Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto 4

(1) Maitreya said [about King Prithu returning to his capital]: 'The city at the golden gates and everywhere around was decorated with pearls, flower garlands and cloth and there was also highly fragrant incense. (2) The streets, the parks and the lanes, that were sprinkled with water scented with sandalwood and aguru [a fragrant herb], were decorated with unbroken rice, flowers, fruits in their peel, precious stones, parched grains and lamps. (3) With everything being cleansed and festooned with leaves of various trees like fresh mango leaves and the flowers and fruits hanging down from pillars of banana trees and betel nut trees, it all looked very nice. (4) The citizens and many a beautiful radiating virgin decorated with tinkling earrings, came to welcome him equipped with lamps and countless articles of worship. (5) Even though the king when he entered the palace was honored with the sounds of kettledrums, conch shells and the Vedic chants of the priests, he took no pride in it. (6) With the great glory of thus being revered and pleased everywhere by the nobles and the commoners, he in his turn wished them all the best. (7) He had been so from the beginning: magnanimous in all his actions and doing great works regularly. He had become the greatest of the great and thus ruling with the achievement of a repute that had spread all over the world, he [finally] was elevated to the Supreme lotus feet.' "

(8) Sûta said: "Oh greatest of the devotees, oh leader of the sages [S'aunaka], after Maitreya thus befittingly had expounded on the high reputation of that ideal king so qualified because of his countless qualities, Vidura proved his great respect and addressed him. (9) Vidura said: 'When he [Prithu] was enthroned by the great souls of learning, he realized the full respect of the enlightened community and was by that grace of Vishnu able to expand to the strength of a rule of law by which he managed to break open [and exploit] the earth. (10) Who would not enjoy to hear about his glories, about his intelligence and his chivalry, to the example of which even to this day so many kings and their local rulers proceed in procuring what they desire for their livelihood? Please tell me [more] about those good deeds.'

(11) Maitreya proceeded: 'Living in the land between the two rivers the Ganges and the Yamunâ, he who was destined to enjoy the fortune of his pious deeds, exhausted his merits. (12) Except for the brahmin culture and the souls in succession devoted to the Infallible One [the Vaishnavas], there was for everyone on the seven continents the irrevocable order of him as the one ruler holding the scepter. (13) And so he one day took a vow to initiate a great sacrifice to the occasion of which the authorities of God assembled: the brahmin sages, the wise kings and all the great devotees. (14) To that occasion he offered his obeisances to all the respectable souls who deserved it according to their respective positions, standing in their midst like the moon between the stars. (15-16) He was a tall man, well built with strong arms and a lotuslike fair complexion, eyes as bright as a sunrise, a straight nose and a beautiful face with a grave expression, high shoulders and teeth brilliant at the smile. He had a broad chest, a firm waist with beautiful folds in his abdomen like the leaf of a banana tree, a coiled navel, thighs of a golden hue and an arched instep. (17) With fine, curly, slick black hair on his head and a neck like a conch he was dressed in a very valuable dhotî with over his upper body a wrapper worn like a sacred thread. (18) With all the beauty of his physical appearance he was the one appointed to give up his garments according to the regulations. Nicely covered by a black deerskin and with a ring of kus'a grass around his finger, he then performed as was required. (19) With starry eyes as moist as the dew, he glanced over all the souls around him and then, for the purpose of pleasing the assembly, began to speak in terms of the following elevating discourse. (20) What he brought to mind for them was of a great importance and beauty and was flowery, crystal clear and free from doubt spoken to the benefit of all.

