Text 17] The Story of King Vena 595

PURPORT

Formerly, in practically all parts of the world, there were monarchies,
but gradually as monarchy declined from the ideal life of religion to the
godless life of sense gratification, monarchies all over the world were
abolished. However, simply abolishing monarchy and replacing it with
democracy is not sufficient unless the government men are religious and
follow the footsteps of great religious personalities.

TEXT 17
TIT SATAN: TA FT |
THY TT as Taha XT FT AeA 12011

rajann asddhv-amatyebh yas
coradibhyah praja nrpah

raksan yathd balim grhnann
iha pretya ca modate

rajan—O King; asadhu—mischievous; amatyebhyah—from ministers; cora-
ddibhyah—from thieves and rogues; prajah—the citizens; nrpah—the king;
raksan—protecting; yatha—accordingly as; balim—taxes; grhnan—accepting;
tha—in this world; pretya—after death; ca—also; modate—enjoys.

TRANSLATION

The saintly persons continued: When the king protects the citizens from
the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as from thieves and
rogues, he can, by virtue of such pious activities, accept taxes given by his
subjects. Thus a pious king can certainly enjoy himself in this world as well
as in the life after death.

PURPORT

The duty of a pious king is described very nicely in this verse. lis first
and foremost duty is to give protection to the citizens from thieves and
rogues as well as from ministers who are no better than thieves and rogues.
Formerly, ministers were appointed by the king and were not elected.
Consequently, if the king was not very pious or strict, the ministers would
become thieves and rogues and exploit the innocent citizens. It is the
king’s duty to see that there is no increase of thieves and rogues either in
