Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 33
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
को वैनं परिचक्षीत वेनमेकमृतेऽशुभम् । प्राप्त ईदृशमैश्वर्यं यदनुग्रहभाजन: ॥ ३३ ॥
ko vainaṁ paricakṣīta venam ekam ṛte ’śubham prāpta īdṛśam aiśvaryaṁ yad-anugraha-bhājanaḥ
Ngoại trừ Vua Vena, kẻ chỉ mang lại điềm gở, ai lại dám báng bổ Đấng Tối Cao, người mà nhờ lòng thương xót của Ngài, con người được ban cho mọi loại may mắn và sự giàu sang?
When human society individually or collectively becomes godless and blasphemes the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is certainly destined for ruination. Such a civilization invites all kinds of bad fortune due to not appreciating the mercy of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse notes that Vena possessed great royal opulence and authority, yet he was marked by a single decisive flaw—inauspicious, irreligious nature—showing that power without dharma is spiritually dangerous.
The verse explains that Vena attained extraordinary rulership because he had become a vessel for higher favor (anugraha), indicating that past merit and providence can elevate a person even if later they misuse that position.
Even if one gains success, status, or influence, one must guard against the “one fault” of adharma—misuse of power—by practicing humility, accountability, and devotion-centered ethics.