SB 4.14.38 · Srimad-Bhagavatam

Devanagari

एवं मृशन्त ऋषयो धावतां सर्वतोदिशम् । पांसु: समुत्थितो भूरिश्चोराणामभिलुम्पताम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Verse text

evaṁ mṛśanta ṛṣayo dhāvatāṁ sarvato-diśam pāṁsuḥ samutthito bhūriś corāṇām abhilumpatām

Synonyms

evam — thus ; mṛśantaḥ — while considering ; ṛṣayaḥ — the great saintly persons ; dhāvatām — running ; sarvataḥ — diśam — from all directions ; pāṁsuḥ — dust ; samutthitaḥ — arose ; bhūriḥ — much ; corāṇām — from thieves and rogues ; abhilumpatām — engaged in plundering .

Translation

When the great sages were carrying on their discussion in this way, they saw a dust storm arising from all directions. This storm was caused by the running of thieves and rogues, who were engaged in plundering the citizens.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

While the sages were reflecting thus, great dust from plundering thieves running about arose in all directions. While the sages were reflecting and sitting there, the dust arose.

Purport

Thieves and rogues simply await some political upset in order to take the opportunity to plunder the people in general. To keep thieves and rogues inactive in their profession, a strong government is always required.