> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 4
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > Canto 4 Part 1

> > **************

> > Chapter Fourteen: The Story of King Vena

> > ********

> > TEXT 1

> > maitreya uvaca bhrgv-adayas te munayo

> > lokanam ksema-darsinah

> > goptary asati vai nrnam

> > pasyantah pasu-samyatam

> > maitreyah uvaca--the great sage Maitreya continued; bhrgu-adayah--headed by Bhrgu; te--all of them; munayah--the great sages; lokanam--of the people; ksema-darsinah--who always aspire for the welfare; goptari--the King; asati--being absent; vai--certainly; nrnam--of all the citizens; pasyantah--having understood; pasu-samyatam--existence on the level of the animals.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: O great hero Vidura, the great sages, headed by Bhrgu, were always thinking of the welfare of the people in general. When they saw that in the absence of King Anga there was no one to protect the interests of the people, they understood that without a ruler the people would become independent and nonregulated.

> > ********

> > TEXT 2

> > vira-mataram ahuya

> > sunitham brahma-vadinah

> > prakrty-asammatam venam

> > abhyasincan patim bhuvah

> > vira--of Vena; mataram--mother; ahuya--calling; sunitham--of the name Sunitha; brahma-vadinah--the great sages learned in the Vedas; prakrti--by the ministers; asammatam--not approved of; venam--Vena; abhyasincan--enthroned; patim--the master; bhuvah--of the world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages then called for the Queen Mother, Sunitha, and with her permission they installed Vena on the throne as master of the world. All the ministers, however, disagreed with this.

> > ********

> > TEXT 3

> > srutva nrpasana-gatam

> > venam atyugra-sasanam

> > nililyur dasyavah sadyah

> > sarpa-trasta ivakhavah

> > srutva--after hearing; nrpa--of the King; asana-gatam--ascended to the throne; venam--Vena; ati--very; ugra--severe; sasanam--punisher; nililyuh--hid themselves; dasyavah--all the thieves; sadyah--immediately; sarpa--from snakes; trastah--being afraid; iva--like; akhavah--rats.

> > TRANSLATION

> > It was already known that Vena was very severe and cruel; therefore, as soon as all the thieves and rogues in the state heard of his ascendance to the royal throne, they became very much afraid of him. Indeed, they hid themselves here and there as rats hide themselves from snakes.

> > ********

> > TEXT 4

> > sa arudha-nrpa-sthana

> > unnaddho 'sta-vibhutibhih

> > avamene maha-bhagan

> > stabdhah sambhavitah svatah

> > sah--King Vena; arudha--ascended to; nrpa-sthanah--the seat of the king; unnaddhah--very proud; asta--eight; vibhutibhih--by opulences; avamene--began to insult; maha-bhagan--great personalities; stabdhah--inconsiderate; sambhavitah--considered great; svatah--by himself.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the King ascended to the throne, he became all-powerful with eight kinds of opulences. Consequently he became too proud. By virtue of his false prestige, he considered himself to be greater than anyone. Thus he began to insult great personalities.

> > ********

> > TEXT 5

> > evam madandha utsikto

> > nirankusa iva dvipah

> > paryatan ratham asthaya

> > kampayann iva rodasi

> > evam--thus; mada-andhah--being blind with power; utsiktah--proud; nirankusah--uncontrolled; iva--like; dvipah--an elephant; paryatan--traveling; ratham--a chariot; asthaya--having mounted; kampayan--causing to tremble; iva--indeed; rodasi--the sky and earth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When he became overly blind due to his opulences, King Vena mounted a chariot and, like an uncontrolled elephant, began to travel through the kingdom, causing the sky and earth to tremble wherever he went.

> > ********

> > TEXT 6

> > na yastavyam na datavyam

> > na hotavyam dvijah kvacit

> > iti nyavarayad dharmam

> > bheri-ghosena sarvasah

> > na--not; yastavyam--any sacrifices can be performed; na--not; datavyam--any charity can be given; na--not; hotavyam--any clarified butter can be offered; dvijah--O twice-born; kvacit--at any time; iti--thus; nyavarayat--he stopped; dharmam--the procedures of religious principles; bheri--of kettledrums; ghosena--with the sound; sarvasah--everywhere.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the twice-born [brahmanas] were forbidden henceforward to perform any sacrifice, and they were also forbidden to give charity or offer clarified butter. Thus King Vena sounded kettledrums throughout the countryside. In other words, he stopped all kinds of religious rituals.

