By slaying a Brahmana one undergoes the torments of hell for a thousand years. No one should, therefore, speak ill of a Brahmana or slay him.
सहस्रं चैव वर्षाणां निपत्य नरकं वसेत्॥ तस्मान्नैवावगर्खेत नैव जातु निपातयेत्।