Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 1
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
मैत्रेय उवाच दृष्ट्वात्मानं प्रवयसमेकदा वैन्य आत्मवान् । आत्मना वर्धिताशेषस्वानुसर्ग: प्रजापति: ॥ १ ॥ जगतस्तस्थुषश्चापि वृत्तिदो धर्मभृत्सताम् । निष्पादितेश्वरादेशो यदर्थमिह जज्ञिवान् ॥ २ ॥ आत्मजेष्वात्मजां न्यस्य विरहाद्रुदतीमिव । प्रजासु विमन:स्वेक: सदारोऽगात्तपोवनम् ॥ ३ ॥
maitreya uvāca dṛṣṭvātmānaṁ pravayasam ekadā vainya ātmavān ātmanā vardhitāśeṣa- svānusargaḥ prajāpatiḥ
At the last stage of his life, when Mahārāja Pṛthu saw himself getting old, that great soul, who was king of the world, divided whatever opulence he had accumulated amongst all kinds of living entities, moving and nonmoving. He arranged pensions for everyone according to religious principles, and after executing the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in complete coordination with Him, he dedicated his sons unto the earth, which was considered to be his daughter. Then Mahārāja Pṛthu left the presence of his citizens, who were almost lamenting and crying from feeling separation from the King, and went to the forest alone with his wife to perform austerities.
Mahārāja Pṛthu was one of the śaktyāveśa incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such he appeared on the surface of the earth to execute the orders of the Supreme. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord is the proprietor of all planets, and He is always anxious to see that in each and every planet the living entities are happily living and executing their duties. As soon as there is some discrepancy in the execution of duties, the Lord appears on earth, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.7) : yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata.
FAQs
This verse shows that when one recognizes the arrival of old age, a wise person—like King Pṛthu—turns from worldly administration toward detachment and higher spiritual purpose.
Vainya is King Pṛthu, the son of King Vena. He is called Prajāpati because he protected and expanded the citizens and orderly progeny under dharma, acting as a true progenitor-ruler.
Regularly reflect on life’s impermanence, fulfill duties responsibly, and gradually increase spiritual practices (hearing, chanting, and service) so that detachment arises naturally when life’s phases change.