> > ********

> > TEXT 7

> > venasyaveksya munayo

> > durvrttasya vicestitam

> > vimrsya loka-vyasanam

> > krpayocuh sma satrinah

> > venasya--of King Vena; aveksya--after observing; munayah--all the great sages; durvrttasya--of the great rogue; vicestitam--activities; vimrsya--considering; loka-vyasanam--danger to the people in general; krpaya--out of compassion; ucuh--talked; sma--in the past; satrinah--the performers of sacrifices.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore all the great sages assembled together and, after observing cruel Vena's atrocities, concluded that a great danger and catastrophe was approaching the people of the world. Thus out of compassion they began to talk amongst themselves, for they themselves were the performers of the sacrifices.

> > ********

> > TEXT 8

> > aho ubhayatah praptam

> > lokasya vyasanam mahat

> > daruny ubhayato dipte

> > iva taskara-palayoh

> > aho--alas; ubhayatah--from both directions; praptam--received; lokasya--of the people in general; vyasanam--danger; mahat--great; daruni--a log; ubhayatah--from both sides; dipte--burning; iva--like; taskara--from thieves and rogues; palayoh--and from the king.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the great sages consulted one another, they saw that the people were in a dangerous position from both directions. When a fire blazes on both ends of a log, the ants in the middle are in a very dangerous situation. Similarly, at that time the people in general were in a dangerous position due to an irresponsible king on one side and thieves and rogues on the other.

> > ********

> > TEXT 9

> > arajaka-bhayad esa

> > krto rajatad-arhanah

> > tato 'py asid bhayam tv adya

> > katham syat svasti dehinam

> > arajaka--being without a king; bhayat--out of fear; esah--this Vena; krtah--was made; raja--the king; a-tat-arhanah--though not qualified for it; tatah--from him; api--also; asit--there was; bhayam--danger; tu--then; adya--now; katham--how; syat--can there be; svasti--happiness; dehinam--of the people in general.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thinking to save the state from irregularity, the sages began to consider that it was due to a political crisis that they made Vena king although he was not qualified. But alas, now the people were being disturbed by the king himself. Under such circumstances, how could the people be happy?

> > ********

> > TEXT 10

> > aher iva payah-posah

> > posakasyapy ana rtha-bhrt

> > venah prakrtyaiva khalah

> > sunitha-garbha-sambhavah

> > aheh--of a snake; iva--like; payah--with milk; posah--the maintaining; posakasya--of the maintainer; api--even; anartha--against the interest; bhrt--becomes; venah--King Vena; prakrtya--by nature; eva--certainly; khalah--mischievous; sunitha--of Sunitha, Vena's mother; garbha--the womb; sambhavah--born of.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sages began to think within themselves: Because he was born from the womb of Sunitha, King Vena is by nature very mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. Now he has become a source of all difficulties.

> > ********

> > TEXT 11

> > nirupitah praja-palah

> > sa jighamsati vai prajah

> > tathapi santvayemamum

> > nasmams tat-patakam sprset

> > nirupitah--appointed; praja-palah--the king; sah--he; jighamsati--desires to harm; vai--certainly; prajah--the citizens; tatha api--nevertheless; santvayema--we should pacify; amum--him; na--not; asman--us; tat--his; patakam--sinful result; sprset--may touch.

> > TRANSLATION

> > We appointed this Vena king of the state in order to give protection to the citizens, but now he has become the enemy of the citizens. Despite all these discrepancies, we should at once try to pacify him. By doing so, we may not be touched by the sinful results caused by him.

