Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 38
The Deliverance of King Nṛga and the Warning Against Taking Brāhmaṇa Property
गृह्णन्ति यावत: पांशून् क्रन्दतामश्रुबिन्दव: । विप्राणां हृतवृत्तीनां वदान्यानां कुटुम्बिनाम् ॥ ३७ ॥ राजानो राजकुल्याश्च तावतोऽब्दान्निरङ्कुशा: । कुम्भीपाकेषु पच्यन्ते ब्रह्मदायापहारिण: ॥ ३८ ॥
gṛhṇanti yāvataḥ pāṁśūn krandatām aśru-bindavaḥ viprāṇāṁ hṛta-vṛttīnām vadānyānāṁ kuṭumbinām
Sa dami ng taon na kasingdami ng mga butil ng alikabok na nabasa ng luha ng mapagkawanggawang brāhmaṇa na may pamilyang umaasa at ninakawan ng kabuhayan, ang mga haring walang pagpipigil na umagaw ng ari-arian ng brāhmaṇa, kasama ang kanilang angkan, ay pinakukuluan sa impiyernong Kumbhīpāka.
FAQs
This verse states that those who confiscate or steal a brāhmaṇa’s rightful livelihood incur severe karmic reactions, suffering for as many years as the tear-wet dust they cause, and are punished in Kumbhīpāka.
Śukadeva uses Nṛga’s episode to warn rulers and administrators that even ‘royal’ power cannot excuse injustice—especially against brāhmaṇas—and that such acts lead to hellish consequences like Kumbhīpāka.
Do not exploit or deprive honest, service-minded people of their livelihood; power and position do not remove accountability. Uphold fair dealing, restitution, and humility to avoid creating suffering and heavy karmic debt.