202 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 4

their own benefit. Maharaja Pariksit was a pious king. He conquered his
enemies, and therefore the kingdom was full of prosperity. There was
enough milk, grains and metals, and all the rivers and mountains were full
of potency. So materially everything was satisfactory. Therefore, there
was no question of untimely giving up his kingdom and life. They were
eager to hear about all this.

TEXT 12

far wea wa way

YT TAVABMIM Fat: |
Sata aAAR Tet

gare fafta ga: ReTTT URI

Sivaya lokasya bhavaya bhiitaye
ya uttama-sloka-parayana janah
Jwanti natmartham asau parasrayam
mumoca nirvidya kutah kalevaram

Sivaya—welfare; lokasya—of all living beings; bhavaya—for flourishing;
bhittaye—for economic development; ye—one who is; uttama-sloka-
parayanah—devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead; janah—
men; jivanti—do live; na—but not; atma-artham—selfish interest; asau—that;
parasrayam—shelter for others; mumoca— gave up; nirvidya—being freed
from all attachment; kutah—for what reason; kalevaram—mortal body.

TRANSLATION

Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live
only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not
live for any selfish interest. So even though the Emperor [Pariksit ] was
free from all attachment to worldly possessions, how could he give up his
mortal body, which was shelter for others?

PURPORT

Pariksit Maharaja was an ideal king and householder because he was a
devotee of the Personality of Godhead. A devotee of the Lord has
automatically all good qualifications. And the Emperor was a typical
