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
如父母为子女之友与养护者，如眼睑护眼，如夫为妻之扶持与守护，如居士为乞者之依怙，如智者为愚者之善友；如是国王为一切臣民之护持者与赐生者。树木亦为王之臣民，故当加以保护。
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.