Adhyaya 14

Verse 1

मैत्रेय उवाच भृग्वादयस्ते मुनयो लोकानां क्षेमदर्शिन: । गोप्तर्यसति वै नृणां पश्यन्त: पशुसाम्यताम् ॥ १ ॥

Maitreya said: O heroic Vidura, the great sages headed by Bhṛgu always contemplated the welfare of the people. Seeing that, in King Aṅga’s absence, there was no protector of human interests, they understood that without a ruler people would become unregulated, like animals.

Verse 2

वीरमातरमाहूय सुनीथां ब्रह्मवादिन: । प्रकृत्यसम्मतं वेनमभ्यषिञ्चन् पतिं भुव: ॥ २ ॥

Then the sages, learned in Brahman, summoned the Queen Mother Sunīthā. With her consent they enthroned Vena—accepted by the people—and anointed him upon the royal seat as lord of the earth.

Verse 3

श्रुत्वा नृपासनगतं वेनमत्युग्रशासनम् । निलिल्युर्दस्यव: सद्य: सर्पत्रस्ता इवाखव: ॥ ३ ॥

It was already known that Vena’s rule was fierce and cruel; therefore, as soon as the thieves and rogues heard that he had ascended the royal throne, they were struck with fear. They hid themselves here and there, like rats hiding from snakes.

Verse 4

स आरूढनृपस्थान उन्नद्धोऽष्टविभूतिभि: । अवमेने महाभागान् स्तब्ध: सम्भावित: स्वत: ॥ ४ ॥

Ascending the royal throne, he became intoxicated by eight kinds of opulence. Blinded by false prestige, he deemed himself above all and insulted great souls.

Verse 5

एवं मदान्ध उत्सिक्तो निरङ्कुश इव द्विप: । पर्यटन् रथमास्थाय कम्पयन्निव रोदसी ॥ ५ ॥

Blinded by the intoxication of opulence, King Vena mounted his chariot and roamed the kingdom like an uncontrolled elephant, as if making heaven and earth tremble.

Verse 6

न यष्टव्यं न दातव्यं न होतव्यं द्विजा: क्‍वचित् । इति न्यवारयद्धर्मं भेरीघोषेण सर्वश: ॥ ६ ॥

He proclaimed, “O dvijas, no sacrifice is to be performed, no charity given, and no ghee offered.” With kettledrums resounding everywhere, he halted all religious rites.

Verse 7

वेनस्यावेक्ष्य मुनयो दुर्वृत्तस्य विचेष्टितम् । विमृश्य लोकव्यसनं कृपयोचु: स्म सत्रिण: ॥ ७ ॥

Observing the misdeeds of the wicked Vena, the sages—performers of sacrifice—considered that a great calamity was approaching the people. Out of compassion, they conferred among themselves.

Verse 8

अहो उभयत: प्राप्तं लोकस्य व्यसनं महत् । दारुण्युभयतो दीप्ते इव तस्करपालयो: ॥ ८ ॥

Alas, the people faced great peril from both sides—like ants trapped in a log blazing at both ends. On one side stood an irresponsible king, and on the other, thieves and rogues.

Verse 9

अराजकभयादेष कृतो राजातदर्हण: । ततोऽप्यासीद्भयं त्वद्य कथं स्यात्स्वस्ति देहिनाम् ॥ ९ ॥

Thinking to save the state from irregularity, the sages began to consider that it was due to a political crisis that they made Vena king although he was not qualified. But alas, now the people were being disturbed by the king himself. Under such circumstances, how could the people be happy?

Verse 10

अहेरिव पय:पोष: पोषकस्याप्यनर्थभृत् । वेन: प्रकृत्यैव खल: सुनीथागर्भसम्भव: ॥ १० ॥

The sages began to think within themselves: Because he was born from the womb of Sunīthā, King Vena is by nature very mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. Now he has become a source of all difficulties.

