Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 5
Purañjana Goes Hunting — The Chariot of the Body, Violence of Passion, and Return to Conjugal Bondage
आसुरीं वृत्तिमाश्रित्य घोरात्मा निरनुग्रह: । न्यहनन्निशितैर्बाणैर्वनेषु वनगोचरान् ॥ ५ ॥
āsurīṁ vṛttim āśritya ghorātmā niranugrahaḥ nyahanan niśitair bāṇair vaneṣu vana-gocarān
En ese momento, influido por tendencias demoníacas, se volvió de corazón feroz y sin compasión. Con flechas afiladas mató en el bosque a muchos animales inocentes que allí vivían.
When a man becomes too proud of his material position, he tries to enjoy his senses in an unrestricted way, being influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance. He is thus described as asuric, or demoniac. When people are demoniac in spirit, they are not merciful toward the poor animals. Consequently, they maintain various animal slaughterhouses. This is technically called sūnā, or hiṁsā, which means the killing of living beings. In Kali-yuga, due to the increase of the modes of passion and ignorance, almost all men are asuric, or demoniac; therefore they are very much fond of eating flesh, and for this end they maintain various kinds of animal slaughterhouses.
FAQs
This verse describes āsurī vṛtti as a cruel, merciless disposition that harms other beings—an attitude that deepens bondage rather than cultivating dharma and devotion.
In the Purañjana allegory, such hunting-like cruelty illustrates the soul’s fall into harsh, passion-and-ignorance-driven habits, creating karmic reactions and further entanglement.
Avoid cruelty and cultivate compassion—especially toward vulnerable beings—by choosing non-harmful actions, mindful consumption, and a dharmic, devotional lifestyle.