Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.16.16
दृढव्रत: सत्यसन्धो ब्रह्मण्यो वृद्धसेवक:
शरण्य: सर्वभूतानां मानदो दीनवत्सल: ॥ १६ ॥
dṛḍha-vrataḥ satya-sandho
[dridha-vratah satya-sandho]
brahmaṇyo vṛddha-sevakaḥ
[brahmanyo vriddha-sevakah]
śaraṇyaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
[sharanyah sarva-bhootaanaam]
mānado dīna-vatsalaḥ
[maanado deena-vatