Text 3] Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras 889
sadasya—associates or followers; anugah—officers; vainyah—King Prthu;
indriya-isah—a living entity; gunan iva—as influenced by the modes of
material nature.
TRANSLATION

Seeing the four Kumaras, Prthu Maharaja was greatly anxious to receive
them. Therefore the King, with all his officers, very hastily got up so
anxiously that he is compared herewith to a conditioned soul whose
senses are immediately attracted by the modes of material nature.

PURPORT
In Bhagavad-gita it is said:
prakrteh kriyamanani gunath karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate.
(Bg. 3.27)

Every conditioned soul is influenced by a particular mixture of the modes
of material nature. As such, the conditioned soul is attracted to certain
types of activity which he is forced to perform because he is completely
under the influence of material nature. Here Prthu Maharaja is compared
to such a conditioned soul, not because he was a conditioned soul but
because he was so anxious to receive the Kumaras that it was as if without
them he would have lost his life. The conditioned soul is attracted by
the objects of sense gratification. His eyes are attracted to see beautiful
things, his ears are attracted to hear nice music, his nose is attracted to
enjoy the aroma of a nice flower, and his tongue is attracted to taste nice
food. Similarly, all his other senses—his hands, his legs, his belly, his
genitals, his mind, etc.—are so susceptible to the attraction of the objects
of enjoyment that he cannot restrain himself. Prthu Maharaja, in the
same way, could not restrain himself from receiving the four Kumaras,
who were bright by dint of their spiritual progress, and thus not only he
himself but also his officers and associates all received the four Kumaras.
It is said, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In this world, everyone is
attracted by a person of the same category. A drunkard is attracted to
persons who are also drunkards. Similarly, a saintly person is attracted by
other saintly persons. Prthu Maharaja was in the topmost position of
spiritual advancement, and as such, he was attracted by the Kumaras, who
were of the same category. It is said, therefore, that a man is known by
his company.
