Shloka 4
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
एष धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो लोकं धर्मेऽनुवर्तयन् । गोप्ता च धर्मसेतूनां शास्ता तत्परिपन्थिनाम् ॥ ४ ॥
eṣa dharma-bhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho lokaṁ dharme ’nuvartayan goptā ca dharma-setūnāṁ śāstā tat-paripanthinām
This King, Mahārāja Pṛthu, is the foremost among the upholders of dharma. He will lead the world to follow righteousness, protect the bridges of dharma, and sternly punish the irreligious and atheistic.
The duty of the king or the head of the government is described very nicely in this verse. It is the duty of the governmental head to see that people strictly follow a religious life. A king should also be strict in chastising the atheists. In other words, an atheistic or godless government should never be supported by a king or governmental chief. That is the test of good government. In the name of secular government, the king or governmental head remains neutral and allows people to engage in all sorts of irreligious activities. In such a state people cannot be happy, despite all economic development. However, in this Age of Kali there are no pious kings. Instead, rogues and thieves are elected to head the government. But how can the people be happy without religion and God consciousness? The rogues exact taxes from the citizens for their own sense enjoyment, and in the future the people will be so much harassed that according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam they will flee from their homes and country and take shelter in the forest. However, in Kali-yuga, democratic government can be captured by Kṛṣṇa conscious people. If this can be done, the general populace can be made very happy.
FAQs
This verse says an ideal ruler leads citizens to follow dharma, protects the safeguards of religion (dharma-setu), and disciplines those who oppose righteousness.
Because he is described as both a guide for society in righteous conduct and a strong protector who restrains forces that hinder dharma.
Support and uphold ethical boundaries—truthfulness, compassion, self-control—and firmly avoid or correct habits and influences that obstruct spiritual and moral progress.