Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 2

Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow

Bhūmi as Gauḥ

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणप्रमुखान् वर्णान् भृत्यामात्यपुरोधस: । पौराञ्जानपदान् श्रेणी: प्रकृती: समपूजयत् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

brāhmaṇa-pramukhān varṇān bhṛtyāmātya-purodhasaḥ paurāñ jāna-padān śreṇīḥ prakṛtīḥ samapūjayat

Translation

King Pṛthu thus satisfied and offered all respect to all the leaders of the brāhmaṇas and other castes, to his servants, to his ministers and to the priests, citizens, general countrymen, people from other communities, admirers and others, and thus they all became happy.

Synonyms

• brāhmaṇa-pramukhān: with brāhmaṇas foremost
• brāhmaṇa-pramukhān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + pramukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; ‘having brāhmaṇas as foremost’ qualifying varṇān

• varṇān: the social orders
• varṇān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• bhṛtya-āmātya-purodhasaḥ: servants, ministers, and priests
• bhṛtya-āmātya-purodhasaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhṛtya (प्रातिपदिक) + āmātya (प्रातिपदिक) + purodhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; list of groups

• paurān: townsmen/citizens
• paurān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• jāna-padān: countryfolk/provincials
• jāna-padān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jānapada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• śreṇīḥ: guilds/companies
• śreṇīḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Plural

• prakṛtīḥ: the subjects (people)
• prakṛtīḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prakṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Plural; ‘subjects/constituents of the state’

• samapūjayat: he honored
• samapūjayat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√pūj (पूज् धातु) (तिङन्त)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada; ‘honored’

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about ideal leadership (rajadharma)?

This verse shows that an ideal ruler honors all sections of society—especially brāhmaṇas—along with ministers, priests, citizens, provincial people, and guilds, maintaining harmony among the state’s constituents.

Why is honoring brāhmaṇas mentioned first in this verse?

Because brāhmaṇas represent spiritual and moral guidance in Vedic society; by respecting them first, the king aligns governance with dharma and sacred wisdom.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Practice principled leadership: respect ethical advisors, value every stakeholder (teams, communities, institutions), and govern or manage with fairness rather than favoritism.