Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 14, Shloka 74
Adhyaya 14 — The Messenger of Yama Explains Karmic Retribution and the Causes of Naraka Torments
क्षुत्क्षामास्तृट्पतज्जिह्वातालवो वेदनातुराः ।
दिवामैथुनिनः पापाḥ परदारभुजश्च ये ॥
kṣutkṣāmās tṛṭpatajjihvā-tālavo vedanāturāḥ / divāmaithuninaḥ pāpāḥ paradārabhujaś ca ye
Wasted by hunger, with tongues and palates parched by thirst and afflicted by pain—these sinners who engage in daytime intercourse, and those who enjoy another man’s wife are shown here for punishment.
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FAQs
Sexual conduct is framed as a dharmic responsibility affecting families and social order. Adultery is condemned as harm to another’s household; the imagery underscores desire leading to suffering.
Dharma/karmaphala instruction rather than cosmological lakṣaṇas.
Hunger and thirst symbolize insatiable craving (tṛṣṇā). The ‘dry tongue/palate’ indicates pleasure turning into aridity—desire that cannot truly satisfy.