Shloka 37
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
वीक्ष्योत्थितांस्तदोत्पातानाहुर्लोकभयङ्करान् । अप्यभद्रमनाथाया दस्युभ्यो न भवेद्भुव: ॥ ३७ ॥
vīkṣyotthitāṁs tadotpātān āhur loka-bhayaṅkarān apy abhadram anāthāyā dasyubhyo na bhaved bhuvaḥ
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.
Whenever there is a disturbance in the state, or a panic situation, the property and lives of the citizens become unsafe. This is caused by the uprising of various thieves and rogues. At such a time it is to be understood that the ruler, or the government, is dead. All of these misfortunes happened due to the death of King Vena. Thus the saintly persons became very anxious for the safety of the people in general. The conclusion is that even though saintly persons have no business in political affairs, they are always compassionate upon the people in general. Thus even though they are always aloof from society, out of mercy and compassion they consider how the citizens can peacefully execute their rituals and follow the rules and regulations of varṇāśrama-dharma. That was the concern of these sages. In this Age of Kali, everything is disturbed. Therefore saintly persons should take to the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, as recommended in the śāstras:
FAQs
This verse teaches that when the earth is “without a protector,” society becomes vulnerable to fear, misfortune, and exploitation by lawless people—highlighting the Bhagavatam’s emphasis on dharmic leadership.
Because such portents indicated public danger: without proper protection and governance, the earth could be overrun by plunderers (dasyus) and social order would collapse.
It encourages supporting dharma—through ethical leadership, personal responsibility, and community protection—so that society does not become dominated by exploitation and fear.