Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 13
The Episode of Vena: Pṛthu’s Counsel, Royal Proclamation, and Brahmā’s Boon
एवं शिक्षां प्रदत्वासौ राज्यं भृत्येषु वेनजः । निःक्षिप्य च गतो विप्रास्तपसोर्थे तपोवनम्
evaṃ śikṣāṃ pradatvāsau rājyaṃ bhṛtyeṣu venajaḥ | niḥkṣipya ca gato viprāstapasorthe tapovanam
Sau khi ban lời giáo huấn như vậy, người con của Vena giao phó vương quốc cho các bề tôi; rồi, hỡi các brāhmaṇa, ngài lên đường vào rừng khổ hạnh để thực hành tapas.
Narrator (context not specified in the provided excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: forest
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रदत्वासौ → प्रदत्वा + असौ; विप्रास्तपसोर्थे → विप्राः + तपसः + अर्थे; तपसोर्थे → तपसः + अर्थे (ओ-आदेश sandhi).
FAQs
After giving guidance, Venaja (the son of Vena) hands over royal administration to his attendants and leaves for Tapovana to practice austerities.
It presents a model where instruction and responsible delegation precede renunciation—showing that withdrawal from power should be orderly and duty-aware.
The verse links kingship with accountability: even when a ruler turns toward ascetic life, the realm must be properly entrusted so social order is maintained.