Shloka 15
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
धर्म आचरित: पुंसां वाङ्मन:कायबुद्धिभि: । लोकान् विशोकान् वतरत्यथानन्त्यमसङ्गिनाम् ॥ १५ ॥
dharma ācaritaḥ puṁsāṁ vāṅ-manaḥ-kāya-buddhibhiḥ lokān viśokān vitaraty athānantyam asaṅginām
Those who practice dharma through word, mind, body, and intelligence are raised to sorrowless realms. Freed from material attachment, they attain unlimited happiness.
The saintly sages herein instruct that the king or head of government should set an example by living a religious life. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, religion means worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should not simply make a show of religious life, but should perform devotional service perfectly with words, mind, body and good intelligence. By doing so, not only will the king or government head rid himself of the contamination of the material modes of nature, but the general public will also, and they will all become gradually elevated to the kingdom of God and go back home, back to Godhead. The instructions given herein serve as a summary of how the head of government should execute his ruling power and thus attain happiness not only in this life but also in the life after death.
FAQs
This verse teaches that dharma must be lived integrally—through speech, mind, body, and intelligence—and that such wholehearted practice carries one beyond sorrow to higher, sorrowless states of existence.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while narrating the events surrounding King Vena and the consequences of irreligion versus true dharma.
Align what you say, think, do, and decide: speak truthfully and kindly, cultivate pure intentions, act ethically, and use discernment—this integrated dharma reduces anxiety and grief and develops genuine detachment.