Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 9
The Priyavrata Dynasty Continues: Sumati’s Line and the Glorification of Mahārāja Gaya
गयं नृप: क: प्रतियाति कर्मभि-र्यज्वाभिमानी बहुविद्धर्मगोप्ता । समागतश्री: सदसस्पति: सतांसत्सेवकोऽन्यो भगवत्कलामृते ॥ ९ ॥
gayaṁ nṛpaḥ kaḥ pratiyāti karmabhir yajvābhimānī bahuvid dharma-goptā samāgata-śrīḥ sadasas-patiḥ satāṁ sat-sevako ’nyo bhagavat-kalām ṛte
Le roi Gaya accomplissait les yajñas, était sagace et versé dans les écritures védiques, gardien de maints dharmas, comblé de splendeur, chef dans l’assemblée des gens de bien et serviteur des saints dévots. Qui pourrait l’égaler en de telles œuvres? Il était tel une kalā du Bhagavān, une expansion pleinement qualifiée.
FAQs
This verse praises King Gaya as unmatched in righteous deeds—expert in sacrifice, protector of many branches of dharma, blessed with prosperity, fit to lead saintly assemblies, and especially devoted to serving sādhus.
Because Gaya’s virtues—dharmic governance, natural opulence, and humble service to saints—are described as so extraordinary that only someone empowered like a divine expansion could exhibit them to that extent.
Seek saintly association, support genuine spiritual teachers and communities, and cultivate humility by serving through time, resources, and attentive listening—making devotion the center rather than prestige.