Shloka 47
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
एवं स निर्विण्णमना नृपो गृहा- न्निशीथ उत्थाय महोदयोदयात् । अलब्धनिद्रोऽनुपलक्षितो नृभि- र्हित्वा गतो वेनसुवं प्रसुप्ताम् ॥ ४७ ॥
evaṁ sa nirviṇṇa-manā nṛpo gṛhān niśītha utthāya mahodayodayāt alabdha-nidro ’nupalakṣito nṛbhir hitvā gato vena-suvaṁ prasuptām
Thus thinking, King Aṅga could not sleep at night and became wholly indifferent to household life. Once, in the dead of night, he rose from his bed, left Vena’s mother (his wife) fast asleep, renounced all attachment to his greatly opulent kingdom, and—unseen by anyone—quietly departed his home and went toward the forest.
In this verse the word mahodayodayāt indicates that by the blessings of a great soul one becomes materially opulent, but when one gives up attachment to material wealth, that should be considered an even greater blessing from the great souls. It was not a very easy task for the King to give up his opulent kingdom and young, faithful wife, but it was certainly a great blessing of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that he could give up the attachment and go out to the forest without being seen by anyone. There are many instances of great souls leaving home in this way in the dead of night, giving up attachment for home, wife and money.
FAQs
This verse depicts a king becoming inwardly disillusioned and leaving his home quietly at midnight—showing how deep dissatisfaction with worldly arrangements can lead one to renunciation and a search for higher purpose.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates the history around King Vena and his family line. Here he describes the king’s sleepless, troubled state and his secret departure from the palace, leaving behind Vena’s mother while she slept.
When conscience is disturbed and peace is lost, external comforts cannot give rest; the Bhagavatam’s remedy is to turn toward dharma and spiritual clarity rather than escaping impulsively or hiding inner turmoil.