Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.16.27
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionGood Government Uproots the Citizens’ Miseries
“No one will be able to disobey the orders of Pṛthu Mahārāja. 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.”
What the purport teaches
- Pṛthu Mahārāja ruled the world through subordinate states. When maintenance of the varṇāśrama system became deficient, the emperor would take charge.
- He completely uprooted the citizens’ miseries, described as piercing thorns. Peace, prosperity, and freedom from anxiety are the standard of good government.
- Both the suras and the asuras will glorify his magnanimous activities. Aspiration to rule should rest on the ability to remove citizens’ threefold miseries, not on political or diplomatic considerations.
Try this today
Ask someone under your care about one difficulty they face, and take a small step to help relieve it.
Ask yourself
Do I use my influence to relieve others’ difficulties or to increase my own importance?
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.