Text 33] Maharaja Prthu’s Going Back Home 1017

who is born in a brahminical family, the ksatriya who is born in a ksatriya
family, the vaisya who is born in a vaisya family and the Sidra in a Sudra
family. But whether one is a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or siidra, he can
attain perfection simply by hearing and chanting.

To take birth in a family of brahmanas is not the ultimate finishing
touch; one must have the power of a brahmana, which is called brahma-
tejas. Similarly, taking birth in a royal family is not the all in all; one must
possess the power to rule the world. Similarly, taking birth as a vaisya is
not all; one must possess hundreds or thousands of animals (specifically
cows) and rule over other vaisyas as Nanda Maharaja did in Vrndavana.
Nanda Maharaja was a vaisya who possessed 900,000 cows and ruled over
many cowherd men and boys. A person who is born in a stidra family can
become greater than a brahmana simply by accepting devotional service
and giving aural reception to the pastimes of the Lord and His devotees.

TEXT 33

fi: Sa MEY ad awassea |
Ist: Aaaaat «raat vara: 112311

trih krtva idam akarnya
naro nary athavadrta

aprajah su-prajatamo
nirdhano dhanavattamah

trih—thrice; krtvah—repeating; idam—this; akarnya—hearing; narah—
man; nari—woman; athava—or; adrta—in great respect; aprajah—one who
has no children; su-prajatamah—surrounded by many children; nirdhanah—
without any money; dhanavat—rich; tamah—the greatest.

TRANSLATION

It doesn’t matter whether one is a man or woman. Anyone who, with
great respect, hears this narration of Maharaja Prthu, will become the
father of many children if he is without children, and will become the
richest of men if he is without money.

PURPORT

Materialistic persons who are very fond of money and great families
worship different demigods to attain their desires, especially Goddess
Durga, Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. Such materialistic persons are called
