Shloka 21
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
तं सर्वलोकामरयज्ञसङ्ग्रहं त्रयीमयं द्रव्यमयं तपोमयम् । यज्ञैर्विचित्रैर्यजतो भवाय ते राजन् स्वदेशाननुरोद्धुमर्हसि ॥ २१ ॥
taṁ sarva-lokāmara-yajña-saṅgrahaṁ trayīmayaṁ dravyamayaṁ tapomayam yajñair vicitrair yajato bhavāya te rājan sva-deśān anuroddhum arhasi
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.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord is the very reservoir and essence of all sacrifices—performed for the worlds and the demigods—and that He is identical with the three Vedas, being worshiped through sacrificial ingredients and austerity.
King Vena was obstructing religious sacrifice and proper worship; the sages warned him to stop restraining his own subjects who were performing yajñas for his welfare and the kingdom’s prosperity.
Offer your work and resources in a spirit of service to God and society (yajña), and support disciplined living (tapas)—rather than blocking or ridiculing sincere spiritual practice in your community.