Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 6
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
यर्हि वाव ह राजन् स राजपुत्र: प्रियव्रत: परमभागवतो नारदस्य चरणोपसेवयाञ्जसावगतपरमार्थसतत्त्वो ब्रह्मसत्रेण दीक्षिष्यमाण: अवनितलपरिपालनायाम्नातप्रवरगुणगणैकान्तभाजनतया स्वपित्रोपामन्त्रितो भगवति वासुदेव एवाव्यवधानसमाधियोगेन समावेशित-सकलकारकक्रियाकलापो नैवाभ्यनन्दद्यद्यपि तदप्रत्याम्नातव्यं तदधिकरण आत्मनोऽन्यस्माद सतोऽपि पराभवमन्वीक्षमाण: ॥ ६ ॥
yarhi vāva ha rājan sa rāja-putraḥ priyavrataḥ parama-bhāgavato nāradasya caraṇopasevayāñjasāvagata-paramārtha-satattvo brahma-satreṇa dīkṣiṣyamāṇo ’vani-tala-paripālanāyāmnāta-pravara-guṇa-gaṇaikānta-bhājanatayā sva-pitropāmantrito bhagavati vāsudeva evāvyavadhāna-samādhi-yogena samāveśita-sakala-kāraka-kriyā-kalāpo naivābhyanandad yadyapi tad apratyāmnātavyaṁ tad-adhikaraṇa ātmano ’nyasmād asato ’pi parābhavam anvīkṣamāṇaḥ.
Nagpatuloy si Śukadeva: “Mahal na Hari, ang prinsipe na si Priyavrata ay isang dakilang bhāgavata. Sa paglilingkod sa lotus na paa ni Nārada, ang kanyang gurong espirituwal, natamo niya ang ganap na pagkaunawa sa pinakamataas na katotohanan. Habang naghahanda siyang tumanggap ng dikṣā sa brahma-satra, hiniling ng kanyang ama na akuin niya ang pamamahala sa daigdig ayon sa dharma ng mga śāstra. Ngunit si Priyavrata ay laging nakalubog sa walang patid na samādhi-yoga sa pag-alaala kay Vāsudeva, kaya’t ang lahat ng kilos ng kanyang mga pandama ay naging paglilingkod sa Panginoon; kaya bagaman hindi niya maaaring tanggihan ang utos ng ama, hindi niya ito sinalubong nang may galak, sa pangambang mailihis siya mula sa bhakti.”
Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā: “Without serving the lotus feet of a pure Vaiṣṇava or spiritual master, no one has ever attained perfect liberation from material bondage.” Prince Priyavrata regularly served the lotus feet of Nārada, and thus the Prince perfectly understood transcendental subjects in truth ( sa-tattvaḥ ). The word sa-tattvaḥ means that Priyavrata knew all the facts about the spirit soul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the relationship between the spirit soul and the Supreme Personality of Godhead and he also knew all about this material world and the relationship of the spirit soul and the Supreme Lord within the material world. Thus the Prince decided to engage himself only in rendering service to the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows Priyavrata absorbed in Vāsudeva through unbroken samādhi, yet faced with an enjoined duty to rule; the Bhagavatam presents the tension and the need to honor duty without losing devotion.
Because his mind and actions were fully fixed on Vāsudeva, and he feared spiritual defeat or distraction even while living in the world if he accepted royal responsibilities.
Keep the core of life centered on remembrance and service to God, and perform unavoidable responsibilities carefully, watching for anything that weakens steady devotion.