Shloka 13

King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda

Devanagari script

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

Transliteration

evam adhyavasāyainaṁ munayo gūḍha-manyavaḥ upavrajyābruvan venaṁ sāntvayitvā ca sāmabhiḥ

Translation

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

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus)

• अध्यवसाय: determination/resolve
• अध्यवसाय: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-वि-सो (धातु)
• Form: अधि+वि+सो/सव्-धातोः घञ्-प्रत्ययान्त भाववाचक कृदन्त-नाम (अध्यवसायः = determination/resolve); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (here in compound with एवम्: 'having resolved thus')

• एनम्: him
• एनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गूढमन्यवः: with concealed anger
• गूढमन्यवः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गूढ-मन्यु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (गूढः मन्युः येषाम् = whose anger is concealed)

• उपव्रज्य: having approached
• उपव्रज्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-√व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव कृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive); 'having approached'

• अब्रुवन्: they spoke
• अब्रुवन्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• वेनम्: to Vena
• वेनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सान्त्वयित्वा: having pacified
• सान्त्वयित्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सान्त्वय् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव कृदन्त (Gerund); 'having pacified'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• सामभिः: by conciliatory means/words
• सामभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; here: 'by conciliatory words/means of sāma'

Characters & Entities

• King Vena
• the sages (munis)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how to correct a sinful ruler?

This verse shows the sages first using sāma—calm, conciliatory speech—approaching the ruler respectfully while restraining anger, before delivering firm instruction.

Why did the sages speak gently to King Vena before confronting him?

Because Vena was powerful and proud; the sages concealed their anger and tried to pacify him first so that their dharmic counsel could be heard without immediate hostility.

What is the practical application of this verse in modern life?

When addressing wrongdoing, begin with respectful, calming communication and self-control; then speak truth clearly—especially when guiding leaders, elders, or difficult personalities.