Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 36
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
विजयाभिमुखो राजा श्रुत्वैतदभियाति यान् । बलिं तस्मै हरन्त्यग्रे राजान: पृथवे यथा ॥ ३६ ॥
vijayābhimukho rājā śrutvaitad abhiyāti yān baliṁ tasmai haranty agre rājānaḥ pṛthave yathā
বিজয় আৰু ৰাজশক্তি কামনা কৰা ৰজাই ৰথেৰে যাত্ৰা কৰাৰ আগতে যদি পৃথু মহাৰাজৰ কাহিনী তিনিবাৰ পাঠ/জপ কৰে, তেন্তে অধীন ৰজাসকলে স্বয়ং—যেনে পৃথুক দিছিল—তাৰ আদেশমাত্ৰতে কৰ আৰু উপঢৌকন আগবঢ়ায়।
Since a kṣatriya king naturally desires to rule the world, he wishes to make all other kings subordinate to him. This was also the position many years ago when Pṛthu Mahārāja was ruling over the earth. At that time he was the only emperor on this planet. Even five thousand years ago, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and Mahārāja Parīkṣit were the sole emperors of this planet. Sometimes the subordinate kings rebelled, and it was necessary for the emperor to go and chastise them. This process of chanting the narrations of the life and character of Pṛthu Mahārāja is recommended for conquering kings if they want to fulfill their desire to rule the world.
FAQs
This verse shows the king promptly advancing to meet approaching aggressors—an aspect of rāja-dharma, where protection of the realm requires decisive action.
Pṛthu is presented as an ideal sovereign; just as kings once brought tribute to him, the comparison highlights legitimate, dharmic authority recognized by others.
Responsible leadership means facing challenges directly while earning respect through integrity—so that cooperation and support arise naturally, not merely by force.