Canto
4
Chapter 16: King Prithu Extolled
(1) The professional reciters, content of hearing the king speak these nectarine words, therefore praised him to the instructions of the sages:(2) 'We are not able to fully describe the glories of him who as the foremost godhead descended out of his own mercy. Despite of the fact that he appeared from the body of Vena, do his glories bewilder the minds of the foremost speakers. (3) Nevertheless will we try to put the name of King Prithu, famous as a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in the sweetest words, in accord with what the wise told us to; encouraged by the liberal and laudable of his activities, we shall try to spread the word of it. (4) This king, as the best defender of the faith, will incite the whole world to follow dutifully; apart from being the protector of the principles of human nature he is also the chastiser of all who are against them. (5) He is the one that no doubt alone bears all forms of all local deities in himself and to that justice will each and everyone, both high and low, receive in due course of time his proper share and prosper. (6) All the riches this king exacts will by him in time equally be returned to all living beings, just like the all-powerful sun-god does in his shining. (7) He will take the duty of the earth upon him to be always kind to the aggrieved and to be tolerant with people who trample him, the king, on his head. (8) As easy as Indra answers with rain when the supply fails and the living entities suffer, will that divine man of God, this embodiment of the Lord, be sure to protect the citizens. (9) By the glances and bright smile of his beautiful affectionate moonlike face will the whole world be enhanced. (10) The policies of this king are unseen, his actions secret, his accomplishments hidden, his treasury unlimited; his soul, as the only reservoir of all good qualities will be covered, like with Varuna, the king of the seas. (11) Born from Vena like fire from firewood, he is difficult to approach and [for his enemies] unbearable; even though approached, he stays at a distance; no one will be able to defeat him. (12) Inside as well as outside he spies, overseeing the activities of all living beings as the neutral witness, just like the in- and outgoing air does with the life force of all the embodied. (13) Firm on the path of piety, he will not think of punishing the son of his enemy when he is not to be punished, but his own son he will just as well punish if he deserves it. (14) Like the sun-god shining his light everywhere, will the circle of influence of Prithu unimpeded remain the most powerful up to Mânasa Mountain [the arctic region]. (15) The whole world will be pleased by his personal activities and will therefore call him 'the King Happy to the Mind of the Citizens'. (16) Firm in his determination and always of the truth, in favor of the brahminical and serving the elderly, he is the one of respect with whom all living beings seek their shelter; the caring parent to the afflicted. (17) To other women he is as respectful as to his mother, to his own wife he is like the other half of the body, unto the citizens he is like an affectionate father and he is a servant to those who believe in God. (18) All, embodied alike himself, are dear to him, he increases the pleasure of his friends, he intimately associates with those who are free from attachment; this king is the hand chastising the wicked. (19) He who is directly the unchanging Supreme Lord over the three worlds, descended as a partial [s'aktyâves'a] expansion of the Supersoul; he sees the certainty of confiding in the variegatedness of matter as having no meaning, as it is born from nescience. (20) From the earliest light of day over the hills on, will he as the king of the world, uniquely heroic, protect the globe as the master of all gods of men; from his victorious chariot upholding the bow, will he be everywhere around like the sun that passes over from the south. (21) For certain will all kings of all places offer him presentations; with the local deities will the wives of these kings see him as the Original King bearing the weapon of his disc carrying his [His] reputation. (22) He will milk the earth in the form of a cow; as an extraordinary king and progenitor [de prajâpati] he will provide for the facilities of living for the populace; for his pastimes will he, simply by the sharp of his bow, level the mountain of the rainclouds, breaking them apart in preparing the earth like Indra, the king of heaven. (23) Vibrating his bow of horn when he in person travels the earth, will he, invincible in battle, at the time drive all warmongers into hiding, keeping his tail high like a lion. (24) This king will perform a hundred as'vamedha [horse-] sacrifices at the source of the Sarasvatî river, where his horse during the last of the hundred sacrifices will be stolen by Lord Indra. (25) He, in the garden of his palace, will meet the worshipable Sanat-kumâra alone and will, with his devotion being of worship, achieve that uncontaminated transcendental knowledge by which the Spirit of the Absolute Truth is enjoyed. (26) Of the repute of his chivalry thus put in so many words, he will hear about himself in songs and narrations as Prithu, the king of supreme power. (27) Conquering everywhere with no one checking him he will, by the grace of his own prowess, pluck out all the piercing thorns of life; he will be glorified by the leaders of the godly and the godless as the great soul and become the lord of the world.'
