Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 25
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
को यज्ञपुरुषो नाम यत्र वो भक्तिरीदृशी । भर्तृस्नेहविदूराणां यथा जारे कुयोषिताम् ॥ २५ ॥
ko yajña-puruṣo nāma yatra vo bhaktir īdṛśī bhartṛ-sneha-vidūrāṇāṁ yathā jāre kuyoṣitām
Qui est donc celui que vous nommez ‘Yajña-puruṣa’ ? Votre dévotion aux demi-dieux ressemble à l’attachement d’une femme infidèle qui délaisse l’amour de son époux pour son amant.
FAQs
Yajña-puruṣa refers to Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Person who is the ultimate enjoyer and presiding Lord of all sacrifices (yajña).
In the narrative, Vena is portrayed as impious and envious of Vedic authority; he derides the brāhmaṇas’ worship of Viṣṇu and mocks their devotion as misplaced.
It warns against cynicism and offense toward sincere devotion; dismissing sacred practice out of pride or envy damages one’s character and spiritual progress.