Text 8] The Harnsa-guhya Prayers 197

PURPORT

It is indicated herein that the government or king has the duty of pro-
tecting not only the human beings, but all other living entities, including
animals, trees and plants. No living entity should be killed unnecessarily.

TEXT 8
MEE SIKICKICC CIC Mm CCco CT
qari aaatstat fa ll

aho prajapati-patir
bhagavan harir avyayah

vanaspatin osadhis ca
sasarjorjam isam vibhuh

aho—alas; prajdpati-patih—the Lord of all the lords of created
beings; bhagavan harih—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari;
avyayah—indestructible; vanaspatin—the trees and plants; osadhih—
the herbs; ca—and; sasarja—created; iram—invigorating; isam—
food; vibhuh—the Supreme Being.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Hari, is the master of
all living entities, including all the prajapatis, such as Lord
Brahma. Because He is the all-pervading and indestructible
master, He has created all these trees and vegetables as eatables for
other living entities.

PURPORT

Soma, the predominating deity of the moon, reminded the Pracetas
that this vegetation had been created by the Lord of lords to provide food
for everyone. If the Pracetas tried to kill them off, their own subjects
would also suffer, for trees are also required for food.