> > ********

> > TEXT 12

> > tad-vidvadbhir asad-vrtto

> > veno 'smabhih krto nrpah

> > santvito yadi no vacam

> > na grahisyaty adharma-krt

> > loka-dhikkara-sandagdham

> > dahisyamah sva-tejasa

> > tat--his mischievous nature; vidvadbhih--aware of; asat-vrttah--impious; venah--Vena; asmabhih--by us; krtah--was made; nrpah--king; santvitah--(in spite of) being pacified; yadi--if; nah--our; vacam--words; na--not; grahisyati--he will accept; adharma-krt--the most mischievous; loka-dhik-kara--by public condemnation; sandagdham--burned; dahisyamah--we shall burn; sva-tejasa--by our prowess.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The saintly sages continued thinking: Of course we are completely aware of his mischievous nature. Yet nevertheless we enthroned Vena. If we cannot persuade King Vena to accept our advice, he will be condemned by the public, and we will join them. Thus by our prowess we shall burn him to ashes.

> > ********

> > TEXT 13

> > evam adhyavasayainam

> > munayo gudha-manyavah

> > upavrajyabruvan venam

> > santvayitva ca samabhih

> > evam--thus; adhyavasaya--having decided; enam--him; munayah--the great sages; gudha-manyavah--concealing their anger; upavrajya--having approached; abruvan--spoke; venam--to King Vena; santvayitva--after pacifying; ca--also; samabhih--with sweet words.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages, having thus decided, approached King Vena. Concealing their real anger, they pacified him with sweet words and then spoke as follows.

> > ********

> > TEXT 14

> > munaya ucuh

> > nrpa-varya nibodhaitad

> > yat te vijnapayama bhoh

> > ayuh-sri-bala-kirtinam

> > tava tata vivardhanam

> > munayah ucuh--the great sages said; nrpa-varya--O best of the kings; nibodha--kindly try to understand; etat--this; yat--which; te--to you; vijnapayama--we shall instruct; bhoh--O King; ayuh--duration of life; sri--opulences; bala--strength; kirtinam--good reputation; tava--your; tata--dear son; vivardhanam--which will increase.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages said: Dear King, we have come to give you good advice. Kindly hear us with great attention. By doing so, your duration of life and your opulence, strength and reputation will increase.

> > ********

> > TEXT 15

> > dharma acaritah pumsam

> > van-manah-kaya-buddhibhih

> > lokan visokan vitaraty

> > athanantyam asanginam

> > dharmah--religious principles; acaritah--executed; pumsam--to persons; vak--by words; manah--mind; kaya--body; buddhibhih--and by intelligence; lokan--the planets; visokan--without misery; vitarati--bestow; atha--certainly; anantyam--unlimited happiness, liberation; asanginam--to those free from material influence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those who live according to religious principles and who follow them by words, mind, body and intelligence are elevated to the heavenly kingdom, which is devoid of all miseries. Being thus rid of the material influence, they achieve unlimited happiness in life.

> > ********

> > TEXT 16

> > sa te ma vinased vira

> > prajanam ksema-laksanah

> > yasmin vinaste nrpatir

> > aisvaryad avarohati

> > sah--that spiritual life; te--by you; ma--do not; vinaset--let it be spoiled; vira--O hero; prajanam--of the people; ksema-laksanah--the cause of prosperity; yasmin--which; vinaste--being spoiled; nrpatih--the king; aisvaryat--from opulence; avarohati--falls down.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sages continued: O great hero, for this reason you should not be the cause of spoiling the spiritual life of the general populace. If their spiritual life is spoiled because of your activities, you will certainly fall down from your opulent and royal position.

> > ********

> > TEXT 17

> > rajann asadhv-amatyebhyas

> > coradibhyah praja nrpah

> > raksan yatha balim grhnann

> > iha pretya ca modate

> > rajan--O King; asadhu--mischievous; amatyebhyah--from ministers; cora-adibhyah--from thieves and rogues; prajah--the citizens; nrpah--the king; raksan--protecting; yatha--accordingly as; balim--taxes; grhnan--accepting; iha--in this world; pretya--after death; ca--also; modate--enjoys.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The saintly persons continued: When the king protects the citizens from the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as from thieves and rogues, he can, by virtue of such pious activities, accept taxes given by his subjects. Thus a pious king can certainly enjoy himself in this world as well as in the life after death.

