Text 19] Prthu Maharaja’s Meeting with the Four Kumaras 907
sanat-kumara uvdca
sadhu prstarn maharaja
sarvabhuta-hitatmana
bhavata vidusa capi
sadhunam matir idrst
sanat-kumarah uvaca—Sanatkumara said; sadhu—saintly; prstam—ques-
tion; maharaja—my dear King; sarva-bhuta—all living entities; hita-atmana—
by one who desires good for all; bhavata—by you; vidusa—well learned;
ca—and; api—although; sadhunam—of the saintly persons; matih—intelli-
gence; idrst—like this.
TRANSLATION
Sanat-kumira said: My dear King Prthu, | am very nicely questioned by
you, and such questions are beneficial for all living entities, especially
because they are raised by you, who are always thinking of the good of
others. Although you know everything, still you ask such questions
because that is the behavior of saintly persons. Such intelligence is befit-
ting your position.
PURPORT
Maharaja Prthu was well conversant in transcendental science, yet he
presented himself before the Kumaras as one ignorant of it. The idea is
that even if a person is very exalted and knows e erything, before his
superior he should present questions. For instance, although Arjuna knew
all the transcendental science, he questioned Krsna as if he did not know.
Similarly, Prthu Maharaja knew everything, but he presented himself
before the Kumaras as if he did not know anything. The idea is that ques-
tions by exalted persons put before the Supreme Personality of Godhead
or His devotees are meant for the benefit of the general people. Therefore
sometimes great personalities put themselves in that position and inquire
from higher authority because they are always thinking of the benefit of
others.
TEXT 19
UR As anaes az aeNd: |
TATA: TIT TT WT NLS
sangamah khalu sadhunam
ubhayesam ca sammatah