Second edition, loaded October 17, 2006.
Source texts:
Praise of King Prithu by the Professional Reciters
Maitreya said: 'The professional reciters, content of hearing the king speak these nectarine words, therefore praised him to the instructions of the sages:The great sage Maitreya continued: While King Prithu thus spoke, the humility of his nectarine speeches pleased the reciters very much. Then again they continued to praise the King highly with exalted prayers, as they had been instructed by the great sages. (Vedabase)
'We are not able to fully describe the glories of him who as the foremost godhead descended out of his own mercy. Despite of the fact that he appeared from the body of Vena, do his glories bewilder the minds of the foremost speakers.
The reciters continued: Dear King, you are a direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, and by His causeless mercy you have descended on this earth. Therefore it is not possible for us to actually glorify your exalted activities. Although you have appeared through the body of King Vena, even great orators and speakers like Lord Brahmâ and other demigods cannot exactly describe the glorious activities of Your Lordship. (Vedabase)
Nevertheless will we try to put the name of King Prithu, famous as a partial incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in the sweetest words, in accord with what the wise told us to; encouraged by the liberal and laudable of his activities, we shall try to spread the word of it.
Although we are unable to glorify you adequately, we nonetheless have a transcendental taste for glorifying your activities. We shall try to glorify you according to the instructions received from authoritative sages and scholars. Whatever we speak, however, is always inadequate and very insignificant. Dear King, because you are a direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all your activities are liberal and ever laudable. (Vedabase)
This king, as the best defender of the faith, will incite the whole world to follow dutifully; apart from being the protector of the principles of human nature he is also the chastiser of all who are against them.
This King, Mahârâja Prithu, is the best amongst those who are following religious principles. As such, he will engage everyone in the pursuit of religious principles and give those principles all protection. He will also be a great chastiser to the irreligious and atheistic. (Vedabase)
He is the one that no doubt alone bears all forms of all local deities in himself and to that justice will each and everyone, both high and low, receive in due course of time his proper share and prosper.
This King alone, in his own body, will be able in due course of time to maintain all living entities and keep them in a pleasant condition by manifesting himself as different demigods to perform various departmental activities. Thus he will maintain the upper planetary system by inducing the populace to perform Vedic sacrifices. In due course of time he will also maintain this earthly planet by discharging proper rainfall. (Vedabase)
All the riches this king exacts will by him in time equally be returned to all living beings, just like the all-powerful sun-god does in his shining.
This King Prithu will be as powerful as the sun-god, and just as the sun-god equally distributes his sunshine to everyone, King Prithu will distribute his mercy equally. Similarly, just as the sun-god evaporates water for eight months and, during the rainy season, returns it profusely, this King will also exact taxes from the citizens and return these monies in times of need. (Vedabase)
He will take the duty of the earth upon him to be always kind to the aggrieved and to be tolerant with people who trample him, the king, on his head.
This King Prithu will be very, very kind to all citizens. Even though a poor person may trample over the King's head by violating the rules and regulations, the King, out of his causeless mercy, will be forgetful and forgiving. As a protector of the world, he will be as tolerant as the earth itself. (Vedabase)
As easy as Indra answers with rain when the supply fails and the living entities suffer, will that divine man of God, this embodiment of the Lord, be sure to protect the citizens.
