राजन् king, क्षत्रियेण by a kshatriya, ज्ञानपूर्वम् with prior knowledge, कृतः done, वधः the act of killing, विशेषतः especially, वानप्रस्थे of a forestdweller, वज्रिणम् अपि even if he is wielder of thunderbolt (Indra), स्थानात् from his position, च्वावयेत् would overthrow.

'If a kshatriya kills any one knowingly, particularly when in vanaprastha (third stage) this sin can displace even Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt from his position, O king.