Shloka 50

Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra

Devanagari script

कर्माणि च यथाकालं यथादेशं यथाबलम् । यथोचितं यथावित्तमकरोद्ब्रह्मसात्कृतम् ॥ ५० ॥

Transliteration

karmāṇi ca yathā-kālaṁ yathā-deśaṁ yathā-balam yathocitaṁ yathā-vittam akarod brahma-sāt-kṛtam

Translation

Self-satisfied, Mahārāja Pṛthu performed his duties as perfectly as possible according to time, circumstance, strength, and means. In all his actions his sole aim was to please the Absolute Truth, the Bhagavān; thus he acted properly.

Synonyms

• कर्माणि: actions
• कर्माणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• यथा-कालम्: according to time
• यथा-कालम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययत्वात् एकवचन-आकारः; adverbial compound meaning 'according to time'

• यथा-देशम्: according to place
• यथा-देशम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; adverbial compound meaning 'according to place/circumstance'

• यथा-बलम्: according to ability
• यथा-बलम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; adverbial compound meaning 'according to strength/ability'

• यथा-उचितम्: as appropriate
• यथा-उचितम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उचित (प्रातिपदिक; √उच्/उचित)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; adverbial compound meaning 'as is proper'

• यथा-वित्तम्: according to means
• यथा-वित्तम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + वित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; adverbial compound meaning 'according to wealth/means'

• अकरोत्: he performed/did
• अकरोत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular

• ब्रह्म-सात्-कृतम्: made an offering to Brahman (consigned to Brahman)
• ब्रह्म-सात्-कृतम्: Karma (कर्म) / Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + सात् (अव्यय/निपात) + कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) 'made into/consigned to Brahman'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular (agreeing with कर्माणि as collective/with implied कर्म)

Purport

Mahārāja Pṛthu was a responsible monarch, and he had to execute the duties of a kṣatriya, a king and a devotee at the same time. Being perfect in the Lord’s devotional service, he could execute his prescribed duties with complete perfection as befitted the time and circumstance and his financial strength and personal ability. In this regard, the word karmāṇi in this verse is significant. Pṛthu Mahārāja’s activities were not ordinary, for they were in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has advised that things which are favorable to devotional service should not be rejected, nor should activity favorable for devotional service be considered ordinary work or fruitive activity. For example, an ordinary worker conducts business in order to earn money for his sense gratification. A devotee may perform the same work in exactly the same way, but his aim is to satisfy the Supreme Lord. Consequently his activities are not ordinary.

Characters & Entities

• Pṛthu Mahārāja
• Brahman (Supreme)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam teach about doing one’s duties according to time, instruction, and ability?

This verse teaches regulated dharma: act at the right time, follow proper guidance, work within one’s strength, and do what is appropriate—then offer the results to the Supreme as sanctified service.

Why is Pṛthu Mahārāja praised for acting 'yathāvittam' (according to his means)?

Because Bhagavatam emphasizes sincerity over display: righteous action and worship should be performed properly without hypocrisy, in proportion to one’s resources, and dedicated to the Supreme.

How can I apply 'offering all actions to Brahman' in modern life?

Do your responsibilities responsibly and ethically, seek good guidance, avoid overreaching beyond capacity, and mentally dedicate your work and its outcomes to God—turning ordinary duties into spiritual practice.