When there is no rainfall and the citizens are in great danger due to the scarcity of water, this royal Personality of Godhead will be able to supply rains exactly like the heavenly King Indra. Thus he will very easily be able to protect the citizens from drought. (Vedabase)
By the glances and bright smile of his beautiful affectionate moonlike face will the whole world be enhanced.
This King, Prithu Mahârâja, by virtue of his affectionate glances and beautiful moonlike face, which is always smiling with great affection for the citizens, will enhance everyone's peaceful life. (Vedabase)
The policies of this king are unseen, his actions secret, his accomplishments hidden, his treasury unlimited; his soul, as the only reservoir of all good qualities will be covered, like with Varuna, the king of the seas.
The reciters continued: No one will be able to understand the policies the King will follow. His activities will also be very confidential, and it will not be possible for anyone to know how he will make every activity successful. His treasury will always remain unknown to everyone. He will be the reservoir of unlimited glories and good qualities, and his position will be maintained and covered just as Varuna, the deity of the seas, is covered all around by water. (Vedabase)
Born from Vena like fire from firewood, he is difficult to approach and [for his enemies] unbearable; even though approached, he stays at a distance; no one will be able to defeat him.
King Prithu was born of the dead body of King Vena as fire is produced from arani wood. Thus King Prithu will always remain just like fire, and his enemies will not be able to approach him. Indeed, he will be unbearable to his enemies, for although staying very near him, they will never be able to approach him but will have to remain as if far away. No one will be able to overcome the strength of King Prithu. (Vedabase)
Inside as well as outside he spies, overseeing the activities of all living beings as the neutral witness, just like the in- and outgoing air does with the life force of all the embodied.
King Prithu will be able to see all the internal and external activities of every one of his citizens. Still no one will be able to know his system of espionage, and he himself will remain neutral regarding all matters of glorification or vilification paid to him. He will be exactly like air, the life force within the body, which is exhibited internally and externally but is always neutral to all affairs. (Vedabase)
Firm on the path of piety, he will not think of punishing the son of his enemy when he is not to be punished, but his own son he will just as well punish if he deserves it.
Since this King will always remain on the path of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is not punishable, he will not punish him, but if his own son is punishable, he will immediately punish him. (Vedabase)
Like the sun-god shining his light everywhere, will the circle of influence of Prithu unimpeded remain the most powerful up to Mânasa Mountain [the arctic region].
Just as the sun-god expands his shining rays up to the Arctic region without impedance, the influence of King Prithu will cover all tracts of land up to the Arctic region and will remain undisturbed as long as he lives. (Vedabase)
The whole world will be pleased by his personal activities and will therefore call him 'the King Happy to the Mind of the Citizens'.
This King will please everyone by his practical activities, and all of his citizens will remain very satisfied. Because of this the citizens will take great satisfaction in accepting him as their ruling king. (Vedabase)
Firm in his determination and always of the truth, in favor of the brahminical and serving the elderly, he is the one of respect with whom all living beings seek their shelter; the caring parent to the afflicted.
The King will be firmly determined and always situated in truth. He will be a lover of the brahminical culture and will render all service to old men and give shelter to all surrendered souls. Giving respect to all, he will always be merciful to the poor and innocent. (Vedabase)
To other women he is as respectful as to his mother, to his own wife he is like the other half of the body, unto the citizens he is like an affectionate father and he is a servant to those who believe in God.
The King will respect all women as if they were his own mother, and he will treat his own wife as the other half of his body. He will be just like an affectionate father to his citizens, and he will treat himself as the most obedient servant of the devotees, who always preach the glories of the Lord. (Vedabase)
All, embodied alike himself, are dear to him, he increases the pleasure of his friends, he intimately associates with those who are free from attachment; this king is the hand chastising the wicked.
The King will consider all embodied living entities as dear as his own self, and he will always be increasing the pleasures of his friends. He will intimately associate with liberated persons, and he will be a chastising hand to all impious persons. (Vedabase)Text 19:
He who is directly the unchanging Supreme Lord over the three worlds, descended as a partial [s'aktyâves'a] expansion of the Supersoul; he sees the certainty of confiding in the variegatedness of matter as having no meaning, as it is born from nescience.
