—json {

  "name":"SB 4.16.16",
  "h1":"SB 4.16.16",
  "label":"Text 16",
  "title":"Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.16.16",
  "description":"The King will be firmly determined and always situated in truth. He will be a lover of the brahminical culture and will render all service to old men and give shelter to all surrendered souls. Giving respect to all, he will always be merciful to the poor and innocent."

} —

SB 4.16.16

दृढव्रतः सत्यसन्धो ब्रह्मण्यो वृद्धसेवकः ।
शरण्यः सर्वभूतानां मानदो दीनवत्सलः ॥१६॥

Text

dṛḍha-vrataḥ satya-sandho
brahmaṇyo vṛddha-sevakaḥ
śaraṇyaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
mānado dīna-vatsalaḥ

Synonyms

dṛḍha-vrataḥ—firmly determined; satya-sandhaḥ—always situated in truth; brahmaṇyaḥ—a lover of the brahminical culture; vṛddha-sevakaḥ—a servitor of the old men; śaraṇyaḥ—to be taken shelter of; sarva-bhūtānām—of all living entities; māna-daḥ—one who gives respect to all; dīna-vatsalaḥ—very kind to the poor and helpless.

Translation

The King will be firmly determined and always situated in truth. He will be a lover of the brahminical culture and will render all service to old men and give shelter to all surrendered souls. Giving respect to all, he will always be merciful to the poor and innocent.

Purport

The word vṛddha-sevakaḥ is very significant. Vṛddha means “old men.” There are two kinds of old men: one is old by age, and another is old by knowledge. This Sanskrit word indicates that one can be older by the advancement of knowledge. King Pṛthu was very respectful to the brāhmaṇas, and he protected them. He also protected persons advanced in age. Whatever the King would decide to do, no one would be able to stop. That is called dṛḍha-saṅkalpa, or dṛḍha-vrata.