FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.14.10

अहेरिव पय:पोष: पोषकस्याप्यनर्थभृत् । वेन: प्रकृत्यैव खल: सुनीथागर्भसम्भव: ॥ १० ॥
aher iva payaḥ-poṣaḥ
[aher iva payah-poshah]
poṣakasyāpy anartha-bhṛt
[poshakasyaapy anartha-bhrit]
venaḥ prakṛtyaiva khalaḥ
[venah prakrityaiva khalah]
sunīthā-garbha-sambhavaḥ
[suneethaa-garbha-sambhavah]
aheḥ — of a snake iva — like payaḥ — with milk poṣaḥ — the maintaining poṣakasya — of the maintainer api — even anartha — against the interest bhṛt — becomes venaḥ — King Vena prakṛtyā — by nature eva — certainly khalaḥ — mischievous sunīthā — of Sunīthā, Vena’s mother garbha — the womb sambhavaḥ — born of.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
aher iva payaḥ-poṣaḥ
aheḥ
of a snake
iva
like
payaḥ
with milk
poṣaḥ
the maintaining
poṣakasyāpy anartha-bhṛt
poṣakasya
of the maintainer
api
even
anartha
against the interest
bhṛt
becomes
venaḥ prakṛtyaiva khalaḥ
venaḥ
King Vena
prakṛtyā
by nature
eva
certainly
khalaḥ
mischievous
sunīthā-garbha-sambhavaḥ
sunīthā
of Sunīthā, Vena’s mother
garbha
the womb
sambhavaḥ
born of.
The sages began to think within themselves: Because he was born from the womb of Sunīthā, King Vena is by nature very mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. Now he has become a source of all difficulties.

Saintly persons are generally aloof from social activities and the materialistic way of life. King Vena was supported by the saintly persons just to protect the citizens from the hands of rogues and thieves, but after his ascendance to the throne, he became a source of trouble to the sages. Saintly people are especially interested in performing sacrifices and austerities for the advancement of spiritual life, but Vena, instead of being obliged because of the saints’ mercy, turned out to be their enemy because he prohibited them from executing their ordinary duties. A serpent who is maintained with milk and bananas simply stores poison in his teeth and awaits the day to bite his master.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
By nature Vena is wicked, being born from the womb of Sunīthā. He is like a snake nourished by milk, which is a cause of danger for its maintainer. What to speak of being a danger to the citizens! We have made him the King but he now punishes us by announcing that we cannot perform sacrifice.
Maintaining Vena was like feeding milk to a snake — the very thing supported turns and bites. Some people genuinely cannot be supported into goodness; sustenance just amplifies their venom.
Reflection Questions
  • Whom am I 'feeding milk' that uses my support to do more harm?
  • Where do I confuse my role as helper with my role as enabler?
📝 My note

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