Srimad Bhagavatam – day 232
“This ocean called repeated re-births (samsāra) is made up of 6 alligators known as 5 senses and mind. Some persons aspire to conquer it through stringent Yogic austerities. They do not seek shelter under the boatman called Iśwara. It is nearly impossible for such persons to cross this ocean. Therefore use the lotus feet of Lord Srihari as the boat to cross this terrible ocean, from which otherwise there is no escape” said Maharishi Sanat-kumāra, who was a mind born son of Brahma.
In this way Maharishi Sanatkumara preached Self-knowledge. Emperor Prithu glorified him profusely and said, “O Venerable great saint! Lord Srihari, who is compassionate towards the helpless, has already blessed me in the past. You preaching now will enable His grace to flow completely through me.
You are most worthy of worship. You are supremely accomplished. Including this body, everything that is mine has been given to me as a blessing by God. Hence, what is it that I can offer to you? O Mahatma, I offer to You everything that I have i.e. my life, my wife, children, my treasury, my palace, my kingdom, my army and my land.
A scholar who is well-versed in Vedas alone is eligible to hold the positions of commander-in-chief, delivering of justice by punishing the wicked and ruling of the kingdom. Moreover, only that Vedic scholar who is eligible to rule over the three worlds independently enjoys his own food and wears clothes from his own wealth. Irrespective of his wealth and fame, he eats only that much food as destined. He gives away his own wealth in charity. He obtains clothing per his destiny. On the other hand Kshatriya and other classes enjoy luxuries and comforts only due to the blessings of these Vedic Brahmins.
O great saints, you possess limitless compassion under all circumstances. You are exponents in Veda. It is my fortune that you have come and have preached to me the Supreme Essence. You have given me lessons on spirituality. You have thus helped me. May this help that you have done to me bring great joy to you!
Apart from folding my hands and offering obeisance, there is nothing that I can offer you. Not only me, none can ever repay you for the kindness shown and help given by you. The person who seeks to repay you will be a joker”.
Thereafter Emperor Prithu honoured these four Kumāra saints, who were exponents in Self-knowledge. The saints glorified his exemplary character and as everyone was watching them, they left through the path of the skies.
Vena’s son Prithu was the greatest among the great personalities. He established himself in the Self as taught by Maharishi Sanat-kumāra. He believed that he had attained completeness and liberation.
Without transgressing his financial position, his strength and in accordance with the limitations of time and place, he continued to perform meritorious deeds with feelings of total surrender to God. He offered the results of all his actions to God. He gave up the thought ‘I am the doer of the action’ and with absolute concentration performed his duties.
He remained like a witness who is over and above the body, senses and mind. His kingdom was very opulent. Even then he was devoid of the feelings of egoism. Even though he lived a householder’s life amidst all luxuries in his palace, he was unattached to them. Just like the Sun is untouched by objects, he was unattached to any sensory comforts. While remaining established in the Self he dutifully executed the actions specified by the Shastras.
From wife Arci he begot 5 sons viz., Vijitāśva, Dhumraketu, Haryāksha, Draviṇa and Vṛka. Being a partial incarnation of Lord Srihari, Emperor Prithu had in him all the qualities of all the guardian-deities. He protected all the living entities in the creation.
Moon, who is the presiding deity for herbs, is famous as Somayaji. Like him Prithu was always anxious to bring about the well-being of all his citizens and hence with his exemplary qualities he pleased them all. He was said to be a king who was second-best after the Moon.
Through the processes of evaporation and condensation the Sun absorbs water from earth and showers it back as rain. Likewise valourous King Prithu used to collect food grains from earth in form of taxes. He used those taxes for the welfare of the kingdom and its citizens.
In patience he was comparable to Mother Earth. Just as the heaven fulfills all desires, he would fulfill all desires of his citizens. Clouds shower adequate rainfall and satisfy people on earth. Likewise he would ensure that people received wealth in proportion to their desires. In this way he ensured their satisfaction.
It is impossible to know the depth of the ocean. Similarly it was impossible to understand the depths of his mind. In valour, he was like the mountain that does not move even under tremendous pressure. In punishing the wicked he was impartial and intelligent like Yama-dharmaraja, the Lord of death. He was like the wonderous Himalayan Mountains. Like Kubera he was the owner of limitless riches. He would not disclose his future plans until and unless they transformed into suitable actions. In maintaining secrets he was comparable to Varuna.
Wind controls every living being in the form of life-force. It also energizes their mind, body and senses.
Similarly Prithu with his mental strength, bodily strength and with the strength of his senses controlled everyone.
Emperor Prithu’s radiance was unlimited. He was Self-illuminating like Lord Rudra. In beauty he was like Manmatha, the Lord of desires. In gait he was like a lion. He was comparable to Swāyambhuva Manu in the affection shown to his subjects. He ruled like Lord Brahma.
Haraye namah