Verse 11

निरूपित: प्रजापाल: स जिघांसति वै प्रजा: । तथापि सान्‍त्वयेमामुं नास्मांस्तत्पातकं स्पृशेत् ॥ ११ ॥

We appointed this Vena king of the state in order to give protection to the citizens, but now he has become the enemy of the citizens. Despite all these discrepancies, we should at once try to pacify him. By doing so, we may not be touched by the sinful results caused by him.

Verse 12

तद्विद्वद्‌भिरसद्‍वृत्तो वेनोऽस्माभि: कृतो नृप: । सान्त्वितो यदि नो वाचं न ग्रहीष्यत्यधर्मकृत् । लोकधिक्कारसन्दग्धं दहिष्याम: स्वतेजसा ॥ १२ ॥

The saintly sages continued thinking: Of course, we were completely aware of his mischievous nature, yet we nevertheless enthroned Vena. If we cannot persuade King Vena to accept our advice, he will be condemned by the public, and we will join them. Thus by our prowess we shall burn him to ashes.

Verse 13

एवमध्यवसायैनं मुनयो गूढमन्यव: । उपव्रज्याब्रुवन् वेनं सान्‍त्वयित्वा च सामभि: ॥ १३ ॥

The great sages, having thus decided, approached King Vena. Concealing their real anger, they pacified him with sweet words and then spoke as follows.

Verse 14

मुनय ऊचु: नृपवर्य निबोधैतद्यत्ते विज्ञापयाम भो: । आयु:श्रीबलकीर्तीनां तव तात विवर्धनम् ॥ १४ ॥

The great sages said: “O best of kings, please hear our sacred counsel with full attention. By doing so, dear son, your life span, prosperity, strength, and good fame will surely increase.”

Verse 15

धर्म आचरित: पुंसां वाङ्‍मन:कायबुद्धिभि: । लोकान् विशोकान् वतरत्यथानन्त्यमसङ्गिनाम् ॥ १५ ॥

Those who practice dharma through word, mind, body, and intelligence are raised to sorrowless realms. Freed from material attachment, they attain unlimited happiness.

Verse 16

स ते मा विनशेद्वीर प्रजानां क्षेमलक्षण: । यस्मिन् विनष्टे नृपतिरैश्वर्यादवरोहति ॥ १६ ॥

O mighty hero, therefore do not become the cause of spoiling the people’s spiritual life, the very sign of their welfare. If it is ruined by your deeds, you will surely fall from royal opulence and position.

Verse 17

राजन्नसाध्वमात्येभ्यश्चोरादिभ्य: प्रजा नृप: । रक्षन्यथा बलिं गृह्णन्निह प्रेत्य च मोदते ॥ १७ ॥

O King, when a ruler protects the citizens from wicked ministers and from thieves and rogues, and then accepts taxes (bali) in a righteous way, he rejoices by such piety both in this world and in the next.

Verse 18

यस्य राष्ट्रे पुरे चैव भगवान् यज्ञपूरुष: । इज्यते स्वेन धर्मेण जनैर्वर्णाश्रमान्वितै: ॥ १८ ॥

A king is deemed truly pious when, throughout his realm and cities, the people—situated in varṇa and āśrama—worship Bhagavān, the Yajña-Puruṣa (Śrī Hari), through their own prescribed duties.

Verse 19

तस्य राज्ञो महाभाग भगवान् भूतभावन: । परितुष्यति विश्वात्मा तिष्ठतो निजशासने ॥ १९ ॥

O noble one, when the king sees that within his rule the Supreme Lord Bhagavān—the World-Soul, the nourisher of all beings, and the original cause of the cosmos—is duly worshiped, the Lord becomes satisfied.

Verse 20

तस्मिंस्तुष्टे किमप्राप्यं जगतामीश्वरेश्वरे । लोका: सपाला ह्येतस्मै हरन्ति बलिमाद‍ृता: ॥ २० ॥

When the Lord of lords, the Supreme Ruler of all worlds, is satisfied, what remains unattainable? Therefore the lokapālas—the presiding demigods—and the inhabitants of their realms gladly and reverently offer Him tribute and all paraphernalia of worship.

