Text 23] The Activities of Maharaja Priyavrata 45

although; mdna-vardhanah—just to give honor; mahatam—to
superiors; mahitalam—the material world; anuSasdsa —ruled.

TRANSLATION

Following the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Maharaja Priyavrata fully engaged in worldly affairs, yet he always
thought of the lotus feet of the Lord, which are the cause of libera-
tion from all material attachment. Although Priyavrata Maharaja
was completely freed from all material contamination, he ruled the
material world just to honor the orders of his superiors.

PURPORT

The words mdna-vardhano mahatam (““just to show honor to
superiors”) are very significant. Although Maharaja Priyavrata was
already a liberated person and had no attraction for material things, he
engaged himself fully in governmental affairs just to show respect to
Lord Brahma. Arjuna had also acted in the same way. Arjuna had no
desire to participate in political affairs or the fighting at Kuruksetra, but
when ordered to do so by the Supreme Lord, Krsna, he executed those
duties very nicely. One who always thinks of the lotus feet of the Lord is
certainly above all the contamination of the material world. As stated in

Bhagavad-gita:

yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatendntardtmana

Sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah

“Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping
Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in
yoga and is the highest of all.” (Bg. 6.47) Maharaja Priyavrata.
therefore, was a liberated person and was among the highest of yogis, yet
superficially he became the emperor of the universe in accordance with
the order of Lord Brahma. Showing respect to his superior in this way
was another of his extraordinary qualifications. As stated in Srimad-
Bhagavatam (6.17.28):
