Shloka 85
Adhyaya 14 — The Messenger of Yama Explains Karmic Retribution and the Causes of Naraka Torments
Sanskrit
वृकैर्भयङ्करैः पृष्ठं नित्यमस्योपभुज्यते ।
पृष्ठमांसं नृपैतॆन यतो लोकस्य भक्षितम् ॥
Transliteration
vṛkair bhayaṅkaraiḥ pṛṣṭhaṃ nityam asyopabhujyate | pṛṣṭha-māṃsaṃ nṛpaitena yato lokasya bhakṣitam ||
Translation
His back is constantly eaten by terrifying wolves—because this king ate the flesh of the people, namely their ‘back-flesh’ (what should have been protected).
Speakers
Dialogue frame not explicit in the provided excerpt; didactic naraka catalogue.
Key Themes
DharmaRājadharma (kingly duty)Abuse/exploitationKarma and retribution