Shloka 20
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
अयं भुवो मण्डलमोदयाद्रे-र्गोप्तैकवीरो नरदेवनाथ: । आस्थाय जैत्रं रथमात्तचाप:पर्यस्यते दक्षिणतो यथार्क: ॥ २० ॥
ayaṁ bhuvo maṇḍalam odayādrer goptaika-vīro naradeva-nāthaḥ āsthāya jaitraṁ ratham ātta-cāpaḥ paryasyate dakṣiṇato yathārkaḥ
This king, the sole heroic guardian of the earth, will have no rival. Riding his victorious chariot with his invincible bow in hand, he will circle the globe like the sun moving on its course from the south.
In this verse the word yathārkaḥ indicates that the sun is not fixed but is rotating in its orbit, which is set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā and also in other parts of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In the Fifth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that the sun rotates in its own orbit at the rate of sixteen thousand miles per second. Similarly, Brahma-saṁhitā states, yasyājñayā bhramati sambhṛta-kāla-cakraḥ: the sun rotates in its own orbit according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The conclusion is that the sun is not fixed in one place. As far as Pṛthu Mahārāja is concerned, it is indicated that his ruling power would extend all over the world. The Himālaya Mountains, from which the sunrise is first seen, are called udayācala or udayādri. It is herein indicated that Pṛthu Mahārāja’s reign over the world would cover even the Himālaya Mountains and extend to the borders of all oceans and seas. In other words, his reign would cover the entire planet.
FAQs
This verse shows Pṛthu Mahārāja circumambulating the earth with it on his right, like the sun—signifying honor, auspiciousness, and rightful guardianship performed in a sacred, dharmic manner.
Pṛthu Mahārāja is praised as the sole heroic protector of the earth, moving as a victorious ruler ready to defend and govern.
Lead like a protector—act with responsibility, courage, and moral order, using power (symbolized by the bow) to uphold dharma rather than for personal gain.