SB 1.9.49 (1964)
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT No. 49
- Pitra chanumato raja vasudev anumoditah
- Chakara rajyam dharmena pitri paitamaha bibhuh
ENGLISH SYNONYMS
Pitra—by uncle Dhritrastra, Chanumato—with his approval, Raja—King Yudhisthir, Vasudevanumodito—confirmed by Lord Shri Krishna, Chakare—executed, Rajyam—the kingdom, Dharmena—in compliance with the codes of royal principles, Pitri—father, Paitamaha—forefatherly, Vibhuh—as great as.
TRANSLATION
After this the great religious king Maharaj Yudhisthir executed the royal power in the kingdom strictly under the codes of royal principles which were approved by his uncle and confirmed by Lord Sri Krishna.
PURPORT
Maharaja Yudhisthir was not an undue taxcollector only but he was always conscious about his duty as the King's duty is no lesser than the father or spiritual master. The king is to see to the welfare of the citizens from all angles of social, political, economical, and spiritual upliftment of the subjects. The king must know that the human life is meant for liberating the encaged soul from the bondage of material conditions and therefore his duty is to see that the citizens are properly looked after to attain this highest stage of perfection of life.
Maharaj Yudhisthir followed these principles strictly as it will be seen from the next chapter. Not only he followed the principles but also he got it approved by his old uncle experienced in political affairs and that also confirmed by Lord Krishna the speaker of the Philosophy of Bhagwat Geeta. Maharaj Yudhisthir is the ideal Monarch and monarchy under a trained up king like Maharaj Yudhisthir is by far the most superior form of Government than the modern republics or government of the people by the people. The mass of people specially in this age of Kali are all born Sudras or basically low born, ill-trained, unfortunate, and badly associated. Therefore, they themselves do not know what may be the highest perfectional aim of life. Therefore, votes casted by them practically have no value and thus persons elected by such irresponsible votes can not be as responsible representative as Maharaj Yudhisthir.
Thus ended the BHAKTIVEDANTA PURPORTS of the First Canto Nineth Chapter of Srimad Bhagwatam in the matter of Passing away Bhismadeva in the Presence of Lord Krishna.