Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 26
King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
विष्णुर्विरिञ्चो गिरिश इन्द्रो वायुर्यमो रवि: । पर्जन्यो धनद: सोम: क्षितिरग्निरपाम्पति: ॥ २६ ॥ एते चान्ये च विबुधा: प्रभवो वरशापयो: । देहे भवन्ति नृपते: सर्वदेवमयो नृप: ॥ २७ ॥
viṣṇur viriñco giriśa indro vāyur yamo raviḥ parjanyo dhanadaḥ somaḥ kṣitir agnir apāmpatiḥ
毗湿奴、梵天、湿婆、因陀罗、风神伐由、阎摩、日神、司雨的帕尔迦尼亚、财宝主俱毗罗、月神苏摩、地主神、火神阿耆尼、水主伐楼那，以及能赐福或降咒的诸天众神——皆住于国王之身；因此国王被称为“具足诸天之体”。
There are many demons who think of themselves as the Supreme and present themselves as the directors of the sun, moon and other planets. This is all due to false pride. Similarly, King Vena developed the demonic mentality and presented himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such demons are numerous in this Age of Kali, and all of them are condemned by great sages and saintly persons.
FAQs
This verse lists major cosmic deities and states they are present within the king’s body—indicating that a true ruler functions as a divinely empowered representative meant to protect and sustain dharma.
In the narrative of Vena and the rise of righteous kingship, Śukadeva explains that kingship is sacred: the ruler is meant to embody universal administration, not personal tyranny.
Leadership should be understood as service and responsibility: a leader must protect, provide, and act with justice—seeing their role as stewardship rather than exploitation.