Shloka 25
Kapila’s Analysis of Materialistic Life, Death, and the Path to Hell
Kāla, Karma, and Yamadūtas
आदीपनं स्वगात्राणां वेष्टयित्वोल्मुकादिभि: । आत्ममांसादनं क्वापि स्वकृत्तं परतोऽपि वा ॥ २५ ॥
ādīpanaṁ sva-gātrāṇāṁ veṣṭayitvolmukādibhiḥ ātma-māṁsādanaṁ kvāpi sva-kṛttaṁ parato ’pi vā
Placé au milieu de bûches ardentes, ses membres sont la proie des flammes. Parfois, il est contraint de manger sa propre chair ou d'être dévoré par d'autres.
From this verse through the next three verses the description of punishment will be narrated. The first description is that the criminal has to eat his own flesh, burning with fire, or allow others like himself who are present there to eat. In the last great war, people in concentration camps sometimes ate their own stool, so there is no wonder that in the Yamasādana, the abode of Yamarāja, one who had a very enjoyable life eating others’ flesh has to eat his own flesh.
FAQs
In Canto 3, Kapila-deva describes severe torments in naraka—such as being burned and forced to consume one’s own flesh—to show the terrifying reactions that follow adharma and to inspire repentance and spiritual reform.
Kapila teaches Devahuti the law of karma and its consequences so she (and listeners) develop detachment from sin and material enjoyment, and take up the path of purification and devotion that leads beyond repeated suffering.
Use it as a sober reminder to avoid harmful, exploitative, or addictive behaviors; cultivate self-control, ethical living (dharma), and sincere bhakti practices that cleanse karma and redirect life toward liberation.