Shloka 52
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Homecoming, Sacrificial Assembly, and Instruction on Devotional Kingship
नमो विवृद्धसत्त्वाय पुरुषाय महीयसे । यो ब्रह्म क्षत्रमाविश्य बिभर्तीदं स्वतेजसा ॥ ५२ ॥
namo vivṛddha-sattvāya puruṣāya mahīyase yo brahma kṣatram āviśya bibhartīdaṁ sva-tejasā
O Lord, obeisance to the great Person established in pure goodness. You uphold brahminical culture and, as a kṣatriya in duty, protect all; by Your own splendor You sustain the entire world.
Without the spread of brahminical culture and without proper protection from the government, no social standard can be maintained properly. This is admitted in this verse by the citizens of Mahārāja Pṛthu, who could maintain the wonderful situation of his government due to his position in pure goodness. The word vivṛddha-sattvāya is significant. In the material world there are three qualities, namely goodness, passion and ignorance. One has to be raised from the platform of ignorance to the platform of goodness by devotional service. There is no other means for elevating one from the lowest stage of life to the highest stage but the execution of devotional service; as advised in the previous chapters of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one can raise himself from the lowest position to the highest simply by associating with devotees and hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam regularly from their mouths:
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Person maintains the world by His own tejas (divine power), manifesting within social orders like brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas to uphold dharma.
In the narrative, Pṛthu rules as an ideal protector and moral guide; the citizens recognize that such balanced brahminical wisdom and kṣatriya strength ultimately come from the Supreme Lord’s empowerment.
Seek leadership that combines integrity and knowledge (brāhmaṇa qualities) with courage and protection (kṣatriya qualities), while remembering that real stability comes from aligning actions with divine dharma.