Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 25
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
ये त्विह वै दाम्भिका दम्भयज्ञेषु पशून् विशसन्ति तानमुष्मिँल्लोके वैशसे नरके पतितान्निरयपतयो यातयित्वा विशसन्ति ॥ २५ ॥
ye tv iha vai dāmbhikā dambha-yajñeṣu paśūn viśasanti tān amuṣmiḻ loke vaiśase narake patitān niraya-patayo yātayitvā viśasanti.
ଯେଉଁ ଅହଂକାରୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି କେବଳ ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠା ପାଇଁ ଯଜ୍ଞ ନାମରେ ପଶୁବଳି ଦିଏ, ସେ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପରେ 'ବିଶସନ' ନର୍କରେ ପଡେ । ସେଠାରେ ଯମଦୂତମାନେ ତାକୁ ଅସୀମ କଷ୍ଟ ଦେଇ ହତ୍ୟା କରନ୍ତି ।
In Bhagavad-gītā (6.41) Kṛṣṇa says, śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo ’bhijāyate: “Because of his previous connection with bhakti-yoga, a man is born into a prestigious family of brāhmaṇas or aristocrats.” Having taken such a birth, one should utilize it to perfect bhakti-yoga. However, due to bad association one often forgets that his prestigious position has been given to him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he misuses it by performing various kinds of so-called yajñas like Kālī- pūjā or Durgā- pūjā, in which poor animals are sacrificed. How such a person is punished is described herein. The word dambha-yajñeṣu in this verse is significant. If one violates the Vedic instructions while performing yajña and simply makes a show of sacrifice for the purpose of killing animals, he is punishable after death. In Calcutta there are many slaughterhouses where animal flesh is sold that has supposedly been offered in sacrifice before the goddess Kālī. The śāstras enjoin that one can sacrifice a small goat before the goddess Kālī once a month. Nowhere is it said that one can maintain a slaughterhouse in the name of temple worship and daily kill animals unnecessarily. Those who do so receive the punishments described herein.
FAQs
This verse condemns hypocritical, showy sacrifices involving animal slaughter, stating that such killers fall into the hell called Vaiśasa and are tortured and slain there in return.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this in his narration to King Parīkṣit while describing the hellish realms and the karmic results of sinful acts.
Avoid hypocrisy and cruelty in the name of religion; practice compassion and sincere dharma, knowing that violence done for prestige brings severe karmic consequences.