Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 25
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
को यज्ञपुरुषो नाम यत्र वो भक्तिरीदृशी । भर्तृस्नेहविदूराणां यथा जारे कुयोषिताम् ॥ २५ ॥
ko yajña-puruṣo nāma yatra vo bhaktir īdṛśī bhartṛ-sneha-vidūrāṇāṁ yathā jāre kuyoṣitām
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.
FAQs
Yajña-puruṣa refers to Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Person who is the ultimate enjoyer and presiding Lord of all sacrifices (yajña).
In the narrative, Vena is portrayed as impious and envious of Vedic authority; he derides the brāhmaṇas’ worship of Viṣṇu and mocks their devotion as misplaced.
It warns against cynicism and offense toward sincere devotion; dismissing sacred practice out of pride or envy damages one’s character and spiritual progress.