958
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 4, Ch. 22]
behind them there is profound significance—the satisfaction of the Lord. In order to understand the activities of a Vaiṣṇava, one has to become very expert. Mahārāja Pṛthu did not allow himself to function outside the institution of four  varṇas  and four  āśramas , although as a Vaiṣṇava he was a  paramahaṁsa , transcendental to all material activities. He remained at his position as a  kṣatriya  to rule the world and at the same time remained transcendental to such activities by satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Concealing himself as a pure devotee, he externally manifested himself as a very powerful and dutiful king. In other words, none of his activities were carried out for his own sense gratification; everything he did was meant for the satisfaction of the senses of the Lord. This is clearly explained in the next verse.
TEXT 51
फलं ब्रह्मणि संन्यस्य निर्विषङ्गः समाहितः । कर्माध्यक्षं च मन्वान आत्मानं प्रकृतेः परम् ॥५१॥
phalam brahmaṇi sannyasya nirviṣaṅgaḥ samāhitaḥ karmādhyakṣam ca manvāna ātmānam prakṛteḥ param
phalam—result; brahmaṇi—in the Absolute Truth; sannyasya—giving up; nirviṣaṅgaḥ—without being contaminated; samāhitaḥ—completely dedicated; karma—activity; adhyakṣam—superintendent; ca—and; manvānaḥ—always thinking of; ātmānam—the Supersoul; prakṛteḥ—of material nature; param—transcendental.
TRANSLATION
Mahārāja Pṛthu completely dedicated himself to be an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental to material nature. Consequently all the fruits of his activities were dedicated to the Lord, and he always thought of himself as the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the proprietor of everything.
PURPORT
The life and dedication of Mahārāja Pṛthu in the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead serve as a good example of  karma-yoga . The term  karma-yoga  is often used in  Bhagavad-gītā , and herein Mahārāja Pṛthu is giving a practical example of what  karma-yoga