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Chapter 15: Chapter 15: King Prthu’s King Prthu’s

Appearance and Appearance and CoronationCoronation

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Verses 15.1-13Verses 15.1-13 The sages continued to churn Vena’s body, producing a The sages continued to churn Vena’s body, producing a

male and female from the arms. The two were King male and female from the arms. The two were King Påthu and Arci, expansions of Viñëu, and the goddess of Påthu and Arci, expansions of Viñëu, and the goddess of fortune.The brähmaëas highly praised King Påthu, and fortune.The brähmaëas highly praised King Påthu, and Gandharvaloka chanted his glories. The inhabitants of Gandharvaloka chanted his glories. The inhabitants of Siddhaloka showered flowers, and the beautiful women Siddhaloka showered flowers, and the beautiful women in the heavenly planets danced. Conchshells, bugles, in the heavenly planets danced. Conchshells, bugles, drums and kettledrums vibrated in outer space. Lord drums and kettledrums vibrated in outer space. Lord Brahmä arrived there accompanied by all the demigods. Brahmä arrived there accompanied by all the demigods. Seeing the lines of Lord Viñëu's palm, such as a disc, on Seeing the lines of Lord Viñëu's palm, such as a disc, on King Påthu’s right hand and impressions of lotus flowers King Påthu’s right hand and impressions of lotus flowers on his feet, Lord Brahmä could understand that King on his feet, Lord Brahmä could understand that King Påthu was a partial representation of the Lord. The Påthu was a partial representation of the Lord. The great King Påthu was coronated and placed on the great King Påthu was coronated and placed on the throne. The King and his wife, Arci, also exquisitely throne. The King and his wife, Arci, also exquisitely ornamented, appeared like fire.ornamented, appeared like fire.

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Verses 15.14-26Verses 15.14-26 All the demigods presented various gifts to King Påthu. All the demigods presented various gifts to King Påthu.

The great sages also offered him infallible blessings. The great sages also offered him infallible blessings. The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room to drive The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room to drive his chariot without impediments, and a süta, a his chariot without impediments, and a süta, a mägadha and a vandé came before him to offer praises. mägadha and a vandé came before him to offer praises.

King Påthu smiled and then spoke with gravity, King Påthu smiled and then spoke with gravity, objecting to the prayers offered to him because he had objecting to the prayers offered to him because he had not yet performed the activities for which he was not yet performed the activities for which he was glorified. He felt the prayers were more appropriately glorified. He felt the prayers were more appropriately addressed to the Supreme Lord. He pointed out that addressed to the Supreme Lord. He pointed out that only a fool would allow someone to praise him for only a fool would allow someone to praise him for qualities he did not have and that a powerful and qualities he did not have and that a powerful and famous person does not like to hear himself praised.famous person does not like to hear himself praised.

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Påthu Mahäräja’s Påthu Mahäräja’s unwillingness to accept unwillingness to accept

praise (15.22-24)praise (15.22-24) ““The prayers and praises by the The prayers and praises by the sūta, māgadha and , māgadha and

vandī all explained the godly qualities of Mahārāja vandī all explained the godly qualities of Mahārāja Prthu, for he was a Prthu, for he was a śaktyāveśaśaktyāveśa incarnation of the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (22)Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (22)

Thus, while the praises were appropriate, Påthu Mahäräja expressed unwillingness to accept because imposters should take lessons from his behavior (22, 24); qualities of the Supreme Lord were not yet manifest in him

even though they might manifest in the future (23); and such praise is actually an insult (23)

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Chapter 16: Chapter 16: King Prthu King Prthu

Praised by the Praised by the Professional Professional

RecitersReciters66

Verses 16.1-27Verses 16.1-27 Pleased by King Påthu’s humble words, the

reciters continued to offer prayers, as advised by the sages, praising him as a direct incarnation of Lord Viñëu. Because the reciters had a transcendental taste for glorifying His activities, they did so, although they felt their words were always inadequate. When the chivalrous activities of King Påthu come to be well known, the King will hear about himself and his powerful activities. No one will disobey Påthu Mahäräja. Conquering the world, he will eradicate the threefold miseries of the citizens and become world famous. Then both the suras and the asuras will glorify his magnanimous activities. 77

Two principles essential to Two principles essential to proper glorification of the proper glorification of the

Lord through prayers (16.2-Lord through prayers (16.2-3)3)

Although we are not adequately qualified to glorify the Lord, nonetheless we should make an effort to purify ourselves according to our own ability based on guru, sāādhu and śāśāstra.

