Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 42
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
न वै नृभिर्नरदेवं पराख्यं सम्मातुमर्हस्यविपक्वबुद्धे । यत्तेजसा दुर्विषहेण गुप्ता विन्दन्ति भद्राण्यकुतोभया: प्रजा: ॥ ४२ ॥
na vai nṛbhir nara-devaṁ parākhyaṁ sammātum arhasy avipakva-buddhe yat-tejasā durviṣaheṇa guptā vindanti bhadrāṇy akutobhayāḥ prajāḥ
わが子よ、お前の知恵はまだ未熟だ。ゆえに、人々の中で最も優れた王がナラデーヴァ（人間界の神）にも等しいことを知らない。彼を凡人と同列にしてはならぬ。抗しがたい威力に守られて、民は恐れなく安寧と繁栄を得るのだ。
FAQs
This verse teaches that a king is ‘naradeva’ (god among men); his righteous power protects society, so disrespecting him is improper and harmful to public welfare.
After Śṛṅgi cursed Mahārāja Parīkṣit, Śamīka rebuked him, explaining that the king’s authority safeguards citizens and should not be treated as negligible.
Avoid impulsive condemnation and cultivate discernment: honor lawful, dharmic leadership and recognize that social stability depends on responsible authority and restraint in speech.