This King is the master of the three worlds, and he is directly empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is without change, and he is an incarnation of the Supreme known as a s'aktyâves'a-avatâra. Being a liberated soul and completely learned, he sees all material varieties as meaningless because their basic principle is nescience. (Vedabase)
From the earliest light of day over the hills on, will he as the king of the world, uniquely heroic, protect the globe as the master of all gods of men; from his victorious chariot upholding the bow, will he be everywhere around like the sun that passes over from the south.
This King, being uniquely powerful and heroic, will have no competitor. He will travel around the globe on his victorious chariot, holding his invincible bow in his hand and appearing exactly like the sun, which rotates in its own orbit from the south. (Vedabase)
For certain will all kings of all places offer him presentations; with the local deities will the wives of these kings see him as the Original King bearing the weapon of his disc carrying his [His] reputation.
When the King travels all over the world, other kings, as well as the demigods, will offer him all kinds of presentations. Their queens will also consider him the original king, who carries in His hands the emblems of club and disc, and will sing of his fame, for he will be as reputable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Vedabase)
He will milk the earth in the form of a cow; as an extraordinary king and progenitor [de prajâpati] he will provide for the facilities of living for the populace; for his pastimes will he, simply by the sharp of his bow, level the mountain of the rainclouds, breaking them apart in preparing the earth like Indra, the king of heaven.
This King, this protector of the citizens, is an extraordinary king and is equal to the Prajâpati demigods. For the living facility of all citizens, he will milk the earth, which is like a cow. Not only that, but he will level the surface of the earth with the pointed ends of his bow, breaking all the hills exactly as King Indra, the heavenly King, breaks mountains with his powerful thunderbolt. (Vedabase)
Vibrating his bow of horn when he in person travels the earth, will he, invincible in battle, at the time drive all warmongers into hiding, keeping his tail high like a lion.
When the lion travels in the forest with its tail turned upward, all menial animals hide themselves. Similarly, when King Prithu will travel over his kingdom and vibrate the string of his bow, which is made of the horns of goats and bulls and is irresistible in battle, all demoniac rogues and thieves will hide themselves in all directions. (Vedabase)
This king will perform a hundred as'vamedha [horse-] sacrifices at the source of the Sarasvatî river, where his horse during the last of the hundred sacrifices will be stolen by Lord Indra.
At the source of the River Sarasvatî, this King will perform one hundred sacrifices known as as'vamedha. In the course of the last sacrifice, the heavenly King Indra will steal the sacrificial horse. (Vedabase)
He, in the garden of his palace, will meet the worshipable Sanat-kumâra alone and will, with his devotion being of worship, achieve that uncontaminated transcendental knowledge by which the Spirit of the Absolute Truth is enjoyed.
This King Prithu will meet Sanat-kumâra, one of the four Kumâras, in the garden of his palace compound. The King will worship him with devotion and will be fortunate to receive instructions by which one can enjoy transcendental bliss. (Vedabase)
Of the repute of his chivalry thus put in so many words, he will hear about himself in songs and narrations as Prithu, the king of supreme power.
In this way when the chivalrous activities of King Prithu come to be known to the people in general, King Prithu will always hear about himself and his uniquely powerful activities. (Vedabase)
Conquering everywhere with no one checking him he will, by the grace of his own prowess, pluck out all the piercing thorns of life; he will be glorified by the leaders of the godly and the godless as the great soul and become the lord of the world.
No one will be able to disobey the orders of Prithu Mahârâja. After conquering the world, he will completely eradicate the threefold miseries of the citizens. Then he will be recognized all over the world. At that time both the suras and the asuras will undoubtedly glorify his magnanimous activities. (Vedabase)
For
this original translation a one-volume printed copy
has been used with an extensive commentary.
ISBN: o-91277-27-7
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