Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 7
The Priyavrata Dynasty Continues: Sumati’s Line and the Glorification of Mahārāja Gaya
स वै स्वधर्मेण प्रजापालन पोषणप्रीणनोपलालनानुशासनलक्षणेनेज्यादिना च भगवति महापुरुषे परावरे ब्रह्मणि सर्वात्मनार्पितपरमार्थलक्षणेन ब्रह्मविच्चरणानुसेवयाऽऽपादितभगवद्भक्तियोगेन चाभीक्ष्णश: परिभावितातिशुद्ध मतिरुपरतानात्म्य आत्मनि स्वयमुपलभ्यमानब्रह्मात्मानुभवोऽपि निरभिमान एवावनिमजूगुपत् ॥ ७ ॥
sa vai sva-dharmeṇa prajā-pālana-poṣaṇa-prīṇanopalālanānuśāsana-lakṣaṇenejyādinā ca bhagavati mahā-puruṣe parāvare brahmaṇi sarvātmanārpita-paramārtha-lakṣaṇena brahmavic-caraṇānusevayāpādita-bhagavad-bhakti-yogena cābhīkṣṇaśaḥ paribhāvitāti-śuddha-matir uparatānātmya ātmani svayam upalabhyamāna-brahmātmānubhavo ’pi nirabhimāna evāvanim ajūgupat.
Le roi Gaya, fidèle à son svadharma, assurait la protection du peuple, sa subsistance, sa satisfaction, l’encourageait par des paroles douces et l’instruisait par une juste discipline; et par les sacrifices et les devoirs du maître de maison, il offrait tout au Bhagavān Mahāpuruṣa, le Parabrahman, l’Âme de tous. Par le bhakti-yoga acquis au service des pieds des dévots connaisseurs de Brahman, son intelligence devint très pure; affranchi de l’orgueil du corps, même établi dans l’expérience du Brahman, il gouvernait sans vanité.
As Lord Kṛṣṇa states in Bhagavad-gītā, when He descends to the earth, He has two types of business — to give protection to the faithful and annihilate the demons ( paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām ). Since the king is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is sometimes called nara-deva, that is, the Lord as a human being. According to the Vedic injunctions, he is worshiped as God on the material platform. As a representative of the Supreme Lord, the king had the duty to protect the citizens in a perfect way so that they would not be anxious for food and protection and so that they would be jubilant. The king would supply everything for their benefit, and because of this he would levy taxes. If the king or government otherwise levies taxes on the citizens, he becomes responsible for the sinful activities of the citizens. In Kali-yuga, monarchy is abolished because the kings themselves are subjected to the influence of Kali-yuga. It is understood from the Rāmāyaṇa that when Bibhīṣaṇa became friends with Lord Rāmacandra, he promised that if by chance or will he broke the laws of friendship with Lord Rāmacandra, he would become a brāhmaṇa or a king in Kali-yuga. In this age, as Bibhīṣaṇa indicated, both brāhmaṇas and kings are in a wretched condition. Actually there are no kings or brāhmaṇas in this age, and due to their absence the whole world is in a chaotic condition and is always in distress. Compared to present standards, Mahārāja Gaya was a true representative of Lord Viṣṇu; therefore he was known as Mahāpuruṣa.
FAQs
This verse teaches that true kingship means protecting, nourishing, pleasing, and guiding the people while dedicating all actions to Bhagavān; such duty becomes spiritually perfect when joined with bhakti-yoga.
Because association and service to realized knowers of Brahman awakens bhakti-yoga, which purifies the mind and stabilizes inner realization without ego.
Do your responsibilities sincerely for the welfare of others, offer the results to God, seek saintly guidance, and cultivate humility so that spiritual growth does not become ego-driven.