Shloka 30
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
इत्थम्भूतानुभावोऽसौ पृथु: स भगवत्तम: । कीर्तितं तस्य चरितमुद्दामचरितस्य ते ॥ ३० ॥
ittham-bhūtānubhāvo ’sau pṛthuḥ sa bhagavattamaḥ kīrtitaṁ tasya caritam uddāma-caritasya te
Maitreya continued: Thus Mahārāja Prthu, greatest among devotees, was supremely powerful, and his character was broad, splendid, and magnanimous. As far as I am able, I have described his noble life to you.
In this verse the word bhagavattamaḥ is very significant, for the word bhagavat is used especially to refer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as the word bhagavān, “the Supreme Personality of Godhead,” is derived from the word bhagavat. Sometimes, however, we see that the word bhagavān is used for great personalities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and Nārada Muni. This is the case with Pṛthu Mahārāja, who is described here as the best of the bhagavāns, or the best of the lords. A person can be so addressed only if he is a great personality who exhibits extraordinary and uncommon features or who attains the greatest goal after his disappearance or who knows the difference between knowledge and ignorance. In other words, the word bhagavān should not be used for ordinary persons.
FAQs
This verse concludes that Pṛthu’s influence and deeds are extraordinary and boundless, and that he is described as bhagavattama—among the most exalted God-realized devotees.
Śukadeva presents Pṛthu as an ideal devotee-king, so Parīkṣit (and listeners) can hear and remember a model of pure devotion expressed through righteous rule and noble conduct.
Regularly hear and share the lives of great devotees and dharmic leaders; such kīrtana strengthens faith, clarifies values, and inspires steady, service-oriented character.