Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 27
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
ये त्विह वै दस्यवोऽग्निदा गरदा ग्रामान् सार्थान् वा विलुम्पन्ति राजानो राजभटा वा तांश्चापि हि परेत्य यमदूता वज्रदंष्ट्रा: श्वान: सप्तशतानि विंशतिश्च सरभसं खादन्ति ॥ २७ ॥
ye tv iha vai dasyavo ’gnidā garadā grāmān sārthān vā vilumpanti rājāno rāja-bhaṭā vā tāṁś cāpi hi paretya yamadūtā vajra-daṁṣṭrāḥ śvānaḥ sapta-śatāni viṁśatiś ca sarabhasaṁ khādanti.
Los saqueadores que incendian casas o envenenan a otros, y los funcionarios que oprimen a los mercaderes, son enviados tras la muerte al infierno Sārameyādana. Allí, 720 perros con dientes como rayos los devoran vorazmente bajo las órdenes de Yamarāja.
In the Twelfth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, it is said that in this Age of Kali everyone will be extremely disturbed by three kinds of tribulations: scarcity of rain, famine, and heavy taxation by the government. Because human beings are becoming more and more sinful, there will be a scarcity of rain, and naturally no food grains will be produced. On the plea of relieving the suffering caused by the ensuing famine, the government will impose heavy taxes, especially on the wealthy mercantile community. In this verse, the members of such a government are described as dasyu, thieves. Their main activity will be to plunder the wealth of the people. Whether a highway robber or a government thief, such a man will be punished in his next life by being thrown into the hell known as Sārameyādana, where he will suffer greatly from the bites of ferocious dogs.
FAQs
In Canto 5, Chapter 26, this verse states that plunderers—arsonists, poisoners, and robbers of villages or caravans—are taken by Yama’s messengers after death and are violently attacked by 720 ferocious dogs.
Śukadeva explains the workings of karma and Yama’s justice to show that social power (even being a king or royal servant) does not exempt one from the results of adharma, encouraging righteous living and spiritual seriousness.
It warns against harming others for gain—through violence, fraud, poisoning, or exploitation—and teaches accountability: ethical conduct and compassion are essential because actions carry consequences beyond this life.