Shloka 55
Pṛthu Mahārāja Meets the Four Kumāras: Bhakti as the Boat Across Saṁsāra
गोपीथाय जगत्सृष्टे: काले स्वे स्वेऽच्युतात्मक: । मनोवाग्वृत्तिभि: सौम्यैर्गुणै: संरञ्जयन् प्रजा: ॥ ५५ ॥
gopīthāya jagat-sṛṣṭeḥ kāle sve sve ’cyutātmakaḥ mano-vāg-vṛttibhiḥ saumyair guṇaiḥ saṁrañjayan prajāḥ
भगवद्भक्तः पृथुर्महाराजो जगत्सृष्टेः गोपीथाय स्वकाले स्वे स्वेऽच्युतात्मकः। सौम्यैर्मनोवाग्वृत्तिभिर्गुणैश्च प्रजाः स्वस्वेच्छानुसारं सर्वथा संरञ्जयामास॥
As will be explained in the next verse, Pṛthu Mahārāja used to please all kinds of citizens by his extraordinary capacity to understand the mentality of others. Indeed, his dealings were so perfect that every one of the citizens was very much satisfied and lived in complete peace. The word acyutātmakaḥ is significant in this verse, for Mahārāja Pṛthu used to rule this planet as the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He knew that he was the representative of the Lord and that the Lord’s creation must be protected intelligently. Atheists cannot understand the purpose behind the creation. Although this material world is condemned when it is compared to the spiritual world, there is still some purpose behind it. Modern scientists and philosophers cannot understand that purpose, nor do they believe in the existence of a creator. They try to establish everything by their so-called scientific research, but they do not center anything around the supreme creator. A devotee, however, can understand the purpose of creation, which is to give facilities to the individual living entities who want to lord it over material nature. The ruler of this planet should therefore know that all the inhabitants, especially human beings, have come to this material world for sense enjoyment. It is therefore the duty of the ruler to satisfy them in their sense enjoyment as well as to elevate them to Kṛṣṇa consciousness so that they all can ultimately return home, back to Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says the infallible Lord (Acyuta) manifests according to time and need to protect creation, and He guides people through gentle qualities expressed in mind, speech, and conduct.
Pṛthu frames good governance as aligned with the Supreme Lord’s protective purpose—reminding citizens that divine order sustains society and that leadership should reflect the Lord’s benevolent, gentle qualities.
Cultivate calm intentions, truthful and kind speech, and consistent respectful behavior—these qualities protect relationships and society, mirroring the Lord’s sustaining care.