Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.26.27
Ūti· What drives us to actAuthority Does Not Excuse Plunder
“In this world, some persons are professional plunderers who set fire to others’ houses or administer poison to them. Also, members of the royalty or government officials sometimes plunder mercantile men by forcing them to pay income tax and by other methods. After death such demons are put into the hell known as Sārameyādana. On that planet there are 720 dogs with teeth as strong as thunderbolts. Under the orders of the agents of Yamarāja, these dogs voraciously devour such sinful people.”
What the purport teaches
- The verse condemns plundering others through arson, poisoning or abuse of government power. Official position does not make theft acceptable.
- The purport describes scarcity of rain, famine and heavy taxation as tribulations in the Age of Kali. It warns of governments using relief from suffering as a pretext to plunder people’s wealth.
- Whether a highway robber or a government thief, a plunderer faces consequences after death. The verse names Sārameyādana as the place of punishment.
Try this today
Review one financial decision today and make sure it does not exploit another person’s difficulty.
Ask yourself
Am I using any position of influence to take unfair advantage of others?
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.