Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 3
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
श्रुत्वा नृपासनगतं वेनमत्युग्रशासनम् । निलिल्युर्दस्यव: सद्य: सर्पत्रस्ता इवाखव: ॥ ३ ॥
śrutvā nṛpāsana-gataṁ venam atyugra-śāsanam nililyur dasyavaḥ sadyaḥ sarpa-trastā ivākhavaḥ
Es war bereits bekannt, dass Vena äußerst streng und grausam herrschte; daher gerieten Diebe und Schurken im Reich, sobald sie von seiner Thronbesteigung hörten, in große Furcht. Sie versteckten sich sofort hier und dort, wie Ratten sich vor Schlangen verbergen.
When the government is very weak, rogues and thieves flourish. Similarly, when the government is very strong, all the thieves and rogues disappear or hide themselves. Of course Vena was not a very good king, but he was known to be cruel and severe. Thus the state at least became freed from thieves and rogues.
FAQs
This verse shows that Vena’s excessively severe rule created fear; even criminals immediately hid, illustrating the social impact of tyrannical governance.
The comparison emphasizes instant, instinctive fear—just as mice vanish at the presence of a snake, wrongdoers disappeared as soon as they heard of Vena’s harsh punishment.
Power can produce quick outward compliance through fear, but Bhagavatam’s broader teaching encourages leadership grounded in dharma and virtue, not merely intimidation.