Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 4 Chapter 22:42-63

Book 4: Chapter 22

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 22: Verses 42-63 The sage Sanaka and his three brothers impart instruction to king Prthu The king said : Sri Hari, who is (so) kind to the afflicted, showed His grace to me in the first instance . It is in order to bring it to its culminating point, 0 divine sage, that you have all come (here). And compassionate as you are, it has been made fruitful in its entirety by you. What shall I give you (in return for this grace), when everything belonging to me, including myself, has been graciously allowed (as a favour) to me by pious souls? My life, spouse, sons and house with all its appurtenances, kingdom, army, lands and treasury-all this I offer (at your feet as something already belonging to you). He alone who is well-versed in the Vedas and (other) sacred books is competent to command armies, rule over a kingdom, direct policies of war and exercise dominion over all the worlds. A Brahmana eats his own food, wears his own (clothing) and gives away his own (property to others). It is by his sufferance that the Ksatriyas and others eat their food. May you-who are well-versed in the Vedas and have in your abounding compassion precisely explained to us, in the course of your dissertation on the Spirit, the true nature of God as depicted above-may you ever be pleased with your own acts (of delivering the afflicted). Who will make himself a butt of ridicule by presuming to recompense your acts of benevolence? Maitreya continued : Adored by king Prthu (the first constitutional monarch on the earth), and praising his virtuous conduct, those masters of the science of Self-Realization, rose to the heavens, while everyone stood gazing on them. Vena's son, the foremost among exalted souls, who was firmly established in the Self through concentration of mind as a result of the instruction received from them in the science of the Spirit, regarded himself as one who had realized all his ambitions (in life). He performed (all) his duties at the proper time, at the proper place and in the proper way to the best of his ability and resources as an offering to God. Resigning the fruit (of his actions) to God with a concentrated mind, and regarding himself as a witness of (all) actions and beyond (the realm of ) Prakrti, he remained unattached (to everything). While remaining a householder and endowed with imperial fortune, he was free from egotism and conceived no attachment for the objects of sense, even as the sun, though shining on bog etc., does not get daubed with it. Thus duly performing (his) duties at the proper place and time with his mind fixed on the Self, the king begot through (his consort) Arci five sons who came up to his ideals-Vijitaswa, Dhumrakesa, Haryaksa, Dravina and Vrka. A part manifestation of the immortal Lord, Prthu alone manifested at the proper time (special) qualities of all the regional gods for the protection of the created beings of the (whole) world. Delighting the people with his mind, speech and conduct as well as by his charming virtues, he bore the (significant) title of Raja (he who delights) like another moon-god (who is known by the name of king Soma because of his delighting all created beings with his cool rays). Even as the sun drains (in summer) the moisture of the earth, and releases it (during the rains) and radiates heat, so he drew the wealth of the earth (by way of land revenue and other taxes), (freely) distributed it (among the people during famines etc.) and exercised his authority (over the people). He was formidable like fire in splendour and hard to conquer like the great Indra (the lord of paradise), vied with the earth in forbearance, and with the heaven in bestowing on men whatever they sought. Like the god of rain he showered blessings on the people according to their desire, (thereby) gratifying (them all). Like the ocean he was too deep to be understood and in firmness he was a compeer of Mounts Sumeru (the king of mountains). In meting out punishment he was as just as Yama (the god of retribution); in his marvellous acquisitions he resembled the Himalaya mountain. Like Kubera (the god of wealth) he was rich in treasures, and like Varuna (the god of water) he had his wealth well-guarded. Like the wind-god he could move everywhere and matched him in strength (of body), vitality and prowess; while in irresistibility he vied with Lord Siva (the Ruler of the ghosts). In comeliness of form he matched the god of love and was full of spirit as a lion. In paternal affection he equalled Swayambhuva Manu, while in lordship over men he was like Brahma (the birthless creator). In expounding the Vedas he was (another) Brhaspati (the preceptor of the gods), while in self-control he was (as good as) Sri Hari Himself. And in devotion to the cow, the preceptor and the Brahmanas as well as to the votaries of Lord Visnu, and (even so) in modesty, humility and amiability as well as in his efforts for (the benefit of) others he was his own equal (peerless). Through his glory, sung by the people everywhere in the three worlds, he had reached the ears of women even as Sri Rama entered the ears of pious men. Thus ends the twenty-second discourse, forming part of the Story of king Prthu, in Book Four of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.