SB 04 17 10-11 - Bhanu Swami.mp3	19.4 MB
SB 04 17 10-11 - Kavichandra Swami.mp3	24.3 MB
SB 04 17 10-11 - Padmanayan Prabhu - ISKCON Mayapur 2011-06-07.mp3	24.5 MB

vayam rajañ jatharenabhitapta

yathagnina kotara-sthena vrksah

tvam adya yatah saranam saranyam

yah sadhito vrtti-karah patir nah
 

tan no bhavan ihatu ratave ’nnam

ksudharditanam naradeva-deva

yavan na nanksyamaha ujjhitorja

varta-patis tvam kila loka-palah

 

Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: 

 

Dear King, just as a tree with a fire burning in the hollow of the trunk gradually dries up, we are drying up due to the fire of hunger in our stomachs. You are the protector of surrendered souls, and you have been appointed to give employment to us. Therefore we have all come to you for protection. You are not only a king, but the incarnation of God as well. Indeed, you are the king of all kings. You can give us all kinds of occupational engagements, for you are the master of our livelihood. Therefore, O king of all kings, please arrange to satisfy our hunger by the proper distribution of food grains. Please take care of us, lest we soon die for want of food.

 

Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: 

 

It is the duty of the king to see that everyone in the social orders — brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra — is fully employed in the state. Just as it is the duty of the brahmanas to elect a proper king, it is the duty of the king to see that all the varnas — brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra — are fully engaged in their respective occupational duties. It is here indicated that although the people were allowed to perform their duties, they were still unemployed. Although they were not lazy, they still could not produce sufficient food to satisfy their hunger. When the people are perplexed in this way, they should approach the head of government, and the president or king should take immediate action to mitigate the distress of the people.