Verse 21

तं सर्वलोकामरयज्ञसङ्ग्रहं त्रयीमयं द्रव्यमयं तपोमयम् । यज्ञैर्विचित्रैर्यजतो भवाय ते राजन् स्वदेशाननुरोद्धुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥

O King, the Supreme Lord—together with the presiding deities—is the enjoyer of the fruits of all sacrifices in all worlds. He is the very totality of the three Vedas, the owner of all, and the final goal of austerity. Therefore, for your upliftment, you should engage your people in various yajñas and always guide them toward sacrificial offering.

Verse 22

यज्ञेन युष्मद्विषये द्विजातिभि- र्वितायमानेन सुरा: कला हरे: । स्विष्टा: सुतुष्टा: प्रदिशन्ति वाञ्छितं तद्धेलनं नार्हसि वीर चेष्टितुम् ॥ २२ ॥

When the brāhmaṇas, the twice-born, perform sacrifices throughout your kingdom, the demigods—plenary portions of Lord Hari—become fully satisfied and grant you the desired result. Therefore, O hero, do not stop the sacrificial rites; to stop them is to show disrespect to the demigods.

Verse 23

वेन उवाच बालिशा बत यूयं वा अधर्मे धर्ममानिन: । ये वृत्तिदं पतिं हित्वा जारं पतिमुपासते ॥ २३ ॥

King Vena said: Alas, you are truly foolish, taking irreligion to be religion. You are like one who abandons the real husband who maintains her and instead worships a paramour as if he were her lord.

Verse 24

अवजानन्त्यमी मूढा नृपरूपिणमीश्वरम् । नानुविन्दन्ति ते भद्रमिह लोके परत्र च ॥ २४ ॥

Those who, in dull ignorance, slight the Lord who stands in the form of the king and do not worship him, attain no happiness—neither in this world nor in the next.

Verse 25

को यज्ञपुरुषो नाम यत्र वो भक्तिरीद‍ृशी । भर्तृस्‍नेहविदूराणां यथा जारे कुयोषिताम् ॥ २५ ॥

Who, indeed, is this one called “Yajña-puruṣa,” to whom your devotion is so directed? Your attachment to the demigods is like the love of an unchaste woman who turns from her husband and clings to her paramour.

Verse 26

विष्णुर्विरिञ्चो गिरिश इन्द्रो वायुर्यमो रवि: । पर्जन्यो धनद: सोम: क्षितिरग्निरपाम्पति: ॥ २६ ॥ एते चान्ये च विबुधा: प्रभवो वरशापयो: । देहे भवन्ति नृपते: सर्वदेवमयो नृप: ॥ २७ ॥

Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Śiva, Indra, Vāyu, Yama, the sun-god, Parjanya who directs the rains, Kuvera the treasurer, Soma the moon-god, the deity presiding over earth, Agni, Varuṇa lord of waters, and other mighty devas able to bless or curse—all dwell within the king’s body; therefore the king is called ‘composed of all the demigods’.

Verse 27

विष्णुर्विरिञ्चो गिरिश इन्द्रो वायुर्यमो रवि: । पर्जन्यो धनद: सोम: क्षितिरग्निरपाम्पति: ॥ २६ ॥ एते चान्ये च विबुधा: प्रभवो वरशापयो: । देहे भवन्ति नृपते: सर्वदेवमयो नृप: ॥ २७ ॥

Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Śiva, Indra, Vāyu, Yama, the sun-god, Parjanya who directs the rains, Kuvera the treasurer, Soma the moon-god, the deity presiding over earth, Agni, Varuṇa lord of waters, and other mighty devas able to bless or curse—all dwell within the king’s body; therefore the king is called ‘composed of all the demigods’.

Verse 28

तस्मान्मां कर्मभिर्विप्रा यजध्वं गतमत्सरा: । बलिं च मह्यं हरत मत्तोऽन्य: कोऽग्रभुक्पुमान् ॥ २८ ॥

Therefore, O brāhmaṇas, cast off your envy of me; by your ritual acts worship me and bring all offerings to me. Who besides me is superior and fit to receive the first oblations of sacrifice?—thus spoke King Vena.

