Shloka 20
The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance
हैहयो नहुषो वेणो रावणो नरकोऽपरे । श्रीमदाद् भ्रंशिता: स्थानाद् देवदैत्यनरेश्वरा: ॥ २० ॥
haihayo nahuṣo veṇo rāvaṇo narako ’pare śrī-madād bhraṁśitāḥ sthānād deva-daitya-nareśvarāḥ
హైహయుడు, నహుషుడు, వేణుడు, రావణుడు, నరకుడు మరియు మరెందరో దేవ-దైత్య-మనుష్య రాజులు ఐశ్వర్య మదం వల్ల తమ ఉన్నత స్థానాల నుండి పతనమయ్యారు।
As described by Śrīdhara Svāmī, because Haihaya stole the desire cow of Lord Paraśurāma’s father, Jamadagni, Paraśurāma killed him and his impudent sons. Nahuṣa became puffed up when he temporarily assumed the post of Indra. When out of pride Nahuṣa ordered some brāhmaṇas to carry him in a palanquin to an illicit meeting with Lord Indra’s chaste wife, Śacī, the brāhmaṇas made him fall down from his position and become an old man. King Vena was similarly mad, and when he insulted the brāhmaṇas they killed him by loud incantations of the syllable hum. Rāvaṇa was a famous ruler of the Rākṣasas, but out of lust he kidnapped Mother Sītā, and thus her husband, Lord Rāmacandra, killed him. Naraka was a ruler of the Daityas who dared to steal Mother Aditi’s earrings, and for his offense he was also killed. Thus throughout history powerful leaders have fallen from their positions because they became intoxicated with their so-called opulence.
FAQs
This verse states that many mighty rulers—among gods, demons, and humans—fell from their positions due to the arrogance born of opulence (śrī-mada).
He cites well-known examples to show a universal pattern: when rulers become intoxicated by prosperity and dominance, they lose divine favor and are inevitably brought down.
Treat success as a responsibility, not a license for ego—practice humility, gratitude, and service, remembering that pride in status or possessions leads to inner and outer downfall.