Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 29
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
यस्त्विह वै विप्रो राजन्यो वैश्यो वा सोमपीथस्तत्कलत्रं वा सुरां व्रतस्थोऽपि वा पिबति प्रमादतस्तेषां निरयं नीतानामुरसि पदाऽऽक्रम्यास्ये वह्निना द्रवमाणं कार्ष्णायसं निषिञ्चन्ति ॥ २९ ॥
yas tv iha vai vipro rājanyo vaiśyo vā soma-pīthas tat-kalatraṁ vā surāṁ vrata-stho ’pi vā pibati pramādatas teṣāṁ nirayaṁ nītānām urasi padākramyāsye vahninā dravamāṇaṁ kārṣṇāyasaṁ niṣiñcanti.
જો કોઈ બ્રાહ્મણ કે તેની પત્ની દારૂ પીવે છે, અથવા ક્ષત્રિય, વૈશ્ય કે વ્રતધારી સોમરસ પીવે છે, તો તેમને 'અયઃપાન' નરકમાં લઈ જવામાં આવે છે. ત્યાં યમદૂતો તેમની છાતી પર પગ મૂકીને તેમના મોઢામાં પીગળેલું ગરમ લોખંડ રેડે છે.
One should not be a brāhmaṇa in name only and engage in all kinds of sinful activities, especially drinking liquor. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas must behave according to the principles of their order. If they fall down to the level of śūdras, who are accustomed to drink liquor, they will be punished as described herein.
FAQs
In Canto 5, Chapter 26, this verse states that those who drink liquor—even out of negligence and even while observing vows—are taken to hell, where they are punished by having molten iron poured into their mouths.
Śukadeva explains the workings of karma and the consequences of sinful actions so that Parīkṣit (and listeners) develop detachment from sin and strengthen commitment to dharma and devotion to the Lord.
It advises sobriety, self-control, and avoiding heedless choices—especially actions that break vows or ethical commitments—while cultivating a life aligned with dharma and bhakti.