(21) The king addressing the ones present said: 'Listen carefully, oh great souls present here, how I as an inquisitive man feel obliged to present to you, dear nobles, my conclusions concerning the principles of dharma. (22) I, carrying the scepter as the king of all citizens, am engaged in this world as the protector and employer of each person the way he is born in the context of his own [Vedically] established, separate social order. (23) By executing of Him, the Seer of all destiny, that what the experts in Vedic knowledge speak about, I expect to fulfill all the objectives as desired everywhere by everyone. (24) Anyone who as a king exacts taxes from the citizens without reminding them of their respective [varnâs'rama] duties of age and vocation, will according to the impiety of his citizens, also have to relinquish the enjoyment of his own fortune. (25) Therefore, my dear citizens, it suffers no doubt that whatever you, without grumbling, out of your own real interest [according to the varnâs'rama system] do with Him beyond the senses in mind, constitutes a great service unto me. When you serve His interest, you are of service to me, your protector. (26) All of you present here as people faithful to the forefathers, the gods, the sages and the sinless, please take this at heart: in the hereafter the results of one's actions are equally shared by the performer of the deeds, by their director and by their supporter. (27) Oh respectable souls, there must be someone like Him who sometimes [in the scriptures] is called the Lord of Sacrifice. Why else would one in this material world and in the hereafter see embodiments of [great] power and beauty? (28-29) Manu, Uttânapâda [Dhruva's father], Dhruva and no doubt the great king Priyavrata and my grandfather Anga, these great and saintly personalities as also others of the Unborn Soul like Prahlâda and Bali Mahârâja, are proof of the existence of Him Holding the Club. (30) Except for descendants like my father who, abominably acting like death personified, had lost his way on the path of religion, one as good as always ascribes the elevation to higher worlds and class to the [in dharmic action] being liberated from the material motive for the sake of the One Supreme Soul. (31) Persons of penance destroy, because of their inclination to serve the lotus feet, immediately the dirt that accumulated in their minds in countless births. Just like the [Ganges] water that emanating from His toes vanquishes all dirt, they, day after day, see their purity increasing. (32)

By particularly time and again gathering strength in seeking, in a systematic scientific way, refuge at His lotus feet, the person disgusted with the endless ruminations will purify himself and not again surrender to a materially motivated life full of hindrances. (33) All you citizens, in order to be satisfied, be sure of being devoted at His lotus feet according to your personal sense of duty. Be in your thoughts, your words and in a physical sense, of the particular qualities of your own type of work and answer with an open mind, in the full of your conviction, to all that is wanted, as far as your talents allow. (34) He who is present in this world with His various qualities and transcendence is worshiped with different kinds of sacrifices. In these sacrifices, performed with physical means and the practicing of mantras, His forms and names, as a condensation of His nature, then serve the purpose of the science of being free from contaminations. (35) Just like fire manifests differently depending the shape and quality of the firewood, the Almighty One also manifests this body [of forms and names] by activities and in a consciousness that are the result of a certain combination of the non-manifest primary nature [see also 3.26: 10], the time, the mental disposition and the dutifulness. (36) Oh all of you, by incessantly with firm determination on this earth by means of your occupational duties worshipping the Supreme Lord, the enjoyer of the sacrifice and the spiritual teacher, you share your grace with me. (37) Those who are of great opulence [the rulers] should never exercise power over the blessed souls devoted to the Unconquerable One [Vishnu], nor over those who practice tolerance, are of penance and are [spiritually] educated, for they personally constitute the ruling class of the twice-born souls [the brahmins] in society. (38) The Original Personality, the oldest and eternal Lord and godhead of the brahminical culture, acquired the opulence of His eternal fame of being the great elevated leader who purifies the entire universe, by exercising respect for their lotus feet. (39) By serving them one satisfies the unlimited, independent Lord dwelling in every one's heart. Therefore are those who humbly follow in His footsteps, in every respect constantly of service to the brahmin class. (40) A person automatically without delay achieves the greatest peace and the satisfaction of his soul when he regularly relates to them by means of delivering service, for who would be a better mouth and hand for the ghee that is offered? (41) Ananta, the Lord of the Snake bed, is never as pleased to eat from sacrifices in the fire, which [on itself] is bereft of consciousness, as He is by those sacrifices that, with faith and the worship of names in the midst of devotees, are offered in the mouths of the knowers of the Absolute. (42) Everything that with faith, austerity, auspicious actions, silence, an absorbed mind and sense control is propagated by the constant, pure and original brahminical culture, is there for the sake of showing the true meaning and purpose of the Vedic vision, in which this world is reflected as clear as in a mirror. (43) Oh people of culture, I will carry the dust of the lotus feet of all of them on my helmet until the end of my life. Everyone who always engages this way will soon vanquish his sins and be blessed with all qualities. (44) He whose wealth consists of good conduct and gratitude, he who seeks refuge with the learned and acquired all the good qualities, will achieve all the fortune of God. May the Maintainer of the three worlds as also His devotees be pleased with the brahmin class, with the cows and with me.'

