Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.11
Ūti· What drives us to actPṛthu Was Not an Ordinary King
“The great saintly sage Maitreya told Vidura: My dear Vidura, King Pṛthu lived in the tract of land between the two great rivers Ganges and Yamunā. Because he was very opulent, it appeared that he was enjoying his destined fortune in order to diminish the results of his past pious activities.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Pṛthu was a directly empowered incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu and a great devotee. His enjoyment only appeared to result from past pious deeds.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead nullifies the results of devotees’ past pious and impious activities. Pṛthu was therefore not subject to these reactions.
- The Lord, His incarnations and His devotees should not be considered ordinary people. Recognition must rest on authorized śāstras and ācāryas, as when Sanātana Gosvāmī recognized Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Reread the purport’s explanation of Pṛthu’s freedom from past reactions, and write one sentence about the Supreme Lord’s protection of His devotees.
Ask yourself
How can scriptural guidance help me avoid judging spiritual personalities by outward appearances?
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.