592 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 14

sometimes have to come down to the political field and take steps to
correct the misguided government or royalty. However, in Kali-yuga,
saintly persons are not as powerful as they previously were. They used to
be able to burn any sinful man to ashes by virtue of their spiritual
prowess. Now saintly persons have no such power due to the influence of
the age of Kali. Indeed, the brahmanas do not even have the power to per-
form sacrifices in which animals are put into a fire to attain a new life.
Under these circumstances, instead of actively taking part in politics,
saintly persons should engage in chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.
By the grace of Lord Caitanya, by simply chanting this Hare Krsna maha-
mantra, the general populace can derive all benefits without political
implications.

TEXT 13

ceaeyead | GAA CATT: |
STATI TA Ae Ara aT TATA: 112 311

evam adhyavasayainam
munayo giidha-manyavah
upavrajyabruvan venar
sdntvayitva ca samabhih
evam—thus; adhyavasdya—having decided; enam—him; munayah—the
great sages; gidha-manyavah—concealing their anger; upavrajya—having
approached; abruvan—spoke; venam—to King Vena; sdntvayitva—after
pacifying; ca—also; sémabhih—with sweet words.

TRANSLATION

The great sages, having thus decided, approached King Vena. Concealing
their real anger, they pacified him with sweet words and then spoke as

follows. TEXT 14
OTT FY

qd fawttere fara at
mgteaetaat aa aa feeding U3

munaya iicuh
nrpa-varya nibodhaitad
yat te vijiadpaydma bhoh
ayuh-sri-bala-kirtinam
tava tata vivardhanam
