Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 23
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
नावध्येय: प्रजापाल: प्रजाभिरघवानपि । यदसौ लोकपालानां बिभर्त्योज: स्वतेजसा ॥ २३ ॥
nāvadhyeyaḥ prajā-pālaḥ prajābhir aghavān api yad asau loka-pālānāṁ bibharty ojaḥ sva-tejasā
Rakyat tidak wajar menghina raja, walaupun kadang-kadang baginda kelihatan melakukan perbuatan berdosa. Kerana dengan keperkasaan dan sinar wibawa baginda sendiri, raja lebih berpengaruh daripada semua pemerintah yang lain.
According to Vedic civilization the king is supposed to be the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is called nara-nārāyaṇa, indicating that Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears in human society as the king. It is etiquette that neither a brāhmaṇa nor a kṣatriya king is ever insulted by the citizens; even though a king appears to be sinful, the citizens should not insult him. But in the case of Vena it appears that he was cursed by the nara-devatās; therefore, it was concluded that his sinful activities were very grievous.
FAQs
This verse says a ruler who truly protects the people should not be harshly condemned by the subjects even if he has faults, because his position sustains the strength and order of worldly administration.
Because the king’s very authority and power uphold the functioning and vigor of the world’s guardians—maintaining stability and protection for society.
Value responsible leadership and public service, critique with fairness and gratitude, and prioritize whether a leader genuinely protects and supports the well-being of people.