King Prithu's Appearance and Coronation

Verse 1 (bhagavata.4.15.1)

मैत्रेय उवाच अथ तस्य पुनर्विप्रैरपुत्रस्य महीपतेः । बाहुभ्यां मथ्यमानाभ्यां मिथुनं समपद्यत ॥ 15.1 ॥

maitreya uvāca atha tasya punar viprair aputrasya mahīpateḥ bāhubhyāṁ mathyamānābhyāṁ mithunaṁ samapadyata

Maitreya continued: Then, the brahmanas churning once more the two arms of that same childless king, from them arose a twin pair, male and female.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.4.15.2)

तद् दृष्ट्वा मिथुनं जातमृषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः । ऊचुः परमसन्तुष्टा विदित्वा भगवत्कलाम् ॥ 15.2 ॥

tad dṛṣṭvā mithunaṁ jātam ṛṣayo brahma-vādinaḥ ūcuḥ parama-santuṣṭā viditvā bhagavat-kalām

Seeing this twin pair born, the sages, versed in the Veda, recognizing within them a portion of Bhagavan, rejoiced greatly.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.4.15.3)

ऋषय ऊचुः एष विष्णोर्भगवतः कला भुवनपालिनी । इयं च लक्ष्म्याः सम्भूतिः पुरुषस्यानपायिनी ॥ 15.3 ॥

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ eṣa viṣṇor bhagavataḥ kalā bhuvana-pālinī iyaṁ ca lakṣmyāḥ sambhūtiḥ puruṣasyānapāyinī

The sages said: This is that portion of Bhagavan Vishnu which sustains the worlds, and this is the manifestation of Lakshmi herself, ever inseparable from the Person.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.4.15.4)

अयं तु प्रथमो राज्ञां पुमान् प्रथयिता यशः । पृथुर्नाम महाराजो भविष्यति पृथुश्रवाः ॥ 15.4 ॥

ayaṁ tu prathamo rājñāṁ pumān prathayitā yaśaḥ pṛthur nāma mahārājo bhaviṣyati pṛthu-śravāḥ

This male shall be the first among kings, one who will spread his own fame far and wide — his name shall be Prithu, the great king of far-reaching renown.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.4.15.5)

इयं च सुदती देवी गुणभूषणभूषणा । अर्चिर्नाम वरारोहा पृथुमेवावरुन्धती ॥ 15.5 ॥

iyaṁ ca sudatī devī guṇa-bhūṣaṇa-bhūṣaṇā arcir nāma varārohā pṛthum evāvarundhatī

And this fair-toothed goddess, herself the ornament of every ornament she wears, of lovely form, shall be named Archi, and shall become none but Prithu's own consort.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.4.15.6)

एष साक्षाद्धरेरंशो जातो लोकरिरक्षया । इयं च तत्परा हि श्रीरनुजज्ञेऽनपायिनी ॥ 15.6 ॥

eṣa sākṣād dharer aṁśo jāto loka-rirakṣayā iyaṁ ca tat-parā hi śrīr anujajñe ’napāyinī

This one is a direct portion of Hari, born for the protection of the world, and she, ever inseparable from Him, is Shri herself, who has consented to accompany him.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.4.15.7)

मैत्रेय उवाच प्रशंसन्ति स्म तं विप्रा गन्धर्वप्रवरा जगुः । मुमुचुः सुमनोधाराः सिद्धा नृत्यन्ति स्वःस्त्रियः ॥ 15.7 ॥

maitreya uvāca praśaṁsanti sma taṁ viprā gandharva-pravarā jaguḥ mumucuḥ sumano-dhārāḥ siddhā nṛtyanti svaḥ-striyaḥ

Maitreya continued: The brahmanas praised him greatly, the foremost Gandharvas sang his glories, the Siddhas showered flowers, and the celestial women danced in joy.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.4.15.8)

शङ्खतूर्यमृदङ्गाद्या नेदुर्दुन्दुभयो दिवि । तत्र सर्व उपाजग्मुर्देवर्षिपितृणां गणाः ॥ 15.8 ॥

śaṅkha-tūrya-mṛdaṅgādyā nedur dundubhayo divi tatra sarva upājagmur devarṣi-pitṝṇāṁ gaṇāḥ

Conches, trumpets, mridangas and kettledrums resounded in the heavens, and all the hosts of gods, sages and ancestors gathered there from every quarter.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.4.15.9)

ब्रह्मा जगद्गुरुर्देवैः सहासृत्य सुरेश्वरैः । वैन्यस्य दक्षिणे हस्ते दृष्ट्वा चिह्नं गदाभृतः ॥ 15.9 ॥

brahmā jagad-gurur devaiḥ sahāsṛtya sureśvaraiḥ vainyasya dakṣiṇe haste dṛṣṭvā cihnaṁ gadābhṛtaḥ

Brahma, the teacher of the universe, arrived there together with the gods and their lords, and, beholding upon the right hand of Vena's son the mark of the mace-bearer,