(45) Maitreya said: 'The king speaking thus was congratulated by all the virtuous souls present: the elderly, the godly and the twice-born who satisfied and happy minded exclaimed 'sâdhu, sâdhu!' ['well done, well spoken!' They said:] (46) 'The Vedic teaching, which says that someone becomes victorious in all the worlds through his son, has become true now that he [Prithu] in a grand manner has delivered his most sinful father Vena from the darkness [in which he landed] after being cursed by the brahmins. (47) Also Hiranyakas'ipu who, because of repeatedly blaspheming the Supreme Lord, entered the darkest regions, was delivered by the actions of his son Prahlâda. (48) Best of all warriors, dear father of the earth whose devotion unto the Infallible One, the one Maintainer of all the worlds, is so exemplary, may you life forever. (49) Today, oh Supreme One of Purity, we are because of you under the rule of the Lord of Liberation Mukunda, of Him, Vishnu who, appearing in the stories of the scriptures, is glorified as the worshipable Lord of the brahmins. (50) It is nothing special, oh lord, to rule over citizens for one's income. What is of greatness, is the nature of your affection and mercy for all living beings. (51) We, who as a consequence of our deeds in the past lost their goal in life and determined by fate are wandering around, today because of you have learned to know the other side of the darkness of material existence. (52) Our obeisances to you whom we honor as a personality moved by the quality of goodness, as someone who by dint of his personal prowess inspires the brahminical culture and maintains [the honor of] the ruling class.'

Maitreya said [about King Prithu returning to his capital]: 'The city at the golden gates and everywhere around was decorated with pearls, flower garlands and cloth and there was also highly fragrant incense.

Maitreya said: '[He, Prithu returning to his city found that] At the golden gates and everywhere around there was the decoration of pearls, flower garlands, cloth and highly fragrant incense. (Vedabase)

Text 2

The streets, the parks and the lanes, that were sprinkled with water scented with sandalwood and aguru [a fragrant herb], were decorated with unbroken rice, flowers, fruits in their peel, precious stones, parched grains and lamps.

The pathway for his chariot, the parks and the lanes were sprinkled with water scented with sandalwood and aguru [a fragrant herb] and were decorated with flowers, fruits in their peel, precious stones, soaked grains and lamps. (Vedabase)

Text 3

With everything being cleansed and festooned with leaves of various trees like fresh mango leaves and the flowers and fruits hanging down from pillars of banana trees and betel nut trees, it all looked very nice.

Everything cleansed, with young lifestock, elephants for the procession and young plants and mango leaves, garlands of flowers and fruits hanging down from pillars of banana trees, it all looked very nice. (Vedabase)

Text 4

The citizens and many a beautiful radiating virgin decorated with tinkling earrings, came to welcome him equipped with lamps and countless articles of worship.

The citizens and many a beautiful radiating virgin with tinkling earrings, came to meet him equipped with lamps and countless articles of worship for a welcome. (Vedabase)

Text 5

Even though the king when he entered the palace was honored with the sounds of kettledrums, conch shells and the Vedic chants of the priests, he took no pride in it.

Though the king entering the palace was honored with the sounds of kettledrums, conchshells and vedic chanting by the priests, took he no pride in it. (Vedabase)

Text 6

With the great glory of thus being revered and pleased everywhere by the nobles and the commoners, he in his turn wished them all the best.

Against the backdrop of the great show of reverence everywhere and that way pleased by the nobles and the commoners, wished he on his turn them all the best. (Vedabase)

Text 7

He had been so from the beginning: magnanimous in all his actions and doing great works regularly. He had become the greatest of the great and thus ruling with the achievement of a repute that had spread all over the world, he [finally] was elevated to the Supreme lotus feet.' "

He had been so from the beginning: magnanimous in all his actions, doing great works regularly; he had become the greatest of the great and so ruling with the achievement of a repute spread the world all over, was he elevated to the Supreme of the lotus feet'." (Vedabase)

Text 8

Sûta said: "Oh greatest of the devotees, oh leader of the sages [S'aunaka], after Maitreya thus befittingly had expounded on the high reputation of that ideal king so qualified because of his countless qualities, Vidura proved his great respect and addressed him.

