Chapter 16 - The Eulogy of Pṛthu by Bards

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Maitreya said:

1. The bards were satisfied at heart by hearing his nectarlike words. Being urged by sages, they began to extol the king who was speaking thus.

2. We are competent to describe fully your glory as you are the Supreme God who have incarnated in this world by your Māyā (power). The intelligence of even masters of speech (like god Brahmā and others) has been perplexed in describing the exploits of you who are born from the arms of Vena.

3. We are, however, devoutly interested in the nectarlike stories of Pṛthu, of glorious renown, who is an incarnation of an aṃśa (part) of Hari. We are instructed by sages. We broadcast far and wide the praiseworthy deeds, according to the instructions of the sages.

4. This (king Pṛthu) is the foremost among the upholders of religion. He makes the people act according to Dharma (righteous path). He is the protector of the established institutions of religion and morality. He is the punisher of those who are antagonistic (to religion).

5. (Though) he is one, he bears in his person the bodies (i.e. the powers and functions) of the guardians of the world from time to time, as per needs (of the situation) for the public good, both here and hereafter.

6.^[1] He is impartial to all beings. This mighty monarch collects taxes and tributes at proper times, and releases (the fund) at the opportune time (like famine etc.), just as the bright Sun (evaporates the waters in the summer and returns it as showers of water in the rainy season).

7. The behaviour of the king is like the goddess of the earth. The compassionate son of Vena (i.e. Pṛthu) always bears the faults of the distressed beings, though they may encroach upon him.

8. He is veritable Hari who has assumed the body of the king. When the rain-god withholds showers of rain, he would like Indra, easily protect the subjects whose life was in danger.

9. He pleases the world with his moon-like face—the embodiment of nectar—beaming with charming smiles and brightened with affectionate looks.

10. His ways are inscrutable; his acts are secret and unsurmisable; his intentions are too deep to be comprehended; he strictly guards his wealth; he is the sole, receptacle of infinite greatness and innumerable excellent attributes; like Varuṇa, the Lord of Waters, Pṛthu’s true nature is unfathomable (hidden from the public view).

11. He is (like) the fire born from (the friction of) the araṇi (piece of Śamī wood) in the form of Vena (for he was born after churning Vena’s arm). He is (even mentally) unapproachable to his enemies. His overwhelming power is irresistible by his enemies. Though he be near, he is as if at a great distance (as he is well-guarded by his security force) It is impossible to overpower him.

12. Though he sees the overt and covert activities of human beings through his intelligence service (spies), he behaves as if he is indifferent (to praise or blame). He is thus like the vital air, the Soul that witnesses, as if unconcerned, the inner and outer activities of all.

13. He is so firmly established in the path of dharma (royal duties) that he never punishes anyone if he does not deserve punishment even though he be the son of his personal enemy; and that he would punish his own son, if found guilty (and worth punishing).

14. His unchallenged cakra (sway, march of his army or the path of his chariot) extends from the Mānasottara mountain^[2] to all regions where the Sun-god shines by his rays.

15. He will delight and bring happiness to all people by his acts. It is on account of his acts of promoting happiness (and welfare of the people) that his subjects will call him rājan (lit. one who pleases, i.e. the king).^[3]

16. He is firm in his vows; true to his words; a friend of Brāhmaṇas (who are devoted to the studies of Vedas); a servant of aged people; the shelter of all beings; paying respect (where due) and kind to the afflicted.

17. He shows the same regard and respect to other women as he would to his mother. He treats his wife as if she were half of his own person. He is affectionate to his subjects like a father. He behaves (respectfully) like a servant, to those who are well-versed in the Vedas.

18. He is most beloved to all creatures as if he was their own Self. He enhances the delight of his friends and well-wishers. He is especially attached to the company of those who are free from worldly attachments. He wields his rod of punishment against the evil-minded (miscreants).

18A.^[4] By dint of his great personal power, he will make the good earth produce all the plants (as one milks the cow). He will make this earth flat by the end of his bow.

19. But really he is directly the Supreme Lord himself who has incarnated by his kalā (portion, part)—the Supreme Lord who governs the three worlds; is the unchangeable perpetual inner controller of all beings; even the apparent multiplicity created in whom by nescience is rendered substanceless (and unmeaningful) when he is realized.

20. This matchless warrior, the King of kings, is the sole protector of the sphere of the earth, from the Udaya mountain with a bow in hand, and seated in his triumphant chariot, he will go round the earth from right to left, just as the Sun does.

21. Kings, as well as the guardians to the quarters of the world, will certainly pay tribute to him at every place. Their queens will regard this first king as Lord Viṣṇu (the god whose weapon is cakra—discus), and sing of his glory.

22. This King of kings, the protector of subjects with a view to providing means of livelihood to his subjects, will milk the earth in the form of a cow. Like Indra, he will break down the mountains with the point of his bow, and level the earth as if in a sport.

23. Twanging his irresistible ājagava bow in the battle, when he, like a lion with his tail erected, traverses the earth, the evil-doers will hide themselves in all directions.

24. He will perform a hundred horse-sacrifices (aśvamedha) at the source of the river Sarasvatī. While the last sacrifice will be performed, Indra (the performer of hundred aśvamedha sacrifices) will steal away his sacrificial horse.

25. He will meet the venerable Sanatkumāra alone in the garden of his palace. He will propitiate him (Sanatkumāra) with devotion. He will get from him the pure knowledge which leads one to attain to the Supreme Brahman.

26. Wherever he will go, Pṛthu, of celebrated glory and enormous prowess, will hear various songs and ballads and praise based on his^[5] exploits.

27. His cakra (sway, army, wheels of his chariot) will be unobstructed and unchallenged. After conquering all the quarters of the earth, he will remove the evil-doers of the world by his heroic lustre. He will be the supreme master of the world whose great glories will be sung by the chiefs of gods and demons.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

From this verse onwards the king’s execution of the functions of the eight protectors of the world (lokapālas), is described.

[2]:

Mānasottara.—A hill of Puṣkaraḍvīpa to the east of Meru. Devadhānī, the city of Indra and other cities are there; like the wheel of an oilmill, the wheel of Sūrya’s chariot is said to rotate on the hill as its axis (Purāṇa Index. 2. 686), A.B.L. Awasthi’s identification of this mount with the northern portion of Mānasādri, the neighbouring hill overlooking Mānasa lake (Studies in Skanda Purāṇa, p. 138) is purely conjectural.

[3]:

Cf. yathā prahlādanāccandraḥ pratāpāt tapano yathā /
tathaiva so'bhud anvartho rājā prakṛti-rañjanāt // Raghuvaṃśa. 4.12

[4]:

This verse is included here, being authenticated by Bhāgavata Candrikā, Padaratnāvalī, Siddhāntapradīpa and Bhaktamanorañjanī who have commented on it. It is found in the Southern recension of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa But Bhāvāratha Dīpikā, Dīpinī, Bhāvārtha-dīpikā-prakāśa Anvitārthaprakāśikā. and Bālaprabodhini have ignored it in their comments.

[5]:

ātmāśrīta: pertaining to Viṣṇu (Bhāvāratha Dīpikā).