Shloka 28
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
मनोरुत्तानपादस्य ध्रुवस्यापि महीपते: । प्रियव्रतस्य राजर्षेरङ्गस्यास्मत्पितु: पितु: ॥ २८ ॥ ईदृशानामथान्येषामजस्य च भवस्य च । प्रह्लादस्य बलेश्चापि कृत्यमस्ति गदाभृता ॥ २९ ॥
manor uttānapādasya dhruvasyāpi mahīpateḥ priyavratasya rājarṣer aṅgasyāsmat-pituḥ pituḥ
This is upheld not only by Vedic evidence but also by the conduct of great souls—Manu, Uttānapāda, King Dhruva, the rājarṣi Priyavrata, and Aṅga, my grandfather—whose lives themselves confirm it.
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura states that one has to ascertain the right path for his activities by following in the footsteps of great saintly persons and books of knowledge under the guidance of a spiritual master ( sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya ). A saintly person is one who follows the Vedic injunctions, which are the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word guru refers to one who gives proper direction under the authority of the Vedic injunctions and according to the examples of the lives of great personalities. The best way to mold one’s life is to follow in the footsteps of the authorized personalities like those mentioned herein by Pṛthu Mahārāja, beginning with Svāyambhuva Manu. The safest path in life is to follow such great personalities, especially those mentioned in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The mahājanas, or great personalities, are Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Nārada Muni, Manu, the Kumāras, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja, Yamarāja, Bhīṣma, Janaka, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Kapila Muni.
FAQs
This verse lists exemplary rulers and devotees—Manu, Uttānapāda, Dhruva, Priyavrata, and Aṅga—showing that the Lord personally takes responsibility for guiding and favoring such righteous souls.
To emphasize that the Supreme Lord’s care extends across generations of saintly rulers, reinforcing the theme that devotion and dharma attract divine guidance.
Lead with integrity and devotion—like these ideal rulers—and trust that sincere spiritual effort invites higher guidance, clarity, and protection in one’s responsibilities.