Shloka 12
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
तद्विद्वद्भिरसद्वृत्तो वेनोऽस्माभि: कृतो नृप: । सान्त्वितो यदि नो वाचं न ग्रहीष्यत्यधर्मकृत् । लोकधिक्कारसन्दग्धं दहिष्याम: स्वतेजसा ॥ १२ ॥
tad-vidvadbhir asad-vṛtto veno ’smābhiḥ kṛto nṛpaḥ sāntvito yadi no vācaṁ na grahīṣyaty adharma-kṛt loka-dhikkāra-sandagdhaṁ dahiṣyāmaḥ sva-tejasā
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.
Saintly persons are not interested in political matters, yet they are always thinking of the welfare of the people in general. Consequently they sometimes have to come down to the political field and take steps to correct the misguided government or royalty. However, in Kali-yuga, saintly persons are not as powerful as they previously were. They used to be able to burn any sinful man to ashes by virtue of their spiritual prowess. Now saintly persons have no such power due to the influence of the Age of Kali. Indeed, the brāhmaṇas do not even have the power to perform sacrifices in which animals are put into a fire to attain a new life. Under these circumstances, instead of actively taking part in politics, saintly persons should engage in chanting the mahā-mantra, Hare Kṛṣṇa. By the grace of Lord Caitanya, by simply chanting this Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra the general populace can derive all benefits without political implications.
FAQs
This verse shows that when a ruler persists in adharma and rejects saintly counsel, the brāhmaṇas may act decisively to protect dharma, even using their spiritual potency to stop him.
Because Vena, though installed by them, refused to accept their corrective instruction; as a threat to dharma and society, they resolved to restrain him through brahminical tejas.
Seek and accept wise guidance; rejecting good counsel and persisting in harmful behavior leads to public disrepute and serious consequences.