Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 23
Rahūgaṇa Meets Jaḍa Bharata: The Shaking Palanquin and the Teaching Beyond Body-Identity
शास्ताभिगोप्ता नृपति: प्रजानांय: किङ्करो वै न पिनष्टि पिष्टम् । स्वधर्ममाराधनमच्युतस्ययदीहमानो विजहात्यघौघम् ॥ २३ ॥
śāstābhigoptā nṛpatiḥ prajānāṁ yaḥ kiṅkaro vai na pinaṣṭi piṣṭam sva-dharmam ārādhanam acyutasya yad īhamāno vijahāty aghaugham
হে মহাভাগ! রাজা প্রজাদের শাসক ও রক্ষক; তিনি দাস হয়েও ‘পিষে‑ফেলা জিনিস আবার পিষেন না’, অর্থাৎ নিষ্ফল কর্ম করেন না। রাজা‑প্রজা বা প্রভু‑ভৃত্য সম্পর্ক অনিত্য হলেও, যে ব্যক্তি নিজের স্বধর্ম পালন করে অচ্যুত ভগবানের আরাধনা করে, সে এখানেই পাপসমূহ ত্যাগ করে। অতএব কাউকে জোর করেও কর্তব্যে নিয়োজিত করলে ধর্মাচরণে তার পাপ ক্ষয় হয়।
This argument offered by Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa is certainly very effective. In his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.4), Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says, tasmāt kenāpy upāyena manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet: somehow or other, one should engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Actually every living being is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, but due to forgetfulness, a living entity engages himself as an eternal servant of māyā. As long as one is engaged in māyā’s service, he cannot be happy. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims at engaging people in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s service. That will help them become freed from all material contamination and sinful activity. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.10) : vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhāḥ. By becoming detached from material activities, we will be freed from fear and anger. By austerity, one becomes purified and eligible to return home, back to Godhead. The duty of the king is to rule his citizens in such a way that they can become Kṛṣṇa conscious. This would be very beneficial for everyone. Unfortunately the king or president engages people in sense gratification instead of the Lord’s service, and such activities are certainly not beneficial for anyone. King Rahūgaṇa tried to engage Jaḍa Bharata in carrying the palanquin, which is a form of sense gratification for the King. However, if one is engaged as a palanquin carrier in the Lord’s service, that is certainly beneficial. In this godless civilization, if a president engages people somehow or other in devotional service or the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he renders the very best service to the citizens.
FAQs
This verse says a real king is both chastiser and protector, acting as the Lord’s servant—correcting citizens without needless cruelty or excessive punishment.
It teaches proportionate justice: punishment should reform and protect, not become vindictive—especially when a person is already humbled or corrected.
Do your responsibilities (work, family, leadership, service) as an offering to Acyuta—seeking to please the Lord—so duty becomes worship and purifies past sins.