Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 49
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
अलक्षयन्त: पदवीं प्रजापते- र्हतोद्यमा: प्रत्युपसृत्य ते पुरीम् । ऋषीन् समेतानभिवन्द्य साश्रवो न्यवेदयन् पौरव भर्तृविप्लवम् ॥ ४९ ॥
alakṣayantaḥ padavīṁ prajāpater hatodyamāḥ pratyupasṛtya te purīm ṛṣīn sametān abhivandya sāśravo nyavedayan paurava bhartṛ-viplavam
Als die Bürger trotz aller Suche keine Spur des Königs fanden, waren sie zutiefst enttäuscht und kehrten in die Stadt zurück, wo sich wegen seiner Abwesenheit die großen Weisen des Landes versammelt hatten. Mit Tränen in den Augen erwiesen sie den Rishis Ehrerbietung und berichteten ausführlich, dass sie ihn nirgends finden konnten.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja.”
FAQs
This verse shows the citizens’ representatives returning in despair and reporting the ruler’s calamity to the sages, indicating that in societal breakdown, guidance is sought from saintly authorities grounded in dharma.
Their search for the Prajāpati’s path had failed and their efforts were thwarted; overwhelmed by the ruler’s misfortune, they respectfully informed the sages, who traditionally advise and correct governance.
When leadership fails and efforts seem blocked, respond with humility, seek counsel from wise and principled mentors, and report problems truthfully rather than acting impulsively.