Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 21
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
यस्त्विह वै सर्वाभिगमस्तममुत्र निरये वर्तमानं वज्रकण्टकशाल्मलीमारोप्य निष्कर्षन्ति ॥ २१ ॥
yas tv iha vai sarvābhigamas tam amutra niraye vartamānaṁ vajrakaṇṭaka-śālmalīm āropya niṣkarṣanti.
ଯେଉଁ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଏହି ଜଗତରେ ଅବୈଧ ଯୌନ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ରଖେ, ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପରେ ତାକୁ 'ବଜ୍ରକଣ୍ଟକ-ଶାଲ୍ମଲୀ' ନର୍କକୁ ନିଆଯାଏ । ସେଠାରେ ଯମଦୂତମାନେ ତାକୁ ବଜ୍ର ପରି କଠିନ କଣ୍ଟା ଥିବା ଶିମିଳି ଗଛରେ ଚଢାଇ ତଳକୁ ଟାଣନ୍ତି, ଯାହାଦ୍ୱାରା ତା’ର ଶରୀର ବିଦୀର୍ଣ୍ଣ ହୋଇଯାଏ ।
The sexual urge is so strong that sometimes a man indulges in sexual relations with a cow, or a woman indulges in sexual relations with a dog. Such men and women are put into the hell known as Vajrakaṇṭaka-śālmalī. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement forbids illicit sex. From the description of these verses, we can understand what an extremely sinful act illicit sex is. Sometimes people disbelieve these descriptions of hell, but whether one believes or not, everything must be carried out by the laws of nature, which no one can avoid.
FAQs
In Canto 5, Chapter 26, this verse states that a person who illicitly seeks sexual access indiscriminately is taken to a hellish condition and tormented on a thorn-covered śālmalī tree, being raised up and dragged down.
Śukadeva explains the workings of karma to awaken detachment and moral restraint in the listener, showing that irreligious acts have precise reactions and urging a life aligned with dharma and devotion.
Practice self-discipline in relationships, avoid exploitative or illicit conduct, and cultivate purity through regulated life, prayer, and bhakti—redirecting desire toward service of Bhagavān.