Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91
Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy
ग्रामेषु भूपालवरो यः कुर्यादधिकं करम् । स सहस्त्रकुलो भुङ्क्तेनरकं कल्पपञ्चसु ॥ ९१ ॥
grāmeṣu bhūpālavaro yaḥ kuryādadhikaṃ karam | sa sahastrakulo bhuṅktenarakaṃ kalpapañcasu || 91 ||
Ce roi éminent qui lève un impôt excessif sur les villages—lui, avec mille générations de sa lignée, subit l’enfer durant cinq kalpas.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It frames taxation as a moral act under Rajadharma: exploiting subjects through excessive levies becomes a grave adharma that yields long-term karmic suffering, extending even to one’s lineage.
By implication, devotion is not separate from ethics: a ruler devoted to Dharma (and thus fit for Vishnu-bhakti) must protect subjects and avoid oppression; cruelty and greed obstruct purity needed for devotional life.
It highlights Dharma-shastra style applied governance (Rajadharma) rather than a specific Vedanga; the practical takeaway is calibrated, lawful revenue collection aligned with social welfare and ritual-economic balance.