Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.23.36
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesChanting Pṛthu Mahārāja’s History Supports Kings
“If a king, who is desirous of attaining victory and ruling power, chants the narration of Pṛthu Mahārāja three times before going forth on his chariot, all subordinate kings will automatically render all kinds of taxes unto him — as they rendered them unto Mahārāja Pṛthu — simply upon his order.”
What the purport teaches
- A kṣatriya king naturally desires to rule the world and make other kings subordinate to him. Pṛthu Mahārāja was the only emperor on this planet during his rule.
- Subordinate kings sometimes rebelled, making it necessary for the emperor to chastise them.
- A king seeking victory is instructed to chant Pṛthu Mahārāja’s narration three times before setting out on his chariot. The verse promises that subordinate kings will then offer taxes upon his order.
Try this today
Read aloud this verse’s instruction about chanting Pṛthu Mahārāja’s narration, noting whom it addresses.
Ask yourself
What does this instruction show you about the importance given to chanting Pṛthu Mahārāja’s history?
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.