Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 10
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
अव्यक्तवर्त्मैष निगूढकार्योगम्भीरवेधा उपगुप्तवित्त: । अनन्तमाहात्म्यगुणैकधामापृथु: प्रचेता इव संवृतात्मा ॥ १० ॥
avyakta-vartmaiṣa nigūḍha-kāryo gambhīra-vedhā upagupta-vittaḥ ananta-māhātmya-guṇaika-dhāmā pṛthuḥ pracetā iva saṁvṛtātmā
詠誦者たちは続けた。「この王が採る政道は、誰にも見通せない。行いはきわめて秘され、深い思慮に満ち、いかにして万事を成就させるのか知る者はいない。国庫もまた人々に知られぬままであろう。プリトゥは無量の栄光と徳の唯一の宝蔵であり、海神ヴァルナが四方を水に包まれているように、プラチェータのごとく内に収めて、その地位を覆い守るであろう。」
There is a predominating deity for all the material elements, and Varuṇa, or Pracetā, is the predominating deity of the seas and the oceans. From outward appearances the seas and oceans are devoid of life, but a person acquainted with the sea knows that within the water exist many varieties of life. The king of that underwater kingdom is Varuṇa. Just as no one can understand what is going on beneath the sea, no one could understand what policy King Pṛthu was following to make everything successful. Indeed, King Pṛthu’s path of diplomacy was very grave. His success was made possible because he was a reservoir of unlimited glorified qualities.
FAQs
The verse highlights Pṛthu’s inscrutable yet purposeful conduct, deep discernment, careful stewardship of resources, and restrained, self-contained nature—presenting him as a reservoir of limitless noble qualities.
Because, like the ocean, Pṛthu is deep, difficult to measure, and self-contained—holding vast “treasures” within while remaining outwardly composed and reserved.
Practice measured speech, keep intentions focused rather than advertised, protect time and resources from distraction, and cultivate depth through steady discipline and devotion.