Verse 29

मैत्रेय उवाच इत्थं विपर्ययमति: पापीयानुत्पथं गत: । अनुनीयमानस्तद्याच्ञां न चक्रे भ्रष्टमङ्गल: ॥ २९ ॥

The great sage Maitreya continued: Thus the King, who became unintelligent due to his sinful life and deviation from the right path, became actually bereft of all good fortune. He could not accept the requests of the great sages, which the sages put before him with great respect, and therefore he was condemned.

Verse 30

इति तेऽसत्कृतास्तेन द्विजा: पण्डितमानिना । भग्नायां भव्ययाच्ञायां तस्मै विदुर चुक्रुधु: ॥ ३० ॥

My dear Vidura, all good fortune unto you. The foolish King, who thought himself very learned, thus insulted the great sages, and the sages, being brokenhearted by the King’s words, became very angry at him.

Verse 31

हन्यतां हन्यतामेष पाप: प्रकृतिदारुण: । जीवञ्जगदसावाशु कुरुते भस्मसाद् ध्रुवम् ॥ ३१ ॥

All the great saintly sages immediately cried: Kill him! Kill him! He is the most dreadful, sinful person. If he lives, he will certainly turn the whole world into ashes in no time.

Verse 32

नायमर्हत्यसद्‍वृत्तो नरदेववरासनम् । योऽधियज्ञपतिं विष्णुं विनिन्दत्यनपत्रप: ॥ ३२ ॥

The saintly sages continued: This impious, impudent man does not deserve to sit on the throne at all. He is so shameless that he even dared insult the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu.

Verse 33

को वैनं परिचक्षीत वेनमेकमृतेऽशुभम् । प्राप्त ईद‍ृशमैश्वर्यं यदनुग्रहभाजन: ॥ ३३ ॥

But for King Vena, who is simply inauspicious, who would blaspheme the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose mercy one is awarded all kinds of fortune and opulence?

Verse 34

इत्थं व्यवसिता हन्तुमृषयो रूढमन्यव: । निजघ्नुर्हुङ्कृतैर्वेनं हतमच्युतनिन्दया ॥ ३४ ॥

Thus the great sages, revealing their hidden wrath, at once resolved to slay the king. By blaspheming Acyuta, Vena was already as good as dead; therefore, without weapons, the sages killed him simply by their thunderous words.

Verse 35

ऋषिभि: स्वाश्रमपदं गते पुत्रकलेवरम् । सुनीथा पालयामास विद्यायोगेन शोचती ॥ ३५ ॥

After the sages returned to their respective hermitages, Sunīthā, Vena’s mother, was overwhelmed with grief at her son’s death. She resolved to preserve his dead body by applying certain ingredients and by mantra-yoga, the chanting of sacred mantras.

Verse 36

एकदा मुनयस्ते तु सरस्वत्सलिलाप्लुता: । हुत्वाग्नीन् सत्कथाश्चक्रुरुपविष्टा: सरित्तटे ॥ ३६ ॥

Once, those same munis bathed in the waters of the Sarasvatī and performed their daily rites by offering oblations into the sacrificial fires. Then, seated on the riverbank, they spoke sacredly of the Supreme Person and His transcendental pastimes.

Verse 37

वीक्ष्योत्थितांस्तदोत्पातानाहुर्लोकभयङ्करान् । अप्यभद्रमनाथाया दस्युभ्यो न भवेद्भुव: ॥ ३७ ॥

In those days many disturbances arose in the land, spreading fear throughout society. Seeing these ominous upheavals, the sages conferred among themselves: Since the king is dead and the world is without a protector, may misfortune not befall the people because of thieves and rogues.