Sûta said: "O greatest of the devotees, leader of the sages [S'aunaka], after Maitreya had so befittingly expounded on the high reputation of that ideal king qualified by his countless qualities, addressed Vidura him, proving his great respect. (Vedabase)

Text 9

Vidura said: 'When he [Prithu] was enthroned by the great souls of learning, he realized the full respect of the enlightened community and was by that grace of Vishnu able to expand to the strength of a rule of law by which he managed to break open [and exploit] the earth.

Vidura said: 'When he, Prithu, was enthroned by the great ones of learning, realized he the support of the enlightened community and could he expand by the grace of Vishnu to the strength of rule by which he managed to exploit the entire earth. (Vedabase)

Text 10

Who would not enjoy to hear about his glories, about his intelligence and his chivalry, to the example of which even to this day so many kings and their local rulers proceed in procuring what they desire for their livelihood? Please tell me [more] about those good deeds.'

Who wouldn't enjoy to hear about the glories of him, about his intelligence and his chivalry to the example of which so many kings and their local rulers proceeded in procuring what they desired for their livelihood; please speak [again] to me about those good deeds.' (Vedabase)

Text 11

Maitreya proceeded: 'Living in the land between the two rivers the Ganges and the Yamunâ, he who was destined to enjoy the fortune of his pious deeds, exhausted his merits.

Maitreya proceeded: 'Living in the land between the two rivers the Ganges and the Yamunâ, it appeared that his enjoying the fortune of his pious deeds was destined to go at the cost of them. (Vedabase)

Text 12

Except for the brahmin culture and the souls in succession devoted to the Infallible One [the Vaishnavas], there was for everyone on the seven continents the irrevocable order of him as the one ruler holding the scepter.

For everyone in the seven continents, except for the brahmins of culture and the lineage of the ones devoted to the Infallible One, there was his irrevocable order as the one ruler holding the scepter. (Vedabase)

Text 13

And so he one day took a vow to initiate a great sacrifice to the occasion of which the authorities of God assembled: the brahmin sages, the wise kings and all the great devotees.

So, once upon a time, taking a vow, he started a great sacrifice and in that function there was a great assembly of the authorities of the divine, the brahmin sages, the wise kings and greatest of devotees. (Vedabase)

Text 14

To that occasion he offered his obeisances to all the respectable souls who deserved it according to their respective positions, standing in their midst like the moon between the stars.

In that great meeting he offered his obeisances to all those who respectable deserved it according their respective positions, standing in their midst like the moon does between the stars. (Vedabase)

Text 15-16

He was a tall man, well built with strong arms and a lotuslike fair complexion, eyes as bright as a sunrise, a straight nose and a beautiful face with a grave expression, high shoulders and teeth brilliant at the smile. He had a broad chest, a firm waist with beautiful folds in his abdomen like the leaf of a banana tree, a coiled navel, thighs of a golden hue and an arched instep.

He was a tall man, well built with strong arms and a lotus-like fair complexion, eyes as bright as a sunrise, a straight nose and a beautiful face with a grave expression, high shoulders and teeth brilliant at the smile, a broad chest, a firm waist with beautiful folds of skin in his abdomen like the leaf of a banana tree, a coiled navel, thighs of a golden hue and an arched instep. (Vedabase)

Text 17

With fine, curly, slick black hair on his head and a neck like a conch he was dressed in a very valuable dhotî with over his upper body a wrapper worn like a sacred thread.

He had fine, curly, slick black hair on his head, a neck like a conch and he was dressed in a very valuable dhotî with over his upper body a wrapper worn like a sacred thread. (Vedabase)

Text 18

With all the beauty of his physical appearance he was the one appointed to give up his garments according to the regulations. Nicely covered by a black deerskin and with a ring of kus'a grass around his finger, he then performed as was required.

With all the beauty of his physique was he the one appointed to give up his garments according the regulations; put on a black deerskin, with a ring of kus'agrass around his finger, he then performed as was required. (Vedabase)