Shloka 46
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
स्वमेव ब्राह्मणो भुङ्क्ते स्वं वस्ते स्वं ददाति च । तस्यैवानुग्रहेणान्नं भुञ्जते क्षत्रियादय: ॥ ४६ ॥
svam eva brāhmaṇo bhuṅkte svaṁ vaste svaṁ dadāti ca tasyaivānugraheṇānnaṁ bhuñjate kṣatriyādayaḥ
The brāhmaṇa eats from his own wealth, clothes himself with his own wealth, and gives charity from his own wealth; by his mercy the kṣatriyas and others are able to partake of food.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshiped with the words namo brahmaṇya-devāya, which indicate that the Supreme Lord accepts the brāhmaṇas as worshipable gods. The Supreme Lord is worshiped by everyone, yet to teach others He worships the brāhmaṇas. Everyone should follow the instructions of the brāhmaṇas, for their only business is to spread śabda-brahma, or Vedic knowledge, all over the world. Whenever there is a scarcity of brāhmaṇas to spread Vedic knowledge, chaos throughout human society results. Since brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas are direct servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they do not depend on others. In actuality, everything in the world belongs to the brāhmaṇas, and out of their humility the brāhmaṇas accept charity from the kṣatriyas, or kings, and the vaiśyas, or merchants. Everything belongs to the brāhmaṇas, but the kṣatriya government and the mercantile people keep everything in custody, like bankers, and whenever the brāhmaṇas need money, the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas should supply it. It is like a savings account with money which the depositor can draw out at his will. The brāhmaṇas, being engaged in the service of the Lord, have very little time to handle the finances of the world, and therefore the riches are kept by the kṣatriyas, or the kings, who are to produce money upon the brāhmaṇas’ demand. Actually the brāhmaṇas or Vaiṣṇavas do not live at others’ cost; they live by spending their own money, although it appears that they are collecting this money from others. Kṣatriyas and vaiśyas have no right to give charity, for whatever they possess belongs to the brāhmaṇas. Therefore charity should be given by the kṣatriyas and vaiśyas under the instructions of the brāhmaṇas. Unfortunately at the present moment there is a scarcity of brāhmaṇas, and since the so-called kṣatriyas and vaiśyas do not carry out the orders of the brāhmaṇas, the world is in a chaotic condition.
FAQs
This verse teaches that brāhmaṇas sustain themselves by rightful, simple living and charity, and that society’s prosperity—especially for rulers and administrators—flourishes by honoring and receiving the blessings of such spiritually grounded brāhmaṇas.
While instructing his citizens on ideal governance and dharma, Pṛthu highlights that political and economic strength must rest on brahminical guidance—truthfulness, restraint, and spiritual merit—otherwise prosperity becomes unstable and irreligion grows.
Support genuine spiritual education, live within honest means, give charity responsibly, and seek guidance from people of integrity and wisdom—so that success is aligned with dharma rather than mere consumption.