Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 8
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
सूत उवाच तदादिराजस्य यशो विजृम्भितं गुणैरशेषैर्गुणवत्सभाजितम् । क्षत्ता महाभागवत: सदस्पते कौषारविं प्राह गृणन्तमर्चयन् ॥ ८ ॥
sūta uvāca tad ādi-rājasya yaśo vijṛmbhitaṁ guṇair aśeṣair guṇavat-sabhājitam kṣattā mahā-bhāgavataḥ sadaspate kauṣāraviṁ prāha gṛṇantam arcayan
Sūta Gosvāmī continued: O Śaunaka, leader of the great sages, after hearing Maitreya speak about the various activities of King Pṛthu, the original king, who was fully qualified, glorified and widely praised all over the world, Vidura, the great devotee, very submissively worshiped Maitreya Ṛṣi and asked him the following question.
FAQs
This verse shows that Pṛthu’s fame naturally expands through his unlimited virtues and is celebrated by the assembly of the virtuous, indicating that glorification (kīrtana) of exalted personalities is a sacred act in bhakti culture.
Vidura, described here as a mahā-bhāgavata, addresses Maitreya—the respected leader of the assembly—because Maitreya is a qualified sage to narrate and explain the expanding fame and qualities connected with Pṛthu and the teachings surrounding him.
Approach authentic spiritual teachers with humility, respectful inquiry, and gratitude—hearing and glorifying virtue—so that one’s understanding of dharma and devotion becomes steady and inspired.