Shloka 29
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
देवा वैधृतयो नाम विधृतेस्तनया नृप । नष्टा: कालेन यैर्वेदा विधृता: स्वेन तेजसा ॥ २९ ॥
devā vaidhṛtayo nāma vidhṛtes tanayā nṛpa naṣṭāḥ kālena yair vedā vidhṛtāḥ svena tejasā
O King, the sons of Vidhṛti, known as the Vaidhṛtis, became demigods. When, in the course of time, Vedic authority was obscured, they upheld and protected it by their own divine power.
In the Tāmasa manvantara there were two kinds of demigods, and one of them was known as the Vaidhṛtis. The duty of the demigods is to protect the authority of the Vedas. The word devatā refers to one who carries the authority of the Vedas, whereas Rākṣasas are those who defy the Vedic authority. If the authority of the Vedas is lost, the entire universe becomes chaotic. Therefore, it is the duty of the demigods, as well as kings and aides of governments, to give full protection to the Vedic authority; otherwise human society will be in a chaotic condition in which there cannot be peace or prosperity.
FAQs
This verse states that when the Vedas became lost over time, the Vaidhṛta demigods preserved and upheld them through their own potency, showing that Vedic knowledge is protected by divine arrangement.
In describing the Manus and the demigod lineages of the period, Shukadeva highlights the Vaidhṛtas’ service of maintaining the Vedas, emphasizing how dharma is sustained across ages.
Treat sacred knowledge as a trust: study authentic scriptures, support preservation efforts (teaching, archiving, recitation), and live the principles so dharma remains ‘upheld’ in society.