Text 8]
The Hansa-guhya Prayers
197
PURPORT
It is indicated herein that the government or king has the duty of protecting not only the human beings, but all other living entities, including animals, trees and plants. No living entity should be killed unnecessarily.
TEXT 8
अहो प्रजापतिपतिर्भगवान् हरिरव्ययः । 
    चनस्पतीनोषधीश्च ससर्जोर्जमिषं विभुः ॥ ८ ॥
aho prajāpati-patir 
    bhagavān harir avyayah 
    vanaspatīn oṣadhīś ca 
    sasarjorjam iṣaṁ vibhuḥ
aho—alas; prajāpati-patiḥ—the Lord of all the lords of created beings; bhagavān hariḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari; avyayah—indestructible; vanaspatīn—the trees and plants; oṣadhīḥ—the herbs; ca—and; sasarja—created; ūrjam—invigorating; iṣam—food; vibhuḥ—the Supreme Being.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Hari, is the master of all living entities, including all the prajāpatis, such as Lord Brahmā. Because He is the all-pervading and indestructible master, He has created all these trees and vegetables as eatables for other living entities.
PURPORT
Soma, the predominating deity of the moon, reminded the Pracetās that this vegetation had been created by the Lord of lords to provide food for everyone. If the Pracetās tried to kill them off, their own subjects would also suffer, for trees are also required for food.