Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 12
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
अन्तर्बहिश्च भूतानां पश्यन् कर्माणि चारणै: । उदासीन इवाध्यक्षो वायुरात्मेव देहिनाम् ॥ १२ ॥
antar bahiś ca bhūtānāṁ paśyan karmāṇi cāraṇaiḥ udāsīna ivādhyakṣo vāyur ātmeva dehinām
King Pṛthu will be able to see all the internal and external activities of every one of his citizens. Still, no one will be able to know his system of espionage, and he himself will remain neutral regarding all matters of glorification or vilification paid to him. He will be exactly like air, the life force within the body, which is exhibited internally and externally but is always neutral to all affairs.
FAQs
This verse says a righteous king may supervise everyone’s activities for protection and justice, yet remain personally detached—like the all-pervading air and like the Supersoul within all beings.
Because he could know what was happening throughout the kingdom and regulate it, while remaining unbiased and unattached—pervading in oversight without becoming entangled.
Do your duty of supervision (at home, work, or community) with fairness and awareness, but avoid ego, favoritism, and personal entanglement in others’ actions.