Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.26.16
Ūti· What drives us to actAuthority Must Not Punish the Innocent
“In his next life, a sinful king or governmental representative who punishes an innocent person, or who inflicts corporal punishment upon a brāhmaṇa, is taken by the Yamadūtas to the hell named Sūkaramukha, where the most powerful assistants of Yamarāja crush him exactly as one crushes sugarcane to squeeze out the juice. The sinful living entity cries very pitiably and faints, just like an innocent man undergoing punishments. This is the result of punishing a faultless person.”
What the purport teaches
- A king or government representative who punishes an innocent person is held responsible. The verse also condemns inflicting corporal punishment upon a brāhmaṇa.
- Such a ruler or official is taken by the Yamadūtas to Sūkaramukha, where powerful assistants of Yamarāja crush him like sugarcane.
- He cries and faints just as an innocent person does under punishment. The verse presents this as the result of punishing someone faultless.
Try this today
Before correcting someone today, check the facts and give that person a chance to explain.
Ask yourself
When I have authority, do I take care not to blame or punish someone innocent?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.