Verse 38

एवं मृशन्त ऋषयो धावतां सर्वतोदिशम् । पांसु: समुत्थितो भूरिश्चोराणामभिलुम्पताम् ॥ ३८ ॥

As the great sages were discussing in this way, they saw a dust storm rising from every direction. It was raised by thieves and rogues running about, intent on plundering the citizens.

Verse 39

तदुपद्रवमाज्ञाय लोकस्य वसु लुम्पताम् । भर्तर्युपरते तस्मिन्नन्योन्यं च जिघांसताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ चोरप्रायं जनपदं हीनसत्त्वमराजकम् । लोकान्नावारयञ्छक्ता अपि तद्दोषदर्शिन: ॥ ४० ॥

The saintly sages understood that, with King Vena’s death, great disorder had arisen among the people. With no ruler, the land became lawless; thieves and rogues surged up, bent on killing one another and plundering the public’s wealth. Though the sages had power to quell the turmoil, they deemed it improper for them to do so and therefore did not restrain it.

Verse 40

तदुपद्रवमाज्ञाय लोकस्य वसु लुम्पताम् । भर्तर्युपरते तस्मिन्नन्योन्यं च जिघांसताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ चोरप्रायं जनपदं हीनसत्त्वमराजकम् । लोकान्नावारयञ्छक्ता अपि तद्दोषदर्शिन: ॥ ४० ॥

In a land without a ruler, the people grew weak and the whole realm became like a country of thieves. Though the sages could have checked the populace by their power, seeing the fault and considering their own dharma, they deemed such intervention improper.

Verse 41

ब्राह्मण: समद‍ृक् शान्तो दीनानां समुपेक्षक: । स्रवते ब्रह्म तस्यापि भिन्नभाण्डात्पयो यथा ॥ ४१ ॥

Though a brāhmaṇa is peaceful and impartial, seeing all with equal vision, it is not his duty to neglect the poor. By such neglect his spiritual potency wanes, as milk leaks from a cracked vessel.

Verse 42

नाङ्गस्य वंशो राजर्षेरेष संस्थातुमर्हति । अमोघवीर्या हि नृपा वंशेऽस्मिन् केशवाश्रया: ॥ ४२ ॥

The sages resolved that the lineage of the saintly King Aṅga should not be cut off, for the kings of this dynasty possess unfailing vigor and, taking shelter of Keśava, are naturally inclined toward devotion to the Lord.

Verse 43

विनिश्चित्यैवमृषयो विपन्नस्य महीपते: । ममन्थुरूरुं तरसा तत्रासीद्बाहुको नर: ॥ ४३ ॥

Having thus decided, the sages churned the thighs of the dead body of King Vena with great force, following a prescribed method. From that churning there appeared a dwarflike man named Bāhuka, born from the king’s body.

Verse 44

काककृष्णोऽतिह्रस्वाङ्गो ह्रस्वबाहुर्महाहनु: । ह्रस्वपान्निम्ननासाग्रो रक्ताक्षस्ताम्रमूर्धज: ॥ ४४ ॥

The person born from King Vena’s thighs was named Bāhuka. His complexion was black like a crow; his limbs were exceedingly short, his arms and legs were short, and his jaws were large. His nose was flat, his eyes reddish, and his hair copper-colored.

Verse 45

तं तु तेऽवनतं दीनं किं करोमीति वादिनम् । निषीदेत्यब्रुवंस्तात स निषादस्ततोऽभवत् ॥ ४५ ॥

Meek and submissive, he bowed and asked, “Sirs, what shall I do?” The great sages replied, “Sit down (niṣīda).” Thus he became known as Niṣāda, the progenitor of the Naiṣāda race.

Verse 46

तस्य वंश्यास्तु नैषादा गिरिकाननगोचरा: । येनाहरज्जायमानो वेनकल्मषमुल्बणम् ॥ ४६ ॥

At the very moment of his birth, Niṣāda took upon himself the heavy burden of the karmic reactions to King Vena’s sins. Therefore the Naiṣāda people tend toward sinful acts such as stealing, plundering, and hunting, and are permitted to dwell only in hills and forests.