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
Para pelantun meneruskan: Tiada siapa akan memahami jalan dasar yang akan diikuti raja ini. Perbuatannya sangat rahsia dan mendalam; tidak mungkin diketahui bagaimana setiap urusan dijayakannya. Perbendaharaannya juga akan kekal tersembunyi daripada semua. Pṛthu ialah satu-satunya tempat berhimpun kemuliaan dan sifat baik yang tiada batas, dan seperti Varuṇa yang dilingkungi air di segala arah, kedudukannya akan terpelihara dan terselubung, laksana Pracetas yang menahan diri ke dalam.
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.