Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 1
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
मैत्रेय उवाच दृष्ट्वात्मानं प्रवयसमेकदा वैन्य आत्मवान् । आत्मना वर्धिताशेषस्वानुसर्ग: प्रजापति: ॥ १ ॥ जगतस्तस्थुषश्चापि वृत्तिदो धर्मभृत्सताम् । निष्पादितेश्वरादेशो यदर्थमिह जज्ञिवान् ॥ २ ॥ आत्मजेष्वात्मजां न्यस्य विरहाद्रुदतीमिव । प्रजासु विमन:स्वेक: सदारोऽगात्तपोवनम् ॥ ३ ॥
maitreya uvāca dṛṣṭvātmānaṁ pravayasam ekadā vainya ātmavān ātmanā vardhitāśeṣa- svānusargaḥ prajāpatiḥ
Sinabi ni Maitreya: Sa huling yugto ng kanyang buhay, nang makita ni Vainya Pṛthu na siya’y tumatanda na, ang dakilang kaluluwang prajāpati—tagapagkaloob ng kabuhayan sa mga nilalang na gumagalaw at di-gumagalaw, at tagapagtanggol ng dharma para sa mga banal—ay ganap na naisakatuparan ang utos ni Bhagavān nang may lubos na pakikiisa sa Kanya. Pagkaraan, ipinamahagi niya ang lahat ng yaman na naipon niya sa lahat ng nilalang ayon sa dharma, at ipinagkatiwala ang daigdig—na itinuring niyang parang anak na babae—sa kanyang mga anak na lalaki. Halos umiiyak ang mga mamamayan sa paglayo ng hari; iniwan niya sila at nagtungo sa gubat ng pagninilay, mag-isa kasama ang kanyang asawa, upang magsagawa ng austeridad.
Mahārāja Pṛthu was one of the śaktyāveśa incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as such he appeared on the surface of the earth to execute the orders of the Supreme. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord is the proprietor of all planets, and He is always anxious to see that in each and every planet the living entities are happily living and executing their duties. As soon as there is some discrepancy in the execution of duties, the Lord appears on earth, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.7) : yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata.
FAQs
This verse shows that when one recognizes the arrival of old age, a wise person—like King Pṛthu—turns from worldly administration toward detachment and higher spiritual purpose.
Vainya is King Pṛthu, the son of King Vena. He is called Prajāpati because he protected and expanded the citizens and orderly progeny under dharma, acting as a true progenitor-ruler.
Regularly reflect on life’s impermanence, fulfill duties responsibly, and gradually increase spiritual practices (hearing, chanting, and service) so that detachment arises naturally when life’s phases change.