Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 33
Naraka-varṇana: The Hellish Planets and the Karmic Logic of Punishment
ये त्विह वै भूतान्युद्वेजयन्ति नरा उल्बणस्वभावा यथा दन्दशूकास्तेऽपि प्रेत्य नरके दन्दशूकाख्ये निपतन्ति यत्र नृप दन्दशूका: पञ्चमुखा: सप्तमुखा उपसृत्य ग्रसन्ति यथा बिलेशयान् ॥ ३३ ॥
ye tv iha vai bhūtāny udvejayanti narā ulbaṇa-svabhāvā yathā dandaśūkās te ’pi pretya narake dandaśūkākhye nipatanti yatra nṛpa dandaśūkāḥ pañca-mukhāḥ sapta-mukhā upasṛtya grasanti yathā bileśayān.
那些在今生像嫉妒的毒蛇一样，总是愤怒并给其他众生带来痛苦的人，死后会堕入名为丹达舒卡（Dandaśūka）的地狱。亲爱的国王，在这个地狱里有长着五个或七个头的蛇。这些蛇吞食这些罪人，就像蛇吃老鼠一样。
FAQs
This verse states that those who habitually frighten and torment other beings out of cruelty incur severe karmic reactions and fall into the hell called Daṇḍaśūka, where they are attacked and swallowed by multi-mouthed serpents.
Śukadeva explains the hellish destinations to educate Parīkṣit about karma and dharma—showing how specific sinful tendencies (like cruelty and terrorizing others) lead to specific reactions—so the listener develops detachment from sin and faith in righteous living and devotion.
Avoid causing fear or harm—whether through violence, intimidation, bullying, or abuse—cultivate ahiṁsā and compassion, and align daily conduct with dharma while strengthening devotion, which purifies the heart and redirects one away from cruel habits.