Shloka 139
पृथुं वैन्यं प्रजा दृष्टवा रक्ता: स्मेति यदब्रुवन् । ततो राजेति नामास्यथ अनुरागादजायत,“वेननन्दन पृथुको देखकर समस्त प्रजाओंने एक साथ कहा कि “हम इनमें अनुरक्त हैं इस प्रकार प्रजाका रञज्जन करनेके कारण ही उनका नाम 'राजा' हुआ
pṛthuṃ vainyaṃ prajā dṛṣṭvā raktāḥ sme iti yad abruvan | tato rājeti nāmāsyātha anurāgād ajāyata ||
When the people beheld Pṛthu Vainya, son of Vena, they spoke as if with one voice, “We are attached to him.” From that very affection (anurāga), and because he delighted and won over the subjects, the name “Rājā” (king) arose for him—one who pleases and holds the people in loyal regard.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A king’s legitimacy is grounded in winning and sustaining the people’s goodwill through protection and welfare; ‘rājā’ is presented as one who delights/holds the subjects through righteous governance rather than mere power.
Vāyu explains that when the subjects saw Pṛthu (Vena’s son), they felt immediate attachment and voiced it; from this collective affection and his capacity to please and secure the people, he came to be called ‘Rājā’ (king).