Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.14.3
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyStrong Government Can Restrain Wrongdoing
“It was already known that Vena was very severe and cruel; therefore, as soon as all the thieves and rogues in the state heard of his ascendance to the royal throne, they became very much afraid of him. Indeed, they hid themselves here and there as rats hide themselves from snakes.”
What the purport teaches
- When government is weak, thieves and rogues flourish. When it is strong, they disappear or hide themselves.
- Vena was already known to be cruel and severe. Hearing that he had become king, thieves and rogues hid like rats afraid of snakes.
- Vena was not a good king, but his severity at least freed the state from thieves and rogues. This benefit did not make him a good ruler.
Try this today
When evaluating someone’s leadership today, distinguish one useful result from their overall conduct.
Ask yourself
Can I recognize a useful result without overlooking the faults of the person responsible?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.