Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.17.9
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionLeadership Must Protect and Provide
“The great sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, at the time King Pṛthu was enthroned by the great sages and brāhmaṇas and declared to be the protector of the citizens, there was a scarcity of food grains. The citizens actually became skinny due to starvation. Therefore they came before the King and informed him of their real situation.”
What the purport teaches
- The brāhmaṇas selected qualified rulers and guided royal power. They enthroned King Pṛthu as protector of the citizens.
- The purport describes varṇāśrama-dharma as God-made: brāhmaṇas guide, kṣatriyas protect, vaiśyas protect cows and produce and distribute food grains, and śūdras assist through manual labor.
- When scarcity left the citizens thin from starvation, they approached Pṛthu. They informed their protector that action was needed.
Try this today
Ask someone under your care whether they have a practical need that requires attention.
Ask yourself
How does this account connect authority with responsibility for people’s basic needs?
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.