Shloka 8
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
देवेऽवर्षत्यसौ देवो नरदेववपुर्हरि: । कृच्छ्रप्राणा: प्रजा ह्येष रक्षिष्यत्यञ्जसेन्द्रवत् ॥ ८ ॥
deve ’varṣaty asau devo naradeva-vapur hariḥ kṛcchra-prāṇāḥ prajā hy eṣa rakṣiṣyaty añjasendravat
When the gods withhold rain and the people’s lives are endangered by lack of water, this king—Hari in the form of a royal ruler—will supply rainfall like Indra himself. Thus he will easily protect the citizens from drought.
King Pṛthu is very appropriately compared to the sun and the demigod Indra. King Indra of the heavenly planets is in charge of distributing water over the earth and other planetary systems. It is indicated that King Pṛthu would arrange for the distribution of rainfall personally if Indra failed to discharge his duty properly. Sometimes the King of heaven, Indra, would become angry at the inhabitants of the earth if they did not offer sacrifices to appease him. King Pṛthu, however, being an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, did not depend on the mercy of the heavenly King. It is foretold herein that if there would be a scarcity of rain, King Pṛthu would manage to counteract the deficiency by virtue of his godly powers. Such powers were also exhibited by Lord Kṛṣṇa when He was present in Vṛndāvana. Indeed, when Indra poured incessant water on Vṛndāvana for seven days, the inhabitants were protected by Kṛṣṇa, who raised Govardhana Hill over their heads as a great umbrella. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa is also known as Govardhana-dhārī.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a true ruler, seen as Hari in a human role, must protect citizens even when rain fails—ensuring survival and welfare like Indra protects his subjects.
In the narrative of Pṛthu Mahārāja, the citizens recognize his divine empowerment and exemplary rāja-dharma, so they glorify him as Lord Hari appearing as a human king.
Leadership should be service-centered: during shortages or emergencies, responsible leaders must act swiftly to protect and provide for people, guided by dharma and compassion.