> > ********

> > TEXT 18

> > yasya rastre pure caiva

> > bhagavan yajna-purusah

> > ijyate svena dharmena

> > janair varnasramanvitaih

> > yasya--whose; rastre--in the state or kingdom; pure--in the cities; ca--also; eva--certainly; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yajna-purusah--who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices; ijyate--is worshiped; svena--their own; dharmena--by occupation; janaih--by the people; varna-asrama--the system of eight social orders; anvitaih--who follow.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The king is supposed to be pious in whose state and cities the general populace strictly observes the system of eight social orders of varna and asrama, and where all citizens engage in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead by their particular occupations.

> > ********

> > TEXT 19

> > tasya rajno maha-bhaga

> > bhagavan bhuta-bhavanah

> > paritusyati visvatma

> > tisthato nija-sasane

> > tasya--with him; rajnah--the king; maha-bhaga--O noble one; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhuta-bhavanah--who is the original cause of the cosmic manifestation; paritusyati--becomes satisfied; visva-atma--the Supersoul of the entire universe; tisthatah--being situated; nija-sasane--in his own governing situation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O noble one, if the king sees that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original cause of the cosmic manifestation and the Supersoul within everyone, is worshiped, the Lord will be satisfied.

> > ********

> > TEXT 20

> > tasmims tuste kim aprapyam

> > jagatam isvaresvare

> > lokah sapala hy etasmai

> > haranti balim adrtah

> > tasmin--when He; tuste--is satisfied; kim--what; aprapyam--impossible to achieve; jagatam--of the universe; isva ra-isvare--the controller of the controllers; lokah--the inhabitants of the planets; sapalah--with their presiding deities; hi--for this reason; etasmai--unto Him; haranti--offer; balim--paraphernalia for worship; adrtah--with great pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped by the great demigods, controllers of universal affairs. When He is satisfied, nothing is impossible to achieve. For this reason all the demigods, presiding deities of different planets, as well as the inhabitants of their planets, take great pleasure in offering all kinds of paraphernalia for His worship.

> > ********

> > TEXT 21

> > tam sarva-lokamara-yajna-sangraham

> > trayimayam dravyamayam tapomayam

> > yajnair vicitrair yajato bhavaya te

> > rajan sva-desan anuroddhum arhasi

> > tam--Him; sarva-loka--in all planets; amara--with the predominating deities; yajna--sacrifices; sangraham--who accepts; trayimayam--the sum total of the three Vedas; dravya-mayam--the owner of all paraphernalia; tapah-mayam--the goal of all austerity; yajnaih--by sacrifices; vicitraih--various; yajatah--worshiping; bhavaya--for elevation; te--your; rajan--O King; sva-desan--your countrymen; anuroddhum--to direct; arhasi--you ought.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dear King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with the predominating deities, is the enjoyer of the results of all sacrifices in all planets. The Supreme Lord is the sum total of the three Vedas, the owner of everything, and the ultimate goal of all austerity. Therefore your countrymen should engage in performing various sacrifices for your elevation. Indeed, you should always direct them towards the offering of sacrifices.

> > ********

> > TEXT 22

> > yajnena yusmad-visaye dvijatibhir

> > vitayamanena surah kala hareh

> > svistah sutustah pradisanti vanchitam

> > tad-dhelanam narhasi vira cestitum

> > yajnena--by sacrifice; yusmat--your; visaye--in the kingdom; dvijatibhih--by the brahmanas; vitayamanena--being performed; surah--all the demigods; kalah--expansions; hareh--of the Personality of Godhead; su-istah--being properly worshiped; su-tustah--very much satisfied; pradisanti--will give; vanchitam--desired result; tat-helanam--disrespect to them; na--not; arhasi--you ought; vira--O hero; cestitum--to do.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When all the brahmanas engage in performing sacrifices in your kingdom, all the demigods, who are plenary expansions of the Lord, will be very much satisfied by their activities and will give you your desired result. Therefore, O hero, do not stop the sacrificial performances. If you stop them, you will disrespect the demigods.

