Shloka 21
Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship
स आदिराजो रचिताञ्जलिर्हरिं विलोकितुं नाशकदश्रुलोचन: । न किञ्चनोवाच स बाष्पविक्लवो हृदोपगुह्यामुमधादवस्थित: ॥ २१ ॥
sa ādi-rājo racitāñjalir hariṁ vilokituṁ nāśakad aśru-locanaḥ na kiñcanovāca sa bāṣpa-viklavo hṛdopaguhyāmum adhād avasthitaḥ
The original king, Pṛthu, stood with folded hands; his tear-filled eyes could not behold Hari clearly. His voice choked, he spoke nothing—he only embraced the Lord within his heart and remained standing so.
Just as Kṛṣṇa is addressed in the Brahma-saṁhitā as ādi-puruṣa, the original personality, so King Pṛthu, being an empowered incarnation of the Lord, is referred to in this verse as ādi-rājaḥ, the original or ideal king. He was a great devotee and at the same time a great hero who conquered over all undesirable elements in his kingdom. He was so powerful that he was equal in fighting to Indra, the King of heaven. He gave protection to his citizens, keeping them engaged in pious activities and devotion to the Lord. He did not collect a single cent of taxes from the citizens without being able to give them protection from all calamities. The greatest calamity in life is to become godless and therefore sinful. If the state head or king allows the citizens to become sinful by indulging in illicit sex life, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling, then the king is responsible, and he has to suffer the resultant sequence of reactions for the sinful lives of the citizens because he levies taxes on them unnecessarily. These are the principles for a ruling power, and because Mahārāja Pṛthu observed all the principles for a ruling chief, he is referred to here as ādi-rājaḥ.
FAQs
This verse describes classic symptoms of prema-bhakti: tear-filled eyes, inability to speak, and inwardly embracing the Lord—showing devotion that surpasses mere words.
Because Dhruva was overwhelmed by intense devotional emotion upon seeing the Lord; his eyes flooded with tears and his voice failed, so he stood silently, holding the Lord in his heart.
Approach prayer and worship with humility and sincerity—letting devotion deepen beyond performance—so remembrance of God becomes heartfelt and transformative.