Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 14, Shloka 75
Adhyaya 14 — The Messenger of Yama Explains Karmic Retribution and the Causes of Naraka Torments
तथैव कण्टकैर्दीर्घैरायसैः पश्य शाल्मलिम् ।
आरोपिता विभिन्नाङ्गाः प्रभूतासृक्स्रवाविलाः ॥
tathaiva kaṇṭakair dīrghair āyasaiḥ paśya śālmalim / āropitā vibhinnāṅgāḥ prabhūtāsṛkstravāvilāḥ
इसी प्रकार लम्बे लोहे के काँटों वाले शाल्मली वृक्ष को देखो; लोगों को उस पर चढ़ाया जाता है, उनके अंग फट जाते हैं, और वे प्रचुर रक्त-धाराओं से भीगे और लथपथ हो जाते हैं।
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FAQs
The verse uses visceral imagery to deter grave misconduct, stressing that pleasures pursued through harm and transgression culminate in pain proportionate to the offense.
Ethical/karmic (dharma/karmaphala) segment, not a direct instance of the five lakṣaṇas.
The thorn-tree represents the ‘tree of desire’: ascent motivated by craving results in self-wounding at every step. Iron thorns indicate hardened, unyielding consequences.