Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 19
Parīkṣit’s Inquiry into Vṛtrāsura’s Bhakti and the Beginning of Citraketu’s Trial
अपि दारा: प्रजामात्या भृत्या: श्रेण्योऽथ मन्त्रिण: । पौरा जानपदा भूपा आत्मजा वशवर्तिन: ॥ १९ ॥
api dārāḥ prajāmātyā bhṛtyāḥ śreṇyo ’tha mantriṇaḥ paurā jānapadā bhūpā ātmajā vaśa-vartinaḥ
يا أيها الملك: هل زوجاتك، ورعيتك، وكتّابك وخدمك، وكذلك طوائف التجار الذين يبيعون الزيت والتوابل، تحت سلطانك؟ وهل تملك السيطرة التامة على الوزراء، وأهل القصر، وولاة الأقاليم، وأبنائك وسائر التابعين؟
The master or king and his subordinates should be interdependent. Through cooperation, both of them can be happy.
FAQs
This verse shows the king’s dharma: he must ensure the welfare of wives, subjects, administrators, servants, guild leaders, counselors, and both townspeople and villagers—protecting and maintaining social order.
Receiving great sages, Citraketu first inquires about the well-being of all dependent groups in his realm, reflecting royal etiquette and responsibility even amid his inner grief.
Leaders—at home or work—should actively check on the well-being of those they are responsible for: family, teams, advisors, and community, rather than focusing only on personal concerns.