Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 11
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
ये त्विह यथैवामुना विहिंसिता जन्तव: परत्र यमयातनामुपगतं त एव रुरवो भूत्वा तथा तमेव विहिंसन्ति तस्माद्रौरवमित्याहू रुरुरिति सर्पादतिक्रूरसत्त्वस्यापदेश: ॥ ११ ॥
ye tv iha yathaivāmunā vihiṁsitā jantavaḥ paratra yama-yātanām upagataṁ ta eva ruravo bhūtvā tathā tam eva vihiṁsanti tasmād rauravam ity āhū rurur iti sarpād ati-krūra-sattvasyāpadeśaḥ.
若有人在此世因嫉妒而伤害众多众生，死后被阎摩王带往地狱；那些曾被他伤害的众生在彼处化为名为“噜噜”(ruru)的兽类，施以极其惨烈的痛苦。故此地狱称为“劳罗婆”(Raurava)。据说噜噜比蛇更为凶残、怨毒。
According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, the ruru is also known as the bhāra-śṛṅga ( ati-krūrasya bhāra-śṛṅgākhya-sattvasya apadeśaḥ saṁjñā ). Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī confirms this in his Sandarbha: ruru-śabdasya svayaṁ muninaiva ṭīkā-vidhānāl lokeṣv aprasiddha evāyaṁ jantu-viśeṣaḥ. Thus although rurus are not seen in this world, their existence is confirmed in the śāstras.
FAQs
This verse says that those harmed in this world later become ruru-like tormentors in Yama’s realm and inflict the same suffering back upon the offender, which is why that hell is called Raurava.
In Canto 5, Śukadeva explains the consequences of sinful actions—especially cruelty and violence—so Parīkṣit (and listeners) understand karma, fear wrongdoing, and turn toward dharma and devotion.
Practice ahiṁsā—avoid harming others through actions, speech, or exploitation—knowing that cruelty creates severe reactions, while compassion supports spiritual progress.