956 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 22
TRANSLATION

Amongst great personalities, Maharaja Prthu was the chief by virtue
of his fixed position in relation to spiritual enlightenment. He remained
satisfied as one who has achieved all success in spiritual understanding.

PURPORT

Remaining fixed in devotional service gives one the utmost in self-
satisfaction. Actually self-satisfaction can be achieved only by pure devotees
who have no desire other than to serve the Supreme Personality of God-
head. Since the Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing to desire, He
is fully satisfied with Himself. Similarly, a devotee who has no desire other
than to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead is as self-satisfied as the
Supreme Lord. Everyone is hankering after peace of mind and self-
satisfaction, but these can only be achieved by becoming a pure devotee of
the Lord.

King Prthu’s statements in previous verses regarding his vast knowledge
and perfect devotional service are justified here, for he is considered best
amongst all mahatmas. In Bhagavad-gita Sri Krsna speaks of mahatmas in
this way:

mahatmanas tu mam partha
daivim prakrtim asritah
bhajanty ananya-manaso
jnatva bhutadim avyayam
“O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the
protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional ser-
vice because they know Meas the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original
and inexhaustible.” (Bg. 9.13)

The mahatmas are not under the clutches of the illusory energy but
are under the protection of the spiritual energy. Because of this, the real
mahatma is always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Prthu
Maharaja exhibited all the symptoms of a mahatma; therefore he is men-
tioned in this verse as dhuryo mahatam, best of the mahatmas.

TEXT 50
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