Such an attempt, especially through devotional service, will please the Lord, who may provide us with necessary intelligence.

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Prahlād Mahārāja’s instructions Prahlād Mahārāja’s instructions (7.9.7-12)(7.9.7-12)

Prahlāda Mahārāja fixed his mind and sight upon Lord Nrsimhadeva with full attention in complete trance. With a fixed mind, he began to offer prayers in love with a faltering voice. How is it possible for me, who have been born in a family of asuras, to offer suitable prayers to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Even until now, all the demigods, headed by Lord Brahmā, and all the saintly persons, could not satisfy the Lord by streams of excellent words, although such persons are very qualified, being in the mode of goodness. Then what is to be said of me? I am not at all qualified. One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Contd) 99

Prahlād Mahārāja’s Prahlād Mahārāja’s instructions (Contd)instructions (Contd)

However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him. If a brāhmana has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater but who has dedicated everything — mind, words, activities, wealth and life — to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a brāhmana because the devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called brāhmana in a position of false prestige cannot purify even himself. (Contd)

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Prahlād Mahārāja’s Prahlād Mahārāja’s instructions (7.9.7-12; instructions (7.9.7-12;

Contd)Contd) The Supreme Lord, the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, is always fully satisfied in Himself. Therefore when something is offered to Him, the offering, by the Lord's mercy, is for the benefit of the devotee, for the Lord does not need service from anyone. To give an example, if one's face is decorated, the reflection of one's face in a mirror is also seen to be decorated. Therefore, although I was born in a demoniac family, I may without a doubt offer prayers to the Lord with full endeavor, as far as my intelligence allows. Anyone who has been forced by ignorance to enter the material world may be purified of material life if he offers prayers to the Lord and hears the Lord's glories.

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Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Mahäräja Prthu Mahäräja Prthu Becomes Angry Becomes Angry

at the Earthat the Earth

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Vidura’s questions of Maitreya Vidura’s questions of Maitreya Muni about Prthu Mahäräja Muni about Prthu Mahäräja

(17.1-7)(17.1-7)1. Why did the earth take the shape of a cow?2. When Mahäräja Prthu milked her, who became

the earth’s calf? What was used as the milking pot?

3. How did Mahäräja Prthu level the surface of the earth?

4. Why did Indra, king of heaven, steal the horse meant for Prthu Mahäräja’s 100th horse sacrifice?

5. After receiving instructions from Sanat Kumära, the greatest Vedic scholar, how did Mahäräja Prthu apply that knowledge and attain his desired destination?

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The earth in the form of a cow The earth in the form of a cow fearfully surrenders to Prthu fearfully surrenders to Prthu

Mahäräja (17.8-17)Mahäräja (17.8-17) Maitreya explained to Vidura how when Påthu

was enthroned there was a scarcity of grains. The citizens, being skinny due to hunger, approached the King and informed him that necessary action should be taken. The King contemplated this matter for a long time to find out the underlying causes, then he took up his bow and arrow and aimed them at the earth. Seeing this, she trembled in fear and began to flee, taking the shape of a cow. Mahäräja Påthu became very angry and chased the cow-shaped earth, all over the universe.

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What is the duty of a king What is the duty of a king described in 17.10-11 and described in 17.10-11 and why is performance of this why is performance of this

duty so essential?duty so essential? To see that all the four varnas are fully

engaged in their respective occupational duties—provide employments—so as to satisfy their hunger for food, which is their fundamental requirement or need.

Thus the king and his administration should mitigate the distress of the people.

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The earth in the form of a cow The earth in the form of a cow pleads with Mahäräja Prthu, pleads with Mahäräja Prthu,

who responds (17.18-36)who responds (17.18-36) The cow-shaped earth reminded Påthu that his

citizens are dependent on her, so killing her would not be in his interest. King Påthu told the earth that in the form of a demigod she accepted her share of the yajïas, but has not produced sufficient food in return. For this reason she is offensive and he must kill her. She also withheld the seeds, herbs and grains within herself. After hearing him, the planet earth began to tremble and surrendered, offering prayers with folded hands, glorifying Påthu as the Supreme Lord. She recalls how once, as Varäha, He rescued her from the waters in the bottom of the universe. Yet now, He is about to kill her. The earth expresses bewilderment at this.

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Head of the government is Head of the government is responsible for production of responsible for production of

food (17.24-25; PrA)food (17.24-25; PrA) Whenever there is an acute shortage of food, it

is the responsibility of the government head to find its cause and cure to restore adequate supply of food grains to the people.

Only in a rare circumstance when there is no supply of grains, the government may sanction the eating of meat.

This explains why performance of Vedic sacrifices, practice of varnāśāśrama-dharma and propagation of Krsna consciousness among the people is essential for adequate food grain production.

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Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Påthu Mahäräja Påthu Mahäräja Milks the Earth Milks the Earth

PlanetPlanet

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The earth continues her The earth continues her attempts to pacify Prthu attempts to pacify Prthu

Mahäräja (18.1-12)Mahäräja (18.1-12) The cow-shaped earth explained that she had The cow-shaped earth explained that she had

hidden the seeds, roots, herbs and grains, hidden the seeds, roots, herbs and grains, meant for the performance of sacrifice, meant for the performance of sacrifice, because they are being used by nondevotees. because they are being used by nondevotees. Due to being stocked for a long time, the grain Due to being stocked for a long time, the grain seeds have deteriorated. She requested seeds have deteriorated. She requested Mahäräja Påthu to make the entire surface of Mahäräja Påthu to make the entire surface of the globe level so that rainfall will remain on the globe level so that rainfall will remain on the surface of the globe, always keeping the the surface of the globe, always keeping the earth moistened. Also she requested a earth moistened. Also she requested a suitable calf to milk her.suitable calf to milk her.

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Food production is checked Food production is checked by the earth when it is by the earth when it is

misused by nondevotees misused by nondevotees (18.6-8; PrA)(18.6-8; PrA) All necessities grown on earth were created for

use in sacrifice for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu. The asat, or nondevotees misuse these necessities for sense gratification without any inclination for spiritual understanding, or for the pleasure of the Lord.

The irresponsible kings or administrations fail in their duty to punish nondevotees.

As a result, there is food scarcity and famine in accordance with the laws of material nature.

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The earth satisfies the The earth satisfies the desires of all (18.13-32)desires of all (18.13-32)

King Påthu then transformed Sväyambhuva Manu into a calf and milked all the herbs and grains from the earth keeping them in his cupped hands. The sages transformed Båhaspati into a calf and milked all kinds of Vedic knowledge from her. The demigods made Indra into a calf, and they milked the beverage soma. The demons transformed Prahläda Mahäräja into a calf, and they extracted various kinds of liquor and beer. Other celestial beings milked various items from the earth and mystic powers, and kept them in suitable receptacles. The snakes, scorpions took poison out of the planet earth. (Contd)

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The earth satisfies the The earth satisfies the desires of all (18.13-32; desires of all (18.13-32;

Contd)Contd) In this way, all who subsist on food

created different types of calves and milked out their respective eatables. Thereafter King Påthu, very satisfied, developed affection for the planet earth just as if she were his own daughter. After this, Mahäräja Påthu, leveled the surface of the globe by breaking up the hills with his bow, and thus suitable for cultivation.

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Discussion PointsDiscussion Points

Personal Application (PeA)Personal Application (PeA) Påthu Mahäräja’s unwillingness to Påthu Mahäräja’s unwillingness to

accept praise (15.22-24)accept praise (15.22-24)

Preaching Application (PrA)Preaching Application (PrA) Head of the government is responsible

for production of food (17.24-25) Food production is checked by the earth

when it is misused by nondevotees (18.6-8)