Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 40
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
तदुपद्रवमाज्ञाय लोकस्य वसु लुम्पताम् । भर्तर्युपरते तस्मिन्नन्योन्यं च जिघांसताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ चोरप्रायं जनपदं हीनसत्त्वमराजकम् । लोकान्नावारयञ्छक्ता अपि तद्दोषदर्शिन: ॥ ४० ॥
tad upadravam ājñāya lokasya vasu lumpatām bhartary uparate tasminn anyonyaṁ ca jighāṁ-satām
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.
The saintly persons and great sages killed King Vena out of emergency, but they did not choose to take part in the government in order to subdue the uprising of thieves and rogues, which took place after the death of King Vena. It is not the duty of brāhmaṇas and saintly persons to kill, although they may sometimes do so in the case of an emergency. They could kill all the thieves and rogues by the prowess of their mantras, but they thought it the duty of kṣatriya kings to do so. Thus they reluctantly did not take part in the killing business.
FAQs
This verse describes how, when the protector is gone, society becomes prey to plunderers and people even turn violent against one another—showing the need for dharmic governance.
It sets the scene after Vena’s downfall: without proper protection and dharma, the citizens suffer robbery and mutual hostility, prompting the sages to act for the welfare of the world.
When leadership and shared moral principles collapse, exploitation and conflict rise; therefore communities should uphold dharma, accountability, and protection of the vulnerable.