Shloka 29
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
Likewise, Ajā, Bhava (Śiva), Prahlāda, Bali, and many others are firmly theistic, convinced of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who bears a club; therefore all duty is to be offered unto Him.
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 states that the mace-bearing Lord (Viṣṇu) considers it His responsibility to act for the welfare of His exalted devotees like Prahlāda and Bali, showing His reciprocal commitment to bhakti.
He cites well-known devotees to illustrate a consistent Bhagavata principle: the Supreme Lord personally intervenes and arranges protection, honor, and ultimate good for those devoted to Him.
Cultivate steady devotion and integrity; the Bhagavatam’s takeaway is that sincere bhakti is never lost—divine guidance and protection manifest in timely, often unexpected ways.