Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.13.19-20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesResponsible Rule Protects Citizens
“My dear Vidura, when great sages curse, their words are as invincible as a thunderbolt. Thus when they cursed King Vena out of anger, he died. After his death, since there was no king, all the rogues and thieves flourished, the kingdom became unregulated, and all the citizens suffered greatly. On seeing this, the great sages took the right hand of Vena as a churning rod, and as a result of their churning, Lord Viṣṇu in His partial representation made His advent as King Pṛthu, the original emperor of the world.”
What the purport teaches
- The great sages’ curse was as invincible as a thunderbolt, and Vena died. Without a king, rogues and thieves flourished, and the citizens suffered greatly.
- The purport favors strong monarchy because it can uphold regulative principles effectively. It contrasts this with incapable government, under which thieves, rogues and cheaters become prominent.
- Seeing the citizens’ suffering, the sages churned Vena’s right hand. Lord Viṣṇu appeared in His partial representation as King Pṛthu, the original emperor of the world.
Try this today
Respect another person’s property today by carefully returning something you have borrowed.
Ask yourself
How does this account connect responsible leadership with the well-being of ordinary people?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.