Verse 10 (bhagavata.4.15.10)

पादयोररविन्दं च तं वै मेने हरेः कलाम् । यस्याप्रतिहतं चक्रमंशः स परमेष्ठिनः ॥ 15.10 ॥

pādayor aravindaṁ ca taṁ vai mene hareḥ kalām yasyāpratihataṁ cakram aṁśaḥ sa parameṣṭhinaḥ

and, on the soles of his feet, the sign of the lotus, recognized him as a portion of Hari, whose disc none can withstand — himself a portion of the Supreme Person.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.4.15.11)

तस्याभिषेक आरब्धो ब्राह्मणैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः । आभिषेचनिकान्यस्मै आजह्रुः सर्वतो जनाः ॥ 15.11 ॥

tasyābhiṣeka ārabdho brāhmaṇair brahma-vādibhiḥ ābhiṣecanikāny asmai ājahruḥ sarvato janāḥ

Then the brahmanas, learned in the Veda, began his coronation, and people from every quarter gathered together all the requisites for that consecration.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.4.15.12)

सरित्समुद्रा गिरयो नागा गावः खगा मृगाः । द्यौः क्षितिः सर्वभूतानि समाजह्रुरुपायनम् ॥ 15.12 ॥

sarit-samudrā girayo nāgā gāvaḥ khagā mṛgāḥ dyauḥ kṣitiḥ sarva-bhūtāni samājahrur upāyanam

Rivers, oceans, mountains, serpents, cows, birds, beasts, the sky, the earth and all beings brought forth their own offerings.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.4.15.13)

सोऽभिषिक्तो महाराजः सुवासाः साध्वलड़्क़ृतः । पत्न्यार्चिषालड्क़ृतया विरेजेऽग्निरिवापरः ॥ 15.13 ॥

so ’bhiṣikto mahārājaḥ suvāsāḥ sādhv-alaṅkṛtaḥ patnyārciṣālaṅkṛtayā vireje ’gnir ivāparaḥ

Thus consecrated, that great king, finely robed and adorned, together with his beautifully ornamented queen Archi, shone like fire itself accompanied by its own radiance.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.4.15.14)

तस्मै जहार धनदो हैमं वीर वरासनम् । वरुणः सलिलस्रावमातपत्रं शशिप्रभम् ॥ 15.14 ॥

tasmai jahāra dhanado haimaṁ vīra varāsanam varuṇaḥ salila-srāvam ātapatraṁ śaśi-prabham

To him Kuvera brought a golden throne, O hero, and Varuna a moon-bright umbrella ever sprinkling fine drops of water.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.4.15.15)

वायुश्च वालव्यजने धर्मः कीर्तिमयीं स्रजम् । इन्द्रः किरीटमुत्कृष्टं दण्डं संयमनं यमः ॥ 15.15 ॥

vāyuś ca vāla-vyajane dharmaḥ kīrtimayīṁ srajam indraḥ kirīṭam utkṛṣṭaṁ daṇḍaṁ saṁyamanaṁ yamaḥ

Vayu gave two fine chowries, Dharma a garland that would carry his fame ever forward, Indra a magnificent crown, and Yama the scepter of just restraint.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.4.15.16)

ब्रह्मा ब्रह्ममयं वर्म भारती हारमुत्तमम् । हरिः सुदर्शनं चक्रं तत्पत्न्यव्याहतां श्रियम् ॥ 15.16 ॥

brahmā brahmamayaṁ varma bhāratī hāram uttamam hariḥ sudarśanaṁ cakraṁ tat-patny avyāhatāṁ śriyam

Brahma gave him an armor woven of sacred knowledge, Bharati his consort a matchless necklace, Hari the Sudarshana discus, and His own consort Lakshmi imperishable fortune.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.4.15.17)

दशचन्द्रमसिं रुद्रः शतचन्द्रं तथाम्बिका । सोमोऽमृतमयानश्वांस्त्वष्टा रूपाश्रयं रथम् ॥ 15.17 ॥

daśa-candram asiṁ rudraḥ śata-candraṁ tathāmbikā somo ’mṛtamayān aśvāṁs tvaṣṭā rūpāśrayaṁ ratham

Rudra gave a sword marked with ten moons in its sheath, Ambika a shield marked with a hundred moons, Soma horses formed of nectar, and Tvashta a chariot of surpassing beauty.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.4.15.18)

अग्निराजगवं चापं सूर्यो रश्मिमयानिषून् । भूः पादुके योगमय्यौ द्यौः पुष्पावलिमन्वहम् ॥ 15.18 ॥

agnir āja-gavaṁ cāpaṁ sūryo raśmimayān iṣūn bhūḥ pāduke yogamayyau dyauḥ puṣpāvalim anvaham

Agni gave a bow fashioned from the horn of a wild ox, Surya arrows woven of his own rays, Bhumi a pair of sandals endowed with mystic power, and Dyau an unceasing daily shower of flowers.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.4.15.19)

