Shloka 4
Bharata Mahārāja’s Ideal Kingship and His Transition from Yajña to Exclusive Bhakti at Pulahāśrama
स बहुविन्महीपति: पितृपितामहवदुरुवत्सलतया स्वे स्वे कर्मणि वर्तमाना: प्रजा: स्वधर्ममनुवर्तमान: पर्यपालयत् ॥ ४ ॥
sa bahuvin mahī-patiḥ pitṛ-pitāmahavad uru-vatsalatayā sve sve karmaṇi vartamānāḥ prajāḥ sva-dharmam anuvartamānaḥ paryapālayat.
మహారాజ భరతుడు ఈ భూమిపై అత్యంత విద్యావంతుడూ అనుభవజ్ఞుడైన రాజు. తాను తన కర్తవ్యాలలో స్థిరంగా ఉండి, ప్రజలను వారి స్వధర్మంలో నిమగ్నం చేసి, తండ్రి-తాతలవలె మహా వాత్సల్యంతో పరిపాలించాడు।
It is most important that the chief executive rule the citizens by keeping them fully engaged in their respective occupational duties. Some of the citizens were brāhmaṇas, some were kṣatriyas, and some were vaiśyas and śūdras. It is the duty of the government to see that the citizens act according to these material divisions for their spiritual advancement. No one should remain unemployed or unoccupied in any way. One must work as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra on the material path, and on the spiritual path, everyone should act as a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha or sannyāsī. Although formerly the government was a monarchy, all the kings were very affectionate toward the citizens, and they strictly kept them engaged in their respective duties. Therefore society was very smoothly conducted.
FAQs
This verse describes the ideal king as learned, affectionate like a father, and committed to protecting citizens by ensuring they remain steady in their prescribed duties (sva-dharma) while he himself follows dharma.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is describing King Bharata, praising his learned nature and his fatherly protection of the people through dharmic governance.
Do your responsibilities with integrity and steadiness, and in leadership roles support others to do their duties ethically—protecting, guiding, and organizing without exploitation.