Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Indra’s Brahma-hatyā, Flight from Sin, and Purification by Aśvamedha
तां ददर्शानुधावन्तीं चाण्डालीमिव रूपिणीम् । जरया वेपमानाङ्गीं यक्ष्मग्रस्तामसृक्पटाम् ॥ १२ ॥ विकीर्य पलितान् केशांस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति भाषिणीम् । मीनगन्ध्यसुगन्धेन कुर्वतीं मार्गदूषणम् ॥ १३ ॥
tāṁ dadarśānudhāvantīṁ cāṇḍālīm iva rūpiṇīm jarayā vepamānāṅgīṁ yakṣma-grastām asṛk-paṭām
Indra viu a reação pecaminosa personificada perseguindo-o, parecendo uma mulher caṇḍāla. Ela parecia muito velha, e todos os membros de seu corpo tremiam. Porque ela estava aflita com tuberculose, seu corpo e roupas estavam cobertos de sangue. Respirando um insuportável cheiro de peixe que poluía toda a rua, ela chamou Indra: "Espere! Espere!"
When a person is afflicted with tuberculosis, he often vomits blood, which makes his garments bloody.
FAQs
This verse depicts terrifying, decaying imagery chasing the sinner, illustrating how fear and suffering can arise at death due to sinful karma.
The text uses a stark comparison to convey extreme inauspiciousness, degradation, and dread—symbolizing the sinner’s karmic fate closing in.
Live with restraint and devotion—avoid actions that create future fear and suffering, and cultivate remembrance of the Lord to counter death-anxiety.