Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 46
Yayāti, Devayānī, Śarmiṣṭhā, and the Exchange of Youth: The Unsatisfied Nature of Desire
सप्तद्वीपपति: सम्यक् पितृवत् पालयन् प्रजा: । यथोपजोषं विषयाञ्जुजुषेऽव्याहतेन्द्रिय: ॥ ४६ ॥
sapta-dvīpa-patiḥ saṁyak pitṛvat pālayan prajāḥ yathopajoṣaṁ viṣayāñ jujuṣe ’vyāhatendriyaḥ
Seterusnya, Raja Yayāti menjadi pemerintah seluruh dunia, yang terdiri daripada tujuh pulau, dan memerintah rakyat persis seperti seorang bapa. Kerana baginda telah mengambil masa muda puteranya, derianya tidak terjejas, dan baginda menikmati kebahagiaan material sebanyak yang diingininya.
FAQs
This verse says an ideal ruler protects the subjects like a father—properly maintaining and caring for them—while living responsibly according to dharma.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while narrating the royal histories and standards of righteous rule in the Ninth Canto.
Whether leading a family, team, or community, one should protect and nurture dependents responsibly, and enjoy life’s comforts in a regulated, appropriate way without neglecting duty.