Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 49
Dhruva-vaṁśa Continuation: Utkala’s Renunciation, Aṅga’s Sacrifice, and the Birth of Vena
Prelude to Pṛthu
अलक्षयन्त: पदवीं प्रजापते- र्हतोद्यमा: प्रत्युपसृत्य ते पुरीम् । ऋषीन् समेतानभिवन्द्य साश्रवो न्यवेदयन् पौरव भर्तृविप्लवम् ॥ ४९ ॥
alakṣayantaḥ padavīṁ prajāpater hatodyamāḥ pratyupasṛtya te purīm ṛṣīn sametān abhivandya sāśravo nyavedayan paurava bhartṛ-viplavam
百姓四处搜寻却找不到国王的任何踪迹，便极其失望地返回城中；因国王不在，国内诸大圣贤已在此集会。众人泪眼盈眶，向诸仙圣恭敬礼拜，并详尽禀告：他们无论何处都未能寻得国王。
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fourth Canto, Thirteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahārāja.”
FAQs
This verse shows the citizens’ representatives returning in despair and reporting the ruler’s calamity to the sages, indicating that in societal breakdown, guidance is sought from saintly authorities grounded in dharma.
Their search for the Prajāpati’s path had failed and their efforts were thwarted; overwhelmed by the ruler’s misfortune, they respectfully informed the sages, who traditionally advise and correct governance.
When leadership fails and efforts seem blocked, respond with humility, seek counsel from wise and principled mentors, and report problems truthfully rather than acting impulsively.