Shloka 81
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
प्राचीनबर्ही राजर्षि: प्रजासर्गाभिरक्षणे । आदिश्य पुत्रानगमत्तपसे कपिलाश्रमम् ॥ ८१ ॥
prācīnabarhī rājarṣiḥ prajā-sargābhirakṣaṇe ādiśya putrān agamat tapase kapilāśramam
وزیروں کی موجودگی میں راجَرشی پراچینبرہی نے اپنے بیٹوں کو رعایا کی حفاظت کا حکم دیا، پھر گھر چھوڑ کر تپسیا کے لیے کپیلاش्रम چلے گئے۔
The word prajā-sarga is very important in this verse. When the saintly King Prācīnabarhi was induced by the great sage Nārada to leave home and take to the devotional service of the Lord, his sons had not yet returned from their austerities in the water. However, he did not wait for their return but simply left messages to the effect that his sons were to protect the mass of citizens. According to Vīrarāghava Ācārya, such protection means organizing the citizens into the specific divisions of the four varṇas and four āśramas. It was the responsibility of the royal order to see that the citizens were following the regulative principles of the four varṇas (namely brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra ) and the āśramas (namely brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa ). It is very difficult to rule citizens in a kingdom without organizing this varṇāśrama-dharma. To rule the mass of citizens in a state and keep them in a complete progressive order is not possible simply by passing laws every year in a legislative assembly. The varṇāśrama-dharma is essential in a good government. One class of men (the brāhmaṇas ) must be intelligent and brahminically qualified, another class must be trained in administrative work ( kṣatriya ), another in mercantile business ( vaiśya ), and another simply in labor ( śūdra ). These four classes of men are already there according to nature, but it is the government’s duty to see that all four of these classes follow the principles of their varṇas methodically. This is called abhirakṣaṇa, or protection.
FAQs
After entrusting his sons with the responsibilities of creating and protecting the population, he retired for austerity at Kapila’s hermitage to pursue spiritual advancement.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates this event while recounting the progress of King Prācīnabarhi after receiving higher instruction.
Fulfill responsibilities conscientiously, delegate duties appropriately, and then dedicate focused time to inner discipline and spiritual practice.