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Chapter 13: Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahäräja 3

The Lord appears as a descendant of Dhruva Mahäräja ( ) Hearing Maitreya Åñi describe how Närada glorified the transcendental qualities of Dhruva Mahäräja in a meeting of the Pracetäs, Vidura inquired from Maitreya further about the Pracetäs. He also inquired how Närada Muni glorified the Supreme in that meeting. Maitreya explained, when Mahäräja Dhruva left for the forest; his son, Utkala, completely unattached to the world from birth; did not desire to rule the planet. (Contd) 4

The Lord appears as a descendant of Dhruva Mahäräja (Contd) Thus the family elders and ministers, considering him mad, posted his younger brother, Vatsara, as king. Maitreya Åñi then describes the descendents of King Vatsara and his wife, Svarvéthi, up to King Aìga. The wife of King Aìga, Sunéthä, gave birth to a very crooked son named Vena. The saintly King Aìga, disappointed with Vena's bad character, left home and kingdom for the forest. (Contd) Thus the family elders and ministers, considering him mad, posted his younger brother, Vatsara, as king. Maitreya Åñi then describes the descendents of King Vatsara and his wife, Svarvéthi, up to King Aìga. The wife of King Aìga, Sunéthä, gave birth to a very crooked son named Vena. The saintly King Aìga, disappointed with Vena's bad character, left home and kingdom for the forest. (Contd) 5

The Lord appears as a descendant of Dhruva Mahäräja (Contd) Out of anger great sages cursed King Vena to die. With no king, all the rogues and thieves flourished, and all the citizens suffered greatly. Thus the great sages churned Vena’s body and as a result, Lord Viñëu in His partial representation advented as King Påthu, the original emperor of the world. (Contd) 6

King Vena, Mahäräja Aìga’s irreligious son ( ) Vidura inquired how King Aìga who was a saintly personality got a son, Vena, who was so bad he left his kingdom for the forest. He also asked why the great sages cursed Vena, although the king is usually respected. Maitreya explained that once King Aìga performed the great horse sacrifice, called açvamedha, but no demigods appeared in that sacrifice. (Contd) 7

King Vena, Mahäräja Aìga’s irreligious son (Contd) The priests informed King Aìga that due to sinful activities of his past life the demigods are not participating and also he was sonless. The priests advised him to pray to the Lord for a son and execute the sacrifice for that purpose, and when the Lord appears, all the demigods will come with Him and take their shares in the sacrifice.(Contd) 8

King Vena, Mahäräja Aìga’s irreligious son (Contd) Thus the priests offered oblations to Lord Viñëu, and a person appeared from the fire carrying a golden pot filled with rice boiled in milk. The King took the preparation and offered a portion to his wife. After eating that food the Queen became pregnant by her husband, and gave birth to a son. That boy’s grandfather was death personified, and thus he became a greatly irreligious person. (Contd) Thus the priests offered oblations to Lord Viñëu, and a person appeared from the fire carrying a golden pot filled with rice boiled in milk. The King took the preparation and offered a portion to his wife. After eating that food the Queen became pregnant by her husband, and gave birth to a son. That boy’s grandfather was death personified, and thus he became a greatly irreligious person. (Contd) 9

King Vena, Mahäräja Aìga’s irreligious son (Contd) The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them. Thus Aìga became greatly aggrieved. At first he lamented having a bad son, but ultimately he considered it God’s plan to detach him from household life, and without telling anyone he left for the forest. The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them. Thus Aìga became greatly aggrieved. At first he lamented having a bad son, but ultimately he considered it God’s plan to detach him from household life, and without telling anyone he left for the forest. 10

Chapter 14: The Story of King Vena 11

The sages install and later kill cruel Vena as King ( ) The great sages saw that in the absence of King Aìga, the people would become unregulated. Thus they installed Vena on the throne, although all the ministers disagreed. Vena was known to be very severe and cruel; therefore, all the thieves and rogues in the state hid themselves. Upon ascent to the throne, Vena became too proud. Thinking himself to be greater than anyone, he began to insult great personalities. King Vena forbade brähmaëas to perform all kinds of religious rituals.(Contd) 12

The sages install and later kill cruel Vena as King (Contd) The sages considered that Vena had became the citizens’ enemy. The sages advised Vena to engages the citizens in following the system of varëa and äçrama, and in acts of sacrifice to please the Lord. King Vena retorted that all the demigods, including Lord Viñëu, abide in the body of the king, and therefore the king alone is to be worshiped. Vena requested the sages to abandon their envy of him and to worship him with all paraphernalia. (Contd) King Vena retorted that all the demigods, including Lord Viñëu, abide in the body of the king, and therefore the king alone is to be worshiped. Vena requested the sages to abandon their envy of him and to worship him with all paraphernalia. (Contd) 13

The sages install and later kill cruel Vena as King (Contd) The sages became very angry at him for his blaspheme of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus without using any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words. King Vena’s mother, Sunéthä, aggrieved because of her son’s death, preserved the dead body of her son by applying certain ingredients and by chanting mantras. The sages became very angry at him for his blaspheme of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus without using any weapons, the sages killed King Vena simply by high-sounding words. King Vena’s mother, Sunéthä, aggrieved because of her son’s death, preserved the dead body of her son by applying certain ingredients and by chanting mantras. 14

15 Discussion Points SP’s Mood & Mission (M&M) The relevance for ISKCON of Prabhupäda’s statements, concerning a demoniac government, from the example Mahäräjas Vena. () The relevance for ISKCON of Prabhupäda’s statements, concerning a demoniac government, from the example Mahäräjas Vena. ( , 31, 37, 39-41) Even sinful men (Kirätas) can be elevated to the topmost Vaiñëava platform (14.46) Even sinful men (Kirätas) can be elevated to the topmost Vaiñëava platform (14.46) Personal Application (PeA) Utkala’s realization & behavior ( ) Utkala’s realization & behavior ( ) General principles from King Aìga’s detachment from family life (13.39, 46-47; Group discussion topic) General principles from King Aìga’s detachment from family life (13.39, 46-47; Group discussion topic) Preaching Application (PrA) Significance of producing Prthu Mahäräja’s body from the thighs of Mahäräja Vena (14.43)