Text 15] The Story of King Vena 593

munayah ucuh—the great sages said; nrpa-varya—O best of the kings;
nibodha—kindly try to understand; etat—this; yat—which; te—to you;
vijidpaydma—we shall instruct; bhoh—O King; dyuh—duration of life;
sri—opulences; bala—strength ; kirtinam—good reputation; tava— your; tata—
dear son; vivardhanam—which will increase.

TRANSLATION

The great sages said: Dear King, we have come to give you good advice.
Kindly hear us with great attention. By doing so, your duration of life,
your opulence, strength and reputation will increase.

PURPORT

According to Vedic civilization, in a monarchy the king is advised by
saintly persons and sages. By taking their advice, he can become the great -
est executive power, and everyone in his kingdom will be happy, peaceful
and prosperous. The great kings were very responsible in taking the instruc-
tions given by great saintly personalities. The kings used to accept the
instructions given by great sages like Parasara, Vyasadeva, Narada, Devala,
Asita, etc. In other words, they would first accept the authority of saintly
persons and then execute their monarchical power. Unfortunately, in the
present age of Kali, the head of government does not follow the instruc-
tions given by the saintly persons; therefore neither the citizens nor the
men of government are very happy. Their duration of life is shortened, and
almost everyone is wretched and bereft of bodily strength and spiritual
power. If citizens want to be happy and prosperous in this democratic age,
they should not elect rascals and fools who have no respect for saintly
persons.

TEXT 15
wa matte: gat areraerrgtafy: |
BRRPY faery (TaTeT ATT ATTA | 24
dharma acaritah pumsam
van-manah-ka@ya-buddhibhih
lokan visokan vitaraty
athanantyam asanginam

dharmah-—religious principles; dcaritah—executed; pumsam—to persons;
vak—by words; manah—mind; kdya—body; buddhibhih—and by intelli-
gence; lokan—the planets; visokdn—without misery; vitarati—bestow; atha
—certainly; dnantyam—unlimited happiness, liberation; asanginam—to
those free from material influence.
