Shloka 52
गृहेषु वर्तमानोऽपि स साम्राज्यश्रियान्वित: । नासज्जतेन्द्रियार्थेषु निरहंमतिरर्कवत् ॥ ५२ ॥
gṛheṣu vartamāno ’pi sa sāmrājya-śriyānvitaḥ nāsajjatendriyārtheṣu niraham-matir arkavat
Though endowed with the splendor of his prosperous empire, Mahārāja Pṛthu lived at home as a householder. Never inclined to use opulence for sense enjoyment, he remained unattached—like the sun, unaffected in every circumstance.
The word gṛheṣu is significant in this verse. Out of the four āśramas — the brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa — only a gṛhastha, or householder, is allowed to associate with women; therefore the gṛhastha-āśrama is a kind of license for sense gratification given to the devotee. Pṛthu Mahārāja was special in that although he was given license to remain a householder, and although he possessed immense opulences in his kingdom, he never engaged in sense gratification. This was a special sign that indicated him to be a pure devotee of the Lord. A pure devotee is never attracted by sense gratification, and consequently he is liberated. In material life a person engages in sense gratification for his own personal satisfaction, but in the devotional or liberated life one aims to satisfy the senses of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse describes Pṛthu Mahārāja: even with imperial opulence and household life, he did not cling to sense-objects, remaining inwardly unattached and ego-free.
The sun illuminates yet remains uncontaminated; similarly, a selfless devotee may act in the world and even hold power, but stays untouched by selfish identification and enjoyment.
Perform duties and manage resources responsibly, but avoid identifying as the enjoyer; use possessions and status in service, not for sense-centered pride.