Shloka 5
Pṛthu Mahārāja Milks the Earth (Bhūmi-dugdha) and Organizes Human Settlement
ताननादृत्य योऽविद्वानर्थानारभते स्वयम् । तस्य व्यभिचरन्त्यर्था आरब्धाश्च पुन: पुन: ॥ ५ ॥
tān anādṛtya yo ’vidvān arthān ārabhate svayam tasya vyabhicaranty arthā ārabdhāś ca punaḥ punaḥ
A foolish man who disregards the faultless directions of the sages and, by mental speculation, devises his own means, meets failure again and again in his endeavors.
At the present moment it has become fashionable to disobey the unimpeachable directions given by the ācāryas and liberated souls of the past. Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul. A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to become illusioned, he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses are imperfect. Consequently we have to take direction from liberated persons. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says, “By My order you may become a spiritual master.” One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions. Materialistic men are not interested in taking directions from a liberated person, but they are very much interested in their own concocted ideas, which make them repeatedly fail in their attempts. Because the entire world is now following the imperfect directions of conditioned souls, humanity is completely bewildered.
FAQs
This verse states that when an ignorant person disregards proper counsel and acts independently, the intended results repeatedly fail to manifest, even after efforts have begun.
In the narrative surrounding Pṛthu Mahārāja’s rule and the Earth’s restoration, Śukadeva highlights that dharmic governance and fruitful action depend on receiving and honoring guidance from the wise rather than acting from ignorance.
Before major decisions, seek counsel from qualified mentors, scriptures, and experienced devotees; acting with humility and guidance reduces repeated setbacks and aligns one’s efforts with dharma.