Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.16.21
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe King Represents the Supreme Protector
“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.”
What the purport teaches
- The original king is Nārāyaṇa, or Lord Viṣṇu. The Supreme Personality of Godhead protects and maintains all living entities.
- The king is His representative and should personally supervise the distribution of wealth for the maintenance of all living entities.
- Pṛthu Mahārāja was an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By ruling as His representative, he carried the Lord’s reputation throughout the world.
Try this today
Share one useful resource today with someone who needs it.
Ask yourself
How can the resources entrusted to me help maintain others?
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.