> > ********

> > TEXT 23

> > vena uvaca

> > balisa bata yuyam va

> > adharme dharma-maninah

> > ye vrttidam patim hitva

> > jaram patim upasate

> > venah--King Vena; uvaca--replied; balisah--childish; bata--oh; yuyam--all of you; va--indeed; adharme--in irreligious principles; dharma-maninah--accepting as religious; ye--all of you who; vrttidam--providing maintenance; patim--husband; hitva--giving up; jaram--paramour; patim--husband; upasate--worship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Vena replied: You are not at all experienced. It is very much regrettable that you are maintaining something which is not religious and are accepting it as religious. Indeed, I think you are giving up your real husband, who maintains you, and are searching after some paramour to worship.

> > ********

> > TEXT 24

> > avajananty ami mudha

> > nrpa-rupinam isvaram

> > nanuvindanti te bhadram

> > iha loke paratra ca

> > avajananti--disrespect; ami--those (who); mudhah--being ignorant; nrpa-rupinam--in the form of the king; isvaram--the Personality of Godhead; na--not; anuvindanti--experience; te--they; bhadram--happiness; iha--in this; loke--world; paratra--after death; ca--also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those who, out of gross ignorance, do not worship the king, who is actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, experience happiness neither in this world nor in the world after death.

> > ********

> > TEXT 25

> > ko yajna-puruso nama

> > yatra vo bhaktir idrsi

> > bhartr-sneha-viduranam

> > yatha jare kuyositam

> > kah--who (is); yajna-purusah--the enjoyer of all sacrifices; nama--by name; yatra--unto whom; vah--your; bhaktih--devotional service; idrsi--so great; bhartr--for the husband; sneha--affection; vidu-ra--nam--bereft of; yatha--like; jare--unto the paramour; ku-yositam--of unchaste women.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You are so much devoted to the demigods, but who are they? Indeed, your affection for these demigods is exactly like the affection of an unchaste woman who neglects her married life and gives all attention to her paramour.

> > ********

> > TEXT 26-27

> > visnur virinco girisa

> > indro vayur yamo ravih

> > parjanyo dhanadah somah

> > ksitir agnir apampatih

> > ete canye ca vibudhah

> > prabhavo vara-sapayoh

> > dehe bhavanti nrpateh

> > sarva-devamayo nrpah

> > visnuh--Lord Visnu; virincah--Lord Brahma; girisah--Lord Siva; indrah--Lord Indra; vayuh--Vayu, the director of the air; yamah--Yama, the superintendent of death; ravih--the sun-god; parjanyah--the director of rainfall; dhana-dah--Kuvera, the treasurer; somah--the moon-god; ksitih--the predominating deity of the earth; agnih--the fire-god; apam-patih--Varuna, the lord of waters; ete--all these; ca--and; anye--others; ca--also; vibudhah--demigods; prabhavah--competent; vara-sapayoh--in both benediction and curse; dehe--in the body; bhavanti--abide; nrpateh--of the king; sarva-devamayah--comprising all demigods; nrpah--the king.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Lord Visnu; Lord Brahma; Lord Siva; Lord Indra; Vayu, the master of air; Yama, the superintendent of death; the sun-god; the director of rainfall; Kuvera, the treasurer; the moon-god; the predominating deity of the earth; Agni, the fire-god; Varuna, the lord of waters, and all others who are great and competent to bestow benedictions or to curse, all abide in the body of the king. For this reason the king is known as the reservoir of all demigods, who are simply parts and parcels of the king's body.

> > ********

> > TEXT 28

> > tasman mam karmabhir vipra

> > yajadhvam gata-matsarah

> > balim ca mahyam harata

> > matto 'nyah ko 'gra-bhuk puman

> > tasmat--for this reason; mam--me; karmabhih--by ritualistic activities; viprah--O brahmanas; yajadhvam--worship; gata--without; matsarah--being envious; balim--paraphernalia for worship; ca--also; mahyam--unto me; harata--bring; mattah--than me; anyah--other; kah--who (is); agra-bhuk--the enjoyer of the first oblations; puman--personality.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Vena continued: For this reason, O brahmanas, you should abandon your envy of me, and, by your ritualistic activities, you should worship me and offer me all paraphernalia. If you are intelligent, you should know that there is no personality superior to me, who can accept the first oblations of all sacrifices.

