Vena was born of king Anga (a descendant of the celebrated devotee Dhruv) and Sunita (a daughter of Mrityu, the god of death).
According to an Indian mythological story, being thus descended from Adharm (the spirit presiding over unrighteousness, the father of Mrityu) on the mother's side, Vena was born with vicious propensities and grew to be the bane of society. Fed up with his atrocities and unable and unable to correct him, king Anga left his capital one night and retired to an unknown destination. Seeing the kingdom masterless Brigu and other sages installed Vena on the throne, even though the ministers were opposed to his installation. Power turned his head all the more and arrogantly accounting himself as greater than all he began to insult exalted souls. He went the length of banning the performance of sacrifices and even charity and thus put a stop to all pious acts and the pursuit of religion.
When the sages perceived that the tyranny of the monarch was overstepping all bounds they felt sorry for having installed him on the throne. They, therefore, met and decided to expostulate with the king and persuade him, if possible, to desist from his evil ways. They further resolved to dispose of him in case he did not come round. The sages approached the king accordingly and admonished him but in vain. This enraged the sages, who killed him by the very sound of 'Hum'.
According to an Indian mythological story, being thus descended from Adharm (the spirit presiding over unrighteousness, the father of Mrityu) on the mother's side, Vena was born with vicious propensities and grew to be the bane of society. Fed up with his atrocities and unable and unable to correct him, king Anga left his capital one night and retired to an unknown destination. Seeing the kingdom masterless Brigu and other sages installed Vena on the throne, even though the ministers were opposed to his installation. Power turned his head all the more and arrogantly accounting himself as greater than all he began to insult exalted souls. He went the length of banning the performance of sacrifices and even charity and thus put a stop to all pious acts and the pursuit of religion.
When the sages perceived that the tyranny of the monarch was overstepping all bounds they felt sorry for having installed him on the throne. They, therefore, met and decided to expostulate with the king and persuade him, if possible, to desist from his evil ways. They further resolved to dispose of him in case he did not come round. The sages approached the king accordingly and admonished him but in vain. This enraged the sages, who killed him by the very sound of 'Hum'.