Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 17
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
एतद्वेदितुमिच्छाम: सर्व एव वयं मुने । भगवन्निन्दया वेनो द्विजैस्तमसि पातित: ॥ १७ ॥
etad veditum icchāmaḥ sarva eva vayaṁ mune bhagavan-nindayā veno dvijais tamasi pātitaḥ
Wahai muni agung, kami semua ingin mengetahui sebabnya. Aku mendengar bahwa dahulu raja bernama Vena menghina Bhagavān, sehingga para brāhmaṇa menjatuhkannya ke neraka. Śiśupāla pun seorang penghujat; seharusnya ia juga ke neraka—lalu bagaimana ia justru melebur dalam Tuhan?
FAQs
This verse highlights that blasphemy of the Lord leads to spiritual degradation—symbolized as being thrown into darkness—showing Bhagavan-nindā as a grave offense.
Parīkṣit wants the detailed account and moral lesson: how Vena’s offense against the Lord led the brāhmaṇas to punish him, illustrating the protection of dharma and the seriousness of aparādha.
Avoid criticizing God, scripture, saints, and sincere devotees; cultivate respectful speech, hear Bhāgavatam regularly, and practice humility—these protect one from offenses that block bhakti.