> > ********

> > TEXT 29

> > maitreya uvaca

> > ittham viparyaya-matih

> > papiyan utpatham gatah

> > anuniyamanas tad-yacnam

> > na cakre bhrasta-mangalah

> > maitreyah uvaca--Maitreya said; ittham--thus; viparyaya-matih--one who has developed perverse intelligence; papiyan--most sinful; utpatham--from the right path; gatah--having gone; anuniyamanah--being offered all respect; tat-yacnam--the request of the sages; na--not; cakre--accepted; bhrasta--bereft of; mangalah--all good fortune.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus the King, who became unintelligent due to his sinful life and deviation from the right path, became actually bereft of all good fortune. He could not accept the requests of the great sages, which the sages put before him with great respect, and therefore he was condemned.

> > ********

> > TEXT 30

> > iti te 'sat-krtas tena

> > dvijah pandita-manina

> > bhagnayam bhavya-yacnayam

> > tasmai vidura cukrudhuh

> > iti--thus; te--all the great sages; asat-krtah--being insulted; tena--by the King; dvijah--the brahmanas; pandita-manina--thinking himself to be very learned; bhagnayam--being broken; bhavya--auspicious; yacnayam--their request; tasmai--at him; vidura--O Vidura; cukrudhuh--became very angry.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Vidura, all good fortune unto you. The foolish King, who thought himself very learned, thus insulted the great sages, and the sages, being brokenhearted by the King's words, became very angry at him.

> > ********

> > TEXT 31

> > hanyatam hanyatam esa

> > papah prakrti-darunah

> > jivan jagad asav asu

> > kurute bhasmasad dhruvam

> > hanyatam--kill him; hanyatam--kill him; esah--this king; papah--representative of sin; prakrti--by nature; darunah--most dreadful; jivan--while living; jagat--the whole world; asau--he; asu--very soon; kurute--will make; bhasmasat--into ashes; dhruvam--certainly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All the great saintly sages immediately cried: Kill him! Kill him! He is the most dreadful, sinful person. If he lives, he will certainly turn the whole world into ashes in no time.

> > ********

> > TEXT 32

> > nayam arhaty asad-vrtto

> > naradeva-varasanam

> > yo 'dhiyajna-patim visnum

> > vinindaty anapatrapah

> > na--never; ayam--this man; arhati--deserves; asat-vrttah--full of impious activities; nara-deva--of the worldly king or worldly god; vara-asanam--the exalted throne; yah--he who; adhiyajna-patim--the master of all sacrifices; visnum--Lord Visnu; vinindati--insults; anapatrapah--shameless.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu.

> > ********

> > TEXT 33

> > ko vainam paricaksita

> > venam ekam rte 'subham

> > prapta idrsam aisvaryam

> > yad-anugraha-bhajanah

> > kah--who; va--indeed; enam--the Lord; paricaksita--would blaspheme; venam--King Vena; ekam--alone; rte--but for; asubham--inauspicious; praptah--having obtained; idrsam--like this; aisvaryam--opulence; yat--whose; anugraha--mercy; bhajanah--receiving.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But for King Vena, who is simply inauspicious, who would blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose mercy one is awarded all kinds of fortune and opulence?

> > ********

> > TEXT 34

> > ittham vyavasita hantum

> > rsayo rudha-manyavah

> > nijaghnur hunkrtair venam

> > hatam acyuta-nindaya

> > ittham--thus; vyavasitah--decided; hantum--to kill; rsayah--the sages; rudha--manifested; manyavah--their anger; nijaghnuh--they killed; hum-krtaih--by angry words or by sounds of hum; venam--King Vena; hatam--dead; acyuta--against the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nindaya--by blasphemy.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages, thus manifesting their covert anger, immediately decided to kill the King. King Vena was already as good as dead due to his blasphemy against the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus without using any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words.

