Canto 4: Creation of the Fourth OrderChapter 14: The Story of King Vena

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.14.7

venasyāvekṣya munayo

durvṛttasya viceṣṭitam

vimṛśya loka-vyasanaḿ

kṛpayocuḥ sma satriṇaḥ

SYNONYMS

venasya — of King Vena; āvekṣya — after observing; munayaḥ — all the great sages; durvṛttasya — of the great rogue; viceṣṭitam — activities; vimṛśya — considering; loka-vyasanam — danger to the people in general; kṛpayā — out of compassion; ūcuḥ — talked; smain the past; satriṇaḥ — the performers of sacrifices.

TRANSLATION

Therefore all the great sages assembled together and, after observing cruel Vena's atrocities, concluded that a great danger and catastrophe was approaching the people of the world. Thus out of compassion they began to talk amongst themselves, for they themselves were the performers of the sacrifices.

PURPORT

Before King Vena was enthroned, all the great sages were very much anxious to see to the welfare of society. When they saw that King Vena was most irresponsible, cruel and atrocious, they again began to think of the welfare of the people. It should be understood that sages, saintly persons and devotees are not unconcerned with the people's welfare. Ordinary karmīs are busy acquiring money for sense gratification, and ordinary jñānīs are socially aloof when they speculate on liberation, but actual devotees and saintly persons are always anxious to see how the people can be made happy both materially and spiritually. Therefore the great sages began to consult one another on how to get out of the dangerous atmosphere created by King Vena.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness