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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Prithu, the righteous ruler of yore

 

CHENNAI, JULY. 21. If a hypothetical question is posed as to how

will men react should God choose to appear before them, it can be

surmised that those who are ever immersed in worldly pleasures

will seek from Him only material benefits while those who have

been resorting to spiritual exercises will express a desire to

get rid of re-births and wish to enter the Divine Kingdom. ``We

want You only and we will hold to Your feet'' will be their

prayers. These attitudes make all the difference between laymen

and those who are God-centred, who rely on God forever. Several

episodes, interspersed in our religious literature, bring out the

moral that our duty is to adopt righteous steps in our activities

and seek divine grace in our endeavour. When tough situations

arise, we should throw ourselves before God who makes the Sun and

Moon rise, cause wind and other elements of Nature to perform

their duties.

 

The Bhagavatam presents the story of an emperor who administered

his kingdom, always maintaining discipline and keeping welfare of

his citizens in mind. Because of his righteous rule, the universe

came to be named after him and it is called ``Prithvi''. He

``tamed'' the earth by ``commanding'' it to shower prosperity on

people as on one occasion, it caused misery amongst them. Prithu,

as he was known, was aware that the crown was not made of roses.

He earned the affection of everyone. He performed 99 horse-

sacrifices (Aswametha Yagna) and as he was conducting the final

(100th) one, the chief of celestials, upset at his progress and

presuming that his gains may result in his losing his own throne,

created obstacles. Realising that Prithu's intentions were noble

and his act was not to disturb anyone, sages interfered and with

powerful incantations, brought the chief of the celestials and

arranged for the maintenance of good relation between the two,

said Sri P. M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal in a discourse.

 

Making His appearance before Prithu, Lord Vishnu explained the

duties of a king on the basis of Dharma. In his hymn to the Lord,

the ruler said a man of intelligence would not ask for boon from

Him. ``If a favour of any choice is to be bestowed, grant me

10,000 ears with which I may support my soul in the boundless joy

that listening to the words of great visionaries on Your

excellences alone can impart. I shall not ask any boon other than

to be devoted to You and eternal absorption in the contemplation

of Your endless merits and glories. It is for You to protect us

as You alone know what is good for us''.

 

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