Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 30
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
अथ च यस्त्विह वा आत्मसम्भावनेन स्वयमधमो जन्मतपोविद्याचारवर्णाश्रमवतो वरीयसो न बहु मन्येत स मृतक एव मृत्वा क्षारकर्दमे निरयेऽवाक्शिरा निपातितो दुरन्ता यातना ह्यश्नुते ॥ ३० ॥
atha ca yas tv iha vā ātma-sambhāvanena svayam adhamo janma-tapo-vidyācāra-varṇāśramavato varīyaso na bahu manyeta sa mṛtaka eva mṛtvā kṣārakardame niraye ’vāk-śirā nipātito durantā yātanā hy aśnute.
生まれや苦行、学識において自分より優れた者に敬意を払わない傲慢で卑劣な者は、生きていても死人のようなものである。死後、彼はクシャーラカルダマ地獄に真っ逆さまに落とされ、そこで多大な苦痛を味わうことになる。
One should not become falsely proud. One must be respectful toward a person more elevated than he by birth, education, behavior, caste or spiritual order. If one does not show respect to such highly elevated persons but indulges in false pride, he receives punishment in Kṣārakardama.
FAQs
This verse states that a proud, fallen person who fails to properly honor those who are genuinely superior in character, learning, austerity, and dharma is “dead while living” and, after death, suffers severe punishment in the hell called Kṣāra-kardama.
In Canto 5, Chapter 26, Śukadeva explains specific karmic reactions and hellish destinations to instruct Parīkṣit Mahārāja on the gravity of sinful tendencies—especially pride and disrespect—and to encourage a dharmic, God-centered life.
Practice humility: respect those who live with integrity and discipline, avoid ego-based comparisons, and cultivate gratitude and service-mindedness—because arrogance and contempt degrade one’s character and lead to painful consequences.