Shloka 13
Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship
सम: समानोत्तममध्यमाधम: सुखे च दु:खे च जितेन्द्रियाशय: । मयोपक्लृप्ताखिललोकसंयुतो विधत्स्व वीराखिललोकरक्षणम् ॥ १३ ॥
samaḥ samānottama-madhyamādhamaḥ sukhe ca duḥkhe ca jitendriyāśayaḥ mayopakḷptākhila-loka-saṁyuto vidhatsva vīrākhila-loka-rakṣaṇam
My heroic King, remain always equipoised and treat all people equally—those above you, in the middle, or below. Do not be disturbed by fleeting happiness or distress; fully master mind and senses. In whatever condition My arrangement places you, perform your royal duty, for your chief task is to protect the citizens.
Here is an example of receiving direct instruction from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu. One has to execute the order of Lord Viṣṇu, whether receiving it directly from Him or from His bona fide representative, the spiritual master. Arjuna fought the Battle of Kurukṣetra under the direct order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, here Pṛthu Mahārāja is also being given orders by Lord Viṣṇu regarding the execution of his duty. We have to stick to the principles stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ: every man’s duty is to receive orders from Lord Kṛṣṇa or from His bona fide representative and take these orders as his life and soul, without personal considerations. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura states that one should not care very much whether he is going to be liberated or not, but he should simply execute the direct order received from the spiritual master. If one sticks to the principle of abiding by the order of the spiritual master, he will always remain in a liberated position. A common man must execute the rules and regulations of varṇāśrama-dharma by working in his prescribed duty according to the caste system ( brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra ) and the spiritual-order system ( brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa ). If one simply executes regularly and strictly the injunctions given for the different divisions of life, then one satisfies Lord Viṣṇu.
FAQs
This verse teaches sama-darśana: a devotee-leader remains balanced and respectful toward all, not shaken by social ranking, because he sees the soul and acts from dharma.
In the narrative, Pṛthu is empowered as an ideal rājarṣi; Viṣṇu confirms that divine resources are provided for loka-kalyāṇa (welfare of the world) and directs him to rule with self-control and impartiality.
Practice disciplined habits, reduce impulsive reactions, and make decisions based on duty and compassion rather than mood—so service, leadership, and relationships remain steady in both success and setback.