Shloka 44
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
गुणायनं शीलधनं कृतज्ञं वृद्धाश्रयं संवृणतेऽनु सम्पद: । प्रसीदतां ब्रह्मकुलं गवां च जनार्दन: सानुचरश्च मह्यम् ॥ ४४ ॥
guṇāyanaṁ śīla-dhanaṁ kṛta-jñaṁ vṛddhāśrayaṁ saṁvṛṇate ’nu sampadaḥ prasīdatāṁ brahma-kulaṁ gavāṁ ca janārdanaḥ sānucaraś ca mahyam
Whoever gains brahminical qualities—being a sanctuary of virtue, possessing good conduct as his only wealth, remaining grateful, and taking shelter of the wise and experienced—draws all opulence to himself. Therefore may the Supreme Lord Janārdana, together with His associates, be pleased with the brāhmaṇa class, with the cows, and with me.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped with the prayer namo brahmaṇya-devāya go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca. Thus it is clear that the Supreme Personality of Godhead respects and protects the brāhmaṇas and brahminical culture, as well as the cows; in other words, wherever there are brāhmaṇas and brahminical culture, there are cows and cow protection. In a society or civilization in which there are no brāhmaṇas or brahminical culture, cows are treated as ordinary animals and slaughtered, at the sacrifice of human civilization. The specific mention of the word gavām by Pṛthu Mahārāja is significant because the Lord is always associated with cows and His devotees. In pictures Lord Kṛṣṇa is always seen with cows and His associates such as the cowherd boys and the gopīs. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, cannot be alone. Therefore Pṛthu Mahārāja said, sānucaraś ca, indicating that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always associated with His followers and devotees.
FAQs
This verse teaches that true prosperity naturally follows a person who is virtuous, grateful, well-behaved, and guided by elders.
In Vedic dharma, the welfare of society rests on honoring brāhmaṇas (spiritual guidance) and protecting cows (sustenance and purity); Pṛthu links their satisfaction with divine blessing.
Cultivate integrity and gratitude, seek counsel from wise elders/mentors, and support dharmic institutions—especially those that protect cows and uphold spiritual education.