Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 10
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
अव्यक्तवर्त्मैष निगूढकार्योगम्भीरवेधा उपगुप्तवित्त: । अनन्तमाहात्म्यगुणैकधामापृथु: प्रचेता इव संवृतात्मा ॥ १० ॥
avyakta-vartmaiṣa nigūḍha-kāryo gambhīra-vedhā upagupta-vittaḥ ananta-māhātmya-guṇaika-dhāmā pṛthuḥ pracetā iva saṁvṛtātmā
Die Rezitatoren fuhren fort: Niemand wird den Weg der Politik verstehen, den der König einschlagen wird. Auch seine Handlungen werden höchst vertraulich und von tiefer Umsicht sein; es wird unmöglich sein zu wissen, wie er jedes Vorhaben zum Erfolg führt. Sein Schatz bleibt allen verborgen. Pṛthu wird die einzige Wohnstatt unbegrenzter Herrlichkeiten und guter Eigenschaften sein, und wie Varuṇa, die Gottheit der Meere, ringsum von Wasser umhüllt ist, so wird auch seine Stellung bewahrt und verhüllt bleiben, gleich Pracetas, der sein Inneres verschlossen hält.
There is a predominating deity for all the material elements, and Varuṇa, or Pracetā, is the predominating deity of the seas and the oceans. From outward appearances the seas and oceans are devoid of life, but a person acquainted with the sea knows that within the water exist many varieties of life. The king of that underwater kingdom is Varuṇa. Just as no one can understand what is going on beneath the sea, no one could understand what policy King Pṛthu was following to make everything successful. Indeed, King Pṛthu’s path of diplomacy was very grave. His success was made possible because he was a reservoir of unlimited glorified qualities.
FAQs
The verse highlights Pṛthu’s inscrutable yet purposeful conduct, deep discernment, careful stewardship of resources, and restrained, self-contained nature—presenting him as a reservoir of limitless noble qualities.
Because, like the ocean, Pṛthu is deep, difficult to measure, and self-contained—holding vast “treasures” within while remaining outwardly composed and reserved.
Practice measured speech, keep intentions focused rather than advertised, protect time and resources from distraction, and cultivate depth through steady discipline and devotion.