Shloka 1
Āgnīdhra Meets Pūrvacitti and Begets the Nine Sons of Jambūdvīpa
श्रीशुक उवाच एवं पितरि सम्प्रवृत्ते तदनुशासने वर्तमान आग्नीध्रो जम्बूद्वीपौकस: प्रजा औरसवद्धर्मावेक्षमाण: पर्यगोपायत् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ pitari sampravṛtte tad-anuśāsane vartamāna āgnīdhro jambūdvīpaukasaḥ prajā aurasavad dharmāvekṣamāṇaḥ paryagopāyat.
श्रीशुक उवाच— एवं पितरि सम्प्रवृत्ते तदनुशासने वर्तमानः आग्नीध्रः जम्बूद्वीपौकसः प्रजाः औरसवत् धर्मावेक्षमाणः पर्यगोपायत्।
Following the instruction of his father, Mahārāja Priyavrata, Mahārāja Āgnīdhra ruled the inhabitants of Jambūdvīpa according to religious principles. These principles are exactly contrary to the modern principles of faithlessness. As clearly stated here, the King protected the citizens the way a father protects his begotten children. How he ruled the citizens is also described here — dharmāvekṣamāṇaḥ, strictly according to religious principles. It is the duty of the executive head of a state to see that the citizens strictly follow religious principles. The Vedic religious principles begin with varṇāśrama-dharma, the duties of the four varṇas and four āśramas. Dharma refers to principles given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The first principle of dharma, or religion, is to observe the duties of the four orders as enjoined by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to people’s qualities and activities, society should be divided into brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras and then again into brahmacārīs, gṛhasthas, vānaprasthas and sannyāsīs. These are religious principles, and it is the duty of the head of state to see that his citizens strictly follow them. He should not merely act officially; he should be like a father who is always a well-wisher of his sons. Such a father strictly observes whether his sons are performing their duties, and sometimes he also punishes them.
FAQs
This verse says Āgnīdhra ruled by following his father’s instructions, protecting the people of Jambūdvīpa like his own children and governing according to dharma—an ideal of compassionate, duty-centered leadership.
The Bhagavatam highlights the king’s parental responsibility: a ruler should not exploit subjects but nurture and safeguard them with affection, fairness, and dharmic oversight.
Whether leading a family, team, or community, one should honor wise guidance, act with responsibility, and prioritize the well-being of those under one’s care—making decisions anchored in ethics rather than self-interest.