Shloka 51
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
अद्य नस्तमस: पारस्त्वयोपासादित: प्रभो । भ्राम्यतां नष्टदृष्टीनां कर्मभिर्दैवसंज्ञितै: ॥ ५१ ॥
adya nas tamasaḥ pāras tvayopāsāditaḥ prabho bhrāmyatāṁ naṣṭa-dṛṣṭīnāṁ karmabhir daiva-saṁjñitaiḥ
O Lord, today you have opened our eyes and shown the way to cross beyond the ocean of darkness. By our past deeds and by the arrangement of higher authority, we were caught in the net of fruitive action, lost sight of life’s true goal, and thus wandered throughout the universe.
In this verse, the words karmabhir daiva-saṁjñitaiḥ are very significant. Due to the quality of our actions, we come to the association of the modes of material nature, and by superior arrangement we are given a chance to enjoy the fruitive results of such activities in different types of bodies. In this way, having lost sight of their destination in life, all living entities are wandering in different species throughout the universe, sometimes getting birth in a lower species and sometimes existence in higher planetary systems; thus we are all wandering since time immemorial. It is by the grace of the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead that we get the clue of devotional life, and thus progressive success in our life begins. Here this is admitted by the citizens of King Pṛthu; in full consciousness they admit the benefit they have derived from the activities of Mahārāja Pṛthu.
FAQs
This verse says that by the Lord’s grace one can reach the ‘far shore’ beyond darkness—ignorance is overcome not merely by effort, but by divine guidance and presence.
They acknowledge that people without spiritual vision keep wandering under the force of their past actions; what appears as ‘fate’ is often the unfolding of karma when one lacks higher direction.
Instead of blaming fate, cultivate clear discernment through devotion, prayer, and righteous action—seeking the Lord’s guidance helps one rise above confusion and repetitive karmic patterns.