Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21
The Sūtas Foretell the Glories and Future Deeds of King Pṛthu
अस्मै नृपाला: किल तत्र तत्रबलिं हरिष्यन्ति सलोकपाला: । मंस्यन्त एषां स्त्रिय आदिराजंचक्रायुधं तद्यश उद्धरन्त्य: ॥ २१ ॥
asmai nṛ-pālāḥ kila tatra tatra baliṁ hariṣyanti saloka-pālāḥ maṁsyanta eṣāṁ striya ādi-rājaṁ cakrāyudhaṁ tad-yaśa uddharantyaḥ
王が世界を巡るとき、各地の諸王と世界の守護神々は、貢ぎ物と贈り物を捧げるであろう。彼らの王妃たちもまた、棍棒と円盤を携える「元初の王」として彼を仰ぎ、その名声を歌い上げる。彼の誉れはバガヴァーンにも比すべく高いからである。
As far as reputation is concerned, King Pṛthu is already known as the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The word ādi-rājam means “the original king.” The original king is Nārāyaṇa, or Lord Viṣṇu. People do not know that the original king, or Nārāyaṇa, is actually the protector of all living entities. As confirmed in the Vedas, eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān ( Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13): the Supreme Personality of Godhead is maintaining all living entities. The king, or naradeva, is His representative. As such, the king’s duty is to personally supervise the distribution of wealth for the maintenance of all living entities. If he does so, he will be as reputable as Nārāyaṇa. As mentioned in this verse ( tad-yaśaḥ ), Pṛthu Mahārāja was actually carrying with him the reputation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he was actually reigning over the world in that capacity.
FAQs
This verse says that when a ruler is truly qualified like Pṛthu, other kings and even the world-guardians naturally offer tribute—recognizing his rightful, dharmic sovereignty.
Because Pṛthu is portrayed as the archetypal emperor, and his glory is celebrated in song; the epithet 'cakrāyudha' links his power and protection to divine, Viṣṇu-like authority.
Leadership grounded in dharma earns voluntary respect; genuine service and protection of others naturally generate good reputation and spoken praise rather than forced recognition.