नाट्यं सुगीतं वादित्रमन्तर्धानं च खेचराः । ऋषयश्चाशिषः सत्याः समुद्रः शङ्खमात्मजम् ॥ 15.19 ॥

nāṭyaṁ sugītaṁ vāditram antardhānaṁ ca khecarāḥ ṛṣayaś cāśiṣaḥ satyāḥ samudraḥ śaṅkham ātmajam

The sky-dwelling gods gave him dance, fine song, instrumental music and the art of vanishing at will; the sages gave him true and unfailing blessings, and the ocean gave him a conch born of its own waters.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.4.15.20)

सिन्धवः पर्वता नद्यो रथवीथीर्महात्मनः । सूतोऽथ मागधो वन्दी तं स्तोतुमुपतस्थिरे ॥ 15.20 ॥

sindhavaḥ parvatā nadyo ratha-vīthīr mahātmanaḥ sūto ’tha māgadho vandī taṁ stotum upatasthire

The seas, mountains and rivers opened for that great soul unobstructed pathways for his chariot, and the court bard, the herald of Magadha, and the eulogist came forward to sing his praises.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.4.15.21)

स्तावकांस्तानभिप्रेत्य पृथुर्वैन्यः प्रतापवान् । मेघनिर्ह्रादया वाचा प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ 15.21 ॥

stāvakāṁs tān abhipretya pṛthur vainyaḥ pratāpavān megha-nirhrādayā vācā prahasann idam abravīt

Beholding these eulogists before him, the mighty Prithu, son of Vena, smiling, spoke to them in a voice deep as the rumble of clouds.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.4.15.22)

पृथुरुवाच भोः सूत हे मागध सौम्य वन्दिँ- ल्लोकेऽधुनास्पष्टगुणस्य मे स्यात् । किमाश्रयो मे स्तव एष योज्यतां मा मय्यभूवन्वितथा गिरो वः ॥ 15.22 ॥

pṛthur uvāca bhoḥ sūta he māgadha saumya vandiḻ loke ’dhunāspaṣṭa-guṇasya me syāt kim āśrayo me stava eṣa yojyatāṁ mā mayy abhūvan vitathā giro vaḥ

Prithu said: O gentle Suta, Magadha and Vandin, the qualities of which you speak are not yet manifest in me in the eyes of the world; on what ground, then, should this praise of yours be founded? I would not have your words go for nothing, yet let them not be spoken falsely of me.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.4.15.23)

तस्मात्परोक्षेऽस्मदुपश्रुतान्यलं करिष्यथ स्तोत्रमपीच्यवाचः । सत्युत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवादे जुगुप्सितं न स्तवयन्ति सभ्याः ॥ 15.23 ॥

tasmāt parokṣe ’smad-upaśrutāny alaṁ kariṣyatha stotram apīcya-vācaḥ saty uttamaśloka-guṇānuvāde jugupsitaṁ na stavayanti sabhyāḥ

Therefore, when in time to come you have truly witnessed these virtues in me, then offer your eloquent praise; for the honorable, in singing the glory of the truly praiseworthy Lord, never attribute to another what is unworthy.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.4.15.24)

महद्गुणानात्मनि कर्तुमीशः कः स्तावकैः स्तावयतेऽसतोऽपि । तेऽस्याभविष्यन्निति विप्रलब्धो जनावहासं कुमतिर्न वेद ॥ 15.24 ॥

mahad-guṇān ātmani kartum īśaḥ kaḥ stāvakaiḥ stāvayate ’sato ’pi te ’syābhaviṣyann iti vipralabdho janāvahāsaṁ kumatir na veda

What wise man, capable of cultivating true virtue within himself, would let his flatterers praise him for virtues he does not possess? Deceived by their claim that such qualities "would have been his," the foolish man fails to see that this is nothing but public mockery.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.4.15.25)

प्रभवो ह्यात्मनः स्तोत्रं जुगुप्सन्त्यपि विश्रुताः । ह्रीमन्तः परमोदाराः पौरुषं वा विगर्हितम् ॥ 15.25 ॥

prabhavo hy ātmanaḥ stotraṁ jugupsanty api viśrutāḥ hrīmantaḥ paramodārāḥ pauruṣaṁ vā vigarhitam

Even those renowned for their own power shrink from hearing their own praise, for the truly modest and magnanimous find flattery as distasteful as they would find their own disgraceful conduct.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.4.15.26)

वयं त्वविदिता लोके सूताद्यापि वरीमभिः । कर्मभिः कथमात्मानं गापयिष्याम बालवत् ॥ 15.26 ॥

vayaṁ tv aviditā loke sūtādyāpi varīmabhiḥ karmabhiḥ katham ātmānaṁ gāpayiṣyāma bālavat

Prithu continued: My dear Suta and companions, as yet I am unknown in the world for any excellent deed of my own; how then should I have myself praised for actions I have not performed, like some vain child?