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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 16: Verses 1-16
Glorification of king Prthu by the bards
Maltreya continued : The minstrels were delighted at heart to hear the sweet words of the king, which they enjoyed as ambrosia. Urged by the sages, however, they began to glorify him (in the following words) as soon as he ceased to speak :--
We are not able to describe Your greatness as You are the foremost among the gods and have (condescended to) come to the world through exercise of a mysterious power of Yours, known as Maya. (It is a fact that) You have arisen from the arms of king Vena, yet Your powers and performances are such that the minds of even (the recognized) masters of speech get perplexed (in trying to describe them). You are a part manifestation of the Supreme Divinity known as Sri Hari, which name has here been changed to Prthu, the accounts of whose glorious deeds are worth hearing; we love to enjoy the same, as they are as good as nectar and want to spread the fame of Your magnificent deeds, as we realize them in our hearts according to the instructions of the sages. "He is the best among those who pursue the paths of righteousness, and will persuade
the people to tread those paths. He is the preserver of the various systems of moral and religious life, the ruler who punishes the antagonists that seek to violate them. Though one, He bears in His own person the bodies of the guardians of the celestial and terrestrial spheres executing the different functions of beneficence-of protection, promotion of peace and happiness and furtherance of the general well-being of both heaven and earth, according to the need, from time to time. He replenishes His royal treasury by collection of revenue when there is time for it and again expends it by free distribution at times of emergency, in the same way as the sun, shining brighter, absorbs water and storing it as vapour for a large part of the year, releases it (abundantly as showers in the rainy season). He is equally good to all living beings and powerful as the sun. He is also like the earth (in his kindness and goodness). The earth is trampled upon by all beings, yet she kindly bestows her benefits on them when they are in distress. She is always compassionate. In the same way, king Prthu (the son of Vena) is ever gracious and beneficent to His subjects in spite of the offences and wrongs done to Him by them, which He forgives (before they ask for His forgiveness). When the god of clouds will not allow them to rain, so that manifold sufferings will be caused to living beings, especially human beings, the king will come forward and, to save all kinds of life, order the clouds to rain asserting His divine power as Indra,, as He is God in the form of a human king. (He is not only like the sun, He is like the moon too.) He delights the world by His shining face, which is an embodiment of ambrosial sweetness--by His bright glances-full of affection and by His lucid smiles, beaming and beautiful. His ways are inscrutable; His deeds are too deep for thought; the purposes His mind pursues are too remote for comprehension. His wealth is well protected. The points of His magnanimity are innumerable; all qualities and attributes concentrate in Him. Prthu is like the divinity of the ocean completely self-contained.
"He is beyond the reach not only of His enemy's arms, but also of the latter's thought. He is overwhelming in His power exercised against His antagonists. He is as if at a great distance when He seems to be near. He is invincible in everyway. He is an incandescent force risen from friction or the body of Vena as fire from wood. Seeing the inner (secret) as well as the outer efforts and actions of men and other beings through spies, He continues to be unaffected as an indifferent super-seer as if He were the inner vital spirit that is there in every living body. He never punishes him who does not deserve to be punished even if he be the son of those who are determined to do harm to His own self; on the other hand, He punishes His own son when found guilty, as He is established in the path of truth and justice. The sphere of the irresistible sway of Prthu, the limit of the advance of His army and the path of the wheels of His chariot will extend from the Manasottara mountain to the whole region over which the sun shines with his rays. He will delight (the various sections of) His subjects by His own (independent) efforts and works, giving full satisfaction as well as fascination to their hearts; so He will be called a Raja (a king in the truest sense of 'he who pleases' ). He is immovable in His promise and purpose, He never deviates from truth, He loves the Vedas and the Brahmanas (those who are devoted to the Vedas); He serves those who are advanced in age; He is ever ready to give shelter to all beings (who are in distress or danger, whoever they be); He knows how to honour others; He is affectionate and compassionate to the poor.
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