Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 4 Chapter 23:29-39

Book 4: Chapter 23

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 23: Verses 29-39 King Prthu practises asceticism and departs for the other world Maitreya went on : While the wives of the gods were (thus) praising her, Arci (the consort of Prthu) reached the abode of her lord-the realm to which Vena's son, the foremost among the knowers of the Self, who had his mind (ever) fixed on the immortal Lord Visnu, had attained. Such was the glory of the most powerful king Prthu. I have (thus) told you the story of that king of remarkable deeds. Whoever reads with reverence and concentration of mind this story, yielding extraordinary merit, listens to it or narrates it bids fair to attain to the (exalted) state of Prthu (viz., the divine abode of Lord Visnu). A Brahmana (one belonging to the priestly class), reading it, should attain pre-eminence in sacred knowledge, a Ksatriya (a member of the warrior class) should become the ruler of the (whole) world; a Vaisya should become a chief of his clan and a Sudra (one belonging to the artisan and labouring classes) should (by listening to it) acquire pre-eminence (among his own class). A man or a woman thrice listening to it with reverence is blessed with best children, if issueless and becomes the wealthiest if destitute. An obscure person attains good reputation and a dunce turns out to be a learned man. It is a source of good fortune to men and wards off inauspiciousness. Besides bringing wealth, reputation, longevity and heavenly bliss, it wipes out the impurities of the Kali age. By those who are particularly keen to acquire religious merit, wealth, enjoyment and liberation, the story should be listened to with reverence, being the best means of achieving these four (purposes of life). The kings against whom a monarch, out to conquer (lands), marches after listening to this narrative bring tributes before him even as they did before Prthu. Free from attachment to everything else and cherishing unalloyed devotion to the Lord, one should listen to, narrate or read the sacred story of Prthu (the son of Vena). I have told you, O Vidura (son of Vicitravirya), this narrative revealing the Lord's glory. A man fixing his thought thereon should attain to the goal reached by Prthu. A man who, devoid of all attachment, daily listens to or narrates with reverence this story of Prthu develops unflinching devotion to the Lord, whose feet serve as a bark to take one across the ocean of mundane existence. Thus ends the twenty-third discourse in Book Four of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.