Shloka 10
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
को न्वस्य कीर्तिं न शृणोत्यभिज्ञो यद्विक्रमोच्छिष्टमशेषभूपा: । लोका: सपाला उपजीवन्ति काम- मद्यापि तन्मे वद कर्म शुद्धम् ॥ १० ॥
ko nv asya kīrtiṁ na śṛṇoty abhijño yad-vikramocchiṣṭam aśeṣa-bhūpāḥ lokāḥ sa-pālā upajīvanti kāmam adyāpi tan me vada karma śuddham
Who among the wise would not wish to hear of Pṛthu Mahārāja’s fame? Even today, kings and the guardians of the worlds sustain their realms by following the remnants of his heroic footsteps. Therefore, tell me more of his pure, pious, and auspicious deeds, for I long to hear them again and again.
Saint Vidura’s purpose in hearing about Pṛthu Mahārāja over and over again was to set an example for ordinary kings and executive heads, who should all be inclined to hear repeatedly about Pṛthu Mahārāja’s activities in order to also be able to rule over their kingdoms or states very faithfully for the peace and prosperity of the people in general. Unfortunately, at the present moment no one cares to hear about Pṛthu Mahārāja or to follow in his footsteps; therefore no nation in the world is either happy or progressive in spiritual understanding, although that is the sole aim and objective of human life.
FAQs
This verse says that an intelligent person naturally hears such fame because even the world and its rulers benefit from the ‘remnants’ of his heroic, righteous deeds—his actions nourish society long afterward.
After recognizing how a saintly ruler’s deeds uplift the worlds, they seek practical guidance: what purified duty (karma śuddham) they themselves should do so their lives also become beneficial and spiritually clean.
Choose work that genuinely supports others and aligns with dharma, while seeking instruction from realized teachers—so your actions leave beneficial results for society rather than selfish remnants.