> > ********

> > TEXT 35

> > rsibhih svasrama-padam

> > gate putra-kalevaram

> > sunitha palayam asa

> > vidya-yogena socati

> > rsibhih--by the sages; sva-asrama-padam--to their own respective hermitages; gate--having returned; putra--of her son; kalevaram--the body; sunitha--Sunitha, the mother of King Vena; palayam asa--preserved; vidya-yogena--by mantra and ingredients; socati--while lamenting.

> > ********

> > TEXT 36

> > ekada munayas te tu

> > sarasvat-salilaplutah

> > hutvagnin sat-kathas cakrur

> > upavistah sarit-tate

> > ekada--once upon a time; munayah--all those great saintly persons; te--they; tu--then; sarasvat--of the River Sarasvati; salila--in the water; aplutah--bathed; hutva--offering oblations; agnin--into the fires; sat-kathah--discussions about transcendental subject matters; cakruh--began to do; upavistah--sitting; sarit-tate--by the side of the river.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Once upon a time, the same saintly persons, after taking their bath in the River Sarasvati, began to perform their daily duties by offering oblations into the sacrificial fires. After this, sitting on the bank of the river, they began to talk about the transcendental person and His pastimes.

> > ********

> > TEXT 37

> > viksyotthitams tadotpatan

> > ahur loka-bhayankaran

> > apy abhadram anathaya

> > dasyubhyo na bhaved bhuvah

> > viksya--having seen; utthitan--developed; tada--then; utpatan--disturbances; ahuh--they began to say; loka--in society; bhayam-karan--causing panic; api--whether; abhadram--misfortune; anathayah--having no ruler; dasyubhyah--from thieves and rogues; na--not; bhavet--may happen; bhuvah--of the world.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In those days there were various disturbances in the country that were creating a panic in society. Therefore all the sages began to talk amongst themselves: Since the King is dead and there is no protector in the world, misfortune may befall the people in general on account of rogues and thieves.

> > ********

> > TEXT 38

> > evam mrsanta rsayo

> > dhavatam sarvato-disam

> > pamsuh samutthito bhuris

> > coranam abhilumpatam

> > evam--thus; mrsantah--while considering; rsayah--the great saintly persons; dhavatam--running; sarvatah-disam--from all directions; pamsuh--dust; samutthitah--arose; bhurih--much; coranam--from thieves and rogues; abhilumpatam--engaged in plundering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When the great sages were carrying on their discussion in this way, they saw a dust storm arising from all directions. This storm was caused by the running of thieves and rogues, who were engaged in plundering the citizens.

> > ********

> > TEXT 39-40

> > tad upadravam ajnaya

> > lokasya vasu lumpatam

> > bhartary uparate tasminn

> > anyonyam ca jighamsatam

> > cora-prayam jana-padam

> > hina-sattvam arajakam

> > lokan navarayan chakta

> > api tad-dosa-darsinah

> > tat--at that time; upadravam--the disturbance; ajnaya--understanding; lokasya--of the people in general; vasu--riches; lumpatam--by those who were plundering; bhartari--the protector; uparate--being dead; tasmin--King Vena; anyonyam--one another; ca--also; jigham-satam--desiring to kill;

> > cora-prayam--full of thieves; jana-padam--the state; hina--bereft of; sattvam--regulation; arajakam--without a king; lokan--the thieves and rogues; na--not; avarayan--they subdued; saktah--able to do so; api--although; tat-dosa--the fault of that; darsinah--considering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Upon seeing the dust storm, the saintly persons could understand that there were a great deal of irregularities due to the death of King Vena. Without government, the state was devoid of law and order, and consequently there was a great uprising of murderous thieves and rogues, who were plundering the riches of the people in general. Although the great sages could subdue the disturbance by their powers--just as they could kill the King--they considered it improper on their part to do so. Thus they did not attempt to stop the disturbance.

> > ********

> > TEXT 41

> > brahmanah sama-drk santo

> > dinanam samupeksakah

> > sravate brahma tasyapi

> > bhinna-bhandat payo yatha

> > brahmanah--a brahmana; sama-drk--equipoised; santah--peaceful; dinanam--the poor; samupeksakah--grossly neglecting; sravate--diminishes; brahma--spiritual power; tasya--his; api--certainly; bhinna-bhandat--from a cracked pot; payah--water; yatha--just as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The great sages began to think that although a brahmana is peaceful and impartial because he is equal to everyone, it is still not his duty to neglect poor humans. By such neglect, a brahmana's spiritual power diminishes, just as water kept in a cracked pot leaks out.

> > ********

> > TEXT 42

> > nangasya vamso rajarser

> > esa samsthatum arhati

> > amogha-virya hi nrpa

> > vamse 'smin kesavasrayah

> > na--not; angasya--of King Anga; vamsah--family line; raja-rseh--of the saintly King; esah--this; samsthatum--to be stopped; arhati--ought; amogha--without sin, powerful; viryah--their semen; hi--because; nrpah--kings; vamse--in the family; asmin--this; kesava--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; asrayah--under the shelter.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The sages decided that the descendants of the family of the saintly King Anga should not be stopped, for in this family the semen was very powerful and the children were prone to become devotees of the Lord.

> > ********

> > TEXT 43

> > viniscityaivam rsayo

> > vipannasya mahipateh

> > mamanthur urum tarasa

> > tatrasid bahuko narah

> > viniscitya--deciding; evam--thus; rsayah--the great sages; vipannasya--dead; mahi-pateh--of the King; mamanthuh--churned; urum--the thighs; tarasa--with specific power; tatra--thereupon; asit--was born; bahukah--of the name Bahuka (dwarf); narah--a person.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After making a decision, the saintly persons and sages churned the thighs of the dead body of King Vena with great force and according to a specific method. As a result of this churning, a dwarf-like person was born from King Vena's body.

> > ********

> > TEXT 44

> > kaka-krsno 'tihrasvango

> > hrasva-bahur maha-hanuh

> > hrasva-pan nimna-nasagro

> > raktaksas tamra-murdhajah

> > kaka-krsnah--as black as a crow; ati-hrasva--very short; angah--his limbs; hrasva--short; bahuh--his arms; maha--big; hanuh--his jaws; hrasva--short; pat--his legs; nimna--flat; nasa-agrah--the tip of his nose; rakta--reddish; aksah--his eyes; tamra--copperlike; murdha jah--his hair.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This person born from King Vena's thighs was named Bahuka, and his complexion was as black as a crow's. All the limbs of his body were very short, his arms and legs were short, and his jaws were large. His nose was flat, his eyes were reddish, and his hair copper-colored.

> > ********

> > TEXT 45

> > tam tu te 'vanatam dinam

> > kim karomiti vadinam

> > nisidety abruvams tata

> > sa nisadas tato 'bhavat

> > tam--unto him; tu--then; te--the sages; avanatam--bowed down; dinam--meek; kim--what; karomi--shall I do; iti--thus; vadinam--inquiring; nisida--just sit down; iti--thus; abruvan--they replied; tata--my dear Vidura; sah--he; nisadah--of the name Nisada; tatah--thereafter; abhavat--became.

> > TRANSLATION

> > He was very submissive and meek, and immediately after his birth he bowed down and inquired, "Sirs, what shall I do?" The great sages replied, "Please sit down [nisida]." Thus Nisada, the father of the Naisada race, was born.

> > ********

> > TEXT 46

> > tasya vamsyas tu naisada

> > giri-kanana-goca rah

> > yenaharaj jayamano

> > vena-kalmasam ulbanam

> > tasya--his (Nisada's); vamsyah--descendants; tu--then; naisadah--called Naisadas; giri-kanana--the hills and forests; gocarah--inhabiting; yena--because; aharat--he took upon himself; jayamanah--being born; vena--of King Vena; kalmasam--all kinds of sin; ulbanam--very fearful.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After his [Nisada's] birth, he immediately took charge of all the resultant actions of King Vena's sinful activities. As such, this Naisada class are always engaged in sinful activities like stealing, plundering and hunting. Consequently they are only allowed to live in the hills and forests.

> > Back to the running text