Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 12
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
तोकानां पितरौ बन्धू दृश: पक्ष्म स्त्रिया: पति: । पति: प्रजानां भिक्षूणां गृह्यज्ञानां बुध: सुहृत् ॥ १२ ॥
tokānāṁ pitarau bandhū dṛśaḥ pakṣma striyāḥ patiḥ patiḥ prajānāṁ bhikṣūṇāṁ gṛhy ajñānāṁ budhaḥ suhṛt
Như cha mẹ là bạn và người nuôi dưỡng con thơ; như mí mắt che chở con mắt; như người chồng là chỗ nương và người bảo hộ của người vợ; như gia chủ là nơi nương tựa của kẻ hành khất; như bậc học giả là bạn lành của kẻ vô tri—cũng vậy, nhà vua là người bảo hộ và ban sự sống cho mọi thần dân. Cây cối cũng là thần dân của vua; vì thế phải được che chở.
By the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead, there are various protectors and maintainers for helpless living entities. The trees are also considered prajās, subjects of the king, and therefore the duty of the monarch is to protect even the trees, not to speak of others. The king is duty-bound to protect the living entities in his kingdom. Thus although the parents are directly responsible for the protection and maintenance of their children, the duty of the king is to see that all parents do their duty properly. Similarly, the king is also responsible for overseeing the other protectors mentioned in this verse. It may also be noted that the beggars who should be maintained by the householders are not professional beggars, but sannyāsīs and brāhmaṇas, to whom the householders should supply food and clothing.
FAQs
This verse lists natural protectors and supports—parents for children, eyelashes for eyes, husband for wife, king for citizens, charity for mendicants, household sacrifices for householders, and saintly friendship for the wise—showing an ordered vision of dharma.
In the context of Dakṣa’s anger toward Nārada, Dakṣa argues for regulated social duties and household responsibilities, implying that disrupting family and social order is harmful.
Honor supportive relationships and responsibilities—care for family, seek wise counsel, support spiritual seekers through charity, and uphold ethical leadership and duty in one’s role.