Shloka 4
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
गौरवाद्यन्त्रित: सभ्य: प्रश्रयानतकन्धर: । विधिवत्पूजयां चक्रे गृहीताध्यर्हणासनान् ॥ ४ ॥
gauravād yantritaḥ sabhyaḥ praśrayānata-kandharaḥ vidhivat pūjayāṁ cakre gṛhītādhyarhaṇāsanān
When the great sages accepted the reception according to the śāstras and sat upon the honored seats offered by the King, the King—moved by their glory—bowed his head in humility and worshiped the four Kumāras in proper rite.
The four Kumāras are paramparā spiritual masters of the Vaiṣṇava sampradāya. Out of the four sampradāyas, namely Brahma sampradāya, Śrī sampradāya, Kumāra sampradāya and Rudra sampradāya, the disciplic succession of spiritual master to disciple known as the Kumāra sampradāya is coming down from the four Kumāras. So Pṛthu Mahārāja was very respectful to the sampradāya-ācāryas. As it is said by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ: a spiritual master, or the paramparā-ācārya, should be respected exactly like the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word vidhivat is significant in this verse. This means that Pṛthu Mahārāja also strictly followed the injunctions of the śāstra in receiving a spiritual master, or ācārya, of the transcendental disciplic succession. Whenever an ācārya is seen, one should immediately bow down before him. Pṛthu Mahārāja did this properly; therefore the words used here are praśrayānata-kandharaḥ: out of humility, he bowed down before the Kumāras.
FAQs
This verse shows that a righteous leader honors exalted sages with humility and proper etiquette—offering them suitable seats and respectful worship.
Because the Kumāras are highly worshipable, spiritually advanced sages; Pṛthu, being cultured and devoted, felt deep respect and followed dharmic protocol in receiving them.
Receive teachers, elders, and sincere devotees with respect—listen attentively, offer appropriate hospitality, and keep a humble demeanor rather than demanding honor for oneself.