Text 13] Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras 899

and although you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keep-
ing yourselves just like small children.

PURPORT

The specific importance of the Kumaras is that they were brahmacaris
living the life of celibacy from birth. They kept themselves as small
children about four or five years old because by growing into youth one’s
senses sometimes become disturbed and celibacy becomes difficult. The
Kumaras therefore purposefully remained children because in a child’s
life the senses are never disturbed by sex. This is the significance of the
life of the Kumaras, and as such Maharaja Prthu addressed them as the
best of the brahmanas. The Kumaras were not only born of the best
brahmana “\.ord Brahma), but they are addressed herein as dvija-sresthah
(the best or the brahmanas) on account of their being Vaisnavas also. As
we have already explained, they have their sampradaya (disciplic succes-
sion), and even to date the sampradaya is being maintained and is known as
the Nimbarka-sampradaya. Out of the four sampradayas of the Vaisnava
acaryas, the Nimbarka-sampradaya is one. Maharaja Prthu specifically
appreciated the position of the Kumaras because they maintained the
brahmacarya vow from the very beginning of their birth. Maharaja Prthu,
however, expressed his great appreciation of Vaisnavism by addressing the
Kumiras as Vaisnava-srestha. In other words, everyone should offer respect
to a Vaisnava without considering his source of birth. Vaisnave jati-
buddhih. No one should consider a Vaisnava in terms of birth. The
Vaisnava is always the best of the brahmanas, and as such one should offer
all respects to a Vaisnava, not only as a brahmana but as the best of the
brahmanas.

TEXT 13

efi: gael aren efexaraidaheany |
nih. eb pas§ TET

kaccin nah kusalam natha
indriyarthartha-vedinam
vyasanavapa etasmin
patitanam sva-karmabhih
kaccit—whether; nah—our; kusalam—good fortune; nathah—O masters;
indriya-artha—sense gratification as the ultimate goal of life; artha-vedi-
nam—persons who understand only sense gratification; vyasana—illness;
