Text 12] Maharaja Prthu Becomes Angry at the Earth 675
TRANSLATION
Dear King, just as a tree with a fire burning in the hollow of the trunk
gradually dries up, we are drying up due to the fire of hunger in our
stomach. You are the protector of surrendered souls, and you have been
appointed to give employment to us. Therefore we have all come to you
for protection. You are not only a king, but the incarnation of God as
well. Indeed, you are the King of all kings. You can give us all kinds of
occupational engagements, for you are the master of our livelihood. There-
fore, O King of all kings, please arrange to satisfy our hunger by the
proper distribution of food grains. Please take care of us, lest we soon die
for want of food.
PURPORT
It is the duty of the king to see that everyone in the social orders—
brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaigsyas and stidras—is fully employed in the state.
Just as it is the duty of the brahmanas to elect a proper king, it is the duty
of the king to see that all the varnas—the brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas
and siidras—are fully engaged in their respective occupational duties. It is
here indicated that although the people were allowed to perform their
duties, they were still unemployed. Although they were not lazy, they
still could not produce sufficient food to satisfy their hunger. When the
people are perplexed in this way, they should approach the head of
government, and the president or king should take immediate action to
mitigate the distress of the people.
TEXT 12
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Ty: Talat Heat Praey aAAATAy |
ben e
att coat Fea fabs asertaa 1122
maitreya uvaca
prthuh prajanam karunarh
nigamya paridevitam
dirgharn dadhyau kurusrestha
nimittam so ‘nvapadyata
maitreyah uvdca—the great saint Maitreya said; prthuh—King Prthu;
prajanam—of the citizens; karunam—pitiable condition; nisamya—hearing;
