Bhagavata Purana 4.14.39-40
Srimad Bhagavatam · 14 · Verse 39-40
Sanskrit Original
तदुपद्रवमाज्ञाय लोकस्य वसु लुम्पताम् । भर्तर्युपरते तस्मिन्नन्योन्यं च जिघांसताम् ॥ ३९ ॥ चोरप्रायं जनपदं हीनसत्त्वमराजकम् । लोकान्नावारयञ्छक्ता अपि तद्दोषदर्शिन: ॥ ४० ॥
tad upadravam ājñāya lokasya vasu lumpatām bhartary uparate tasminn anyonyaṁ ca jighāṁ-satām
Upon seeing the dust storm, the saintly persons could understand that there were a great deal of irregularities due to the death of King Vena. Without government, the state was devoid of law and order, and consequently there was a great uprising of murderous thieves and rogues, who were plundering the riches of the people in general. Although the great sages could subdue the disturbance by their powers — just as they could kill the King — they considered it improper on their part to do so. Thus they did not attempt to stop the disturbance.