958 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 22
behind them there is profound significance—the satisfaction of the Lord.
In order to understand the activities of a Vaisnava, one has to become very
expert. Maharaja Prthu did not allow himself to function outside the insti-
tution of four varnas and four asramas, although as a Vaisnava he was a
paramahamsa, transcendental to all material activities. He remained at his
position as a ksatriya to rule the world and at the same time remained
transcendental to such activities by satisfying the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Concealing himself as a pure devotee, he externally manifested
himself as a very powerful and dutiful king. In other words, none of his
activities were carried out for his own sense gratification; everything he
did was meant for the satisfaction of the senses of the Lord. This is clearly
explained in the next verse.
TEXT 51
Be TE Hare fifi: area: |
watered F AIT MAL THA TT U4 LI
phalam brahmani sannyasya
nirvisangah samahitah
karmadhyaksam ca manvana
atmanam prakrteh param
phalam—result; brahmani—in the Absolute Truth; sannyasya—giving up;
nirvisangah—without being contaminated; samahitah—completely dedi-
cated; karma—activity; adhyaksam—superintendent; ca—and; manvanah ~
always thinking of ;atmanam—the Supersoul; prakrteh—of material nature;
param—transcendental.
TRANSLATION
Maharaja Prthu completely dedicated himself to be an eternal servant
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, transcendental to material nature.
Consequently all the fruits of his activities were dedicated to the Lord,
and he always thought of himself as the servant of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, who is the proprietor of everything.
PURPORT
The life and dedication of Maharaja Prthu in the transcendental loving
service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead serve as a good example of
karma-yoga. The term karma-yoga is often used in Bhagavad-gita, and
herein Maharaja Prthu is giving a practical example of what karma-yoga
