Shloka 51
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
फलं ब्रह्मणि संन्यस्य निर्विषङ्ग: समाहित: । कर्माध्यक्षं च मन्वान आत्मानं प्रकृते: परम् ॥ ५१ ॥
phalaṁ brahmaṇi sannyasya nirviṣaṅgaḥ samāhitaḥ karmādhyakṣaṁ ca manvāna ātmānaṁ prakṛteḥ param
Pṛthu Mahārāja offered the fruits of all his work to Brahman—the Bhagavān—becoming free from attachment and steady in concentration. He regarded the Lord as the overseer of all karma and always thought of himself as the eternal servant of the Supreme Personality, beyond material nature.
The life and dedication of Mahārāja Pṛthu in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead serve as a good example of karma-yoga. The term karma-yoga is often used in Bhagavad-gītā, and herein Mahārāja Pṛthu is giving a practical example of what karma-yoga actually is. The first requirement for the proper execution of karma-yoga is given herein. Phalaṁ brahmaṇi sannyasya (or vinyasya ): one must give the fruits of his activities to the Supreme Brahman, Parabrahman, Kṛṣṇa. By doing so, one actually situates himself in the renounced order of life, sannyāsa. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.2) , giving up the fruits of one’s activities to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called sannyāsa:
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should surrender the results of actions to Brahman, remain unattached and steady, recognizing the Supreme as the overseer of all work—this purifies action and supports liberation.
Pṛthu Mahārāja was guiding his citizens toward righteous living and spiritual freedom—showing that duty performed without attachment, with the results offered to the Absolute, leads to inner steadiness and realization of the self beyond matter.
Do your duties sincerely, offer the outcome to the Divine (rather than ego or anxiety), reduce possessiveness over results, and cultivate steady mindfulness—this transforms work into a path of purification and spiritual growth.