Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 36
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
यस्त्विह वा आढ्याभिमतिरहङ्कृतिस्तिर्यक्प्रेक्षण: सर्वतोऽभिविशङ्की अर्थव्ययनाशचिन्तया परिशुष्यमाणहृदयवदनो निर्वृतिमनवगतो ग्रह इवार्थमभिरक्षति स चापि प्रेत्य तदुत्पादनोत्कर्षणसंरक्षणशमलग्रह: सूचीमुखे नरके निपतति यत्र ह वित्तग्रहं पापपुरुषं धर्मराजपुरुषा वायका इव सर्वतोऽङ्गेषु सूत्रै: परिवयन्ति ॥ ३६ ॥
yas tv iha vā āḍhyābhimatir ahaṅkṛtis tiryak-prekṣaṇaḥ sarvato ’bhiviśaṅkī artha-vyaya-nāśa-cintayā pariśuṣyamāṇa-hṛdaya-vadano nirvṛtim anavagato graha ivārtham abhirakṣati sa cāpi pretya tad-utpādanotkarṣaṇa-saṁrakṣaṇa-śamala-grahaḥ sūcīmukhe narake nipatati yatra ha vitta-grahaṁ pāpa-puruṣaṁ dharmarāja-puruṣā vāyakā iva sarvato ’ṅgeṣu sūtraiḥ parivayanti.
この世で財に驕り、「我こそ富める者、誰が比肩できよう」と慢心し、歪んだ眼で見て四方を疑い、財の費消や滅失を恐れて心も顔も乾ききり、鬼のごとく金を守り抱える者がいる。財を得、増し、守るために犯した罪のゆえに、死後その者は「スーチীমुख（針口）」という地獄に堕ち、閻魔王の使者たちは織工のように全身へ糸を通して縫い合わせ、責め苦を与える。
When one possesses more wealth than necessary, he certainly becomes very proud. This is the situation of men in modern civilization. According to the Vedic culture, brāhmaṇas do not possess anything, whereas kṣatriyas possess riches, but only for performing sacrifices and other noble activities as prescribed in the Vedic injunctions. A vaiśya also earns money honestly through agriculture, cow protection and some trade. If a śūdra gets money, however, he will spend it lavishly, without discrimination, or simply accumulate it for no purpose. Because in this age there are no qualified brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas or vaiśyas, almost everyone is a śūdra ( kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ ). Therefore the śūdra mentality is causing great harm to modern civilization. A śūdra does not know how to use money to render transcendental loving service to the Lord. Money is also called lakṣmī, and Lakṣmī is always engaged in the service of Nārāyaṇa. Wherever there is money, it must be engaged in the service of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Everyone should use his money to spread the great transcendental movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If one does not spend money for this purpose but accumulates more than necessary, he will certainly become proud of the money he illegally possesses. The money actually belongs to Kṛṣṇa, who says in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29) , bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram: “I am the true enjoyer of sacrifices and penances, and I am the owner of all the planets.” Therefore nothing belongs to anyone but Kṛṣṇa. One who possesses more money than he needs should spend it for Kṛṣṇa. Unless one does so, he will become puffed up because of his false possessions, and therefore he will be punished in the next life, as described herein.
FAQs
This verse says that arrogant, suspicious hoarders who obsess over acquiring, increasing, and protecting money lose inner peace and, after death, fall into the hell called Sūcīmukha.
He is explaining the law of karma—how specific sinful mentalities and actions (like obsessive greed and miserliness) lead to corresponding reactions, so Parīkṣit may cultivate detachment and devotion.
Earn honestly, avoid pride and suspicion, don’t obsess over loss, and use wealth in dharmic service—charity, responsibility, and devotion—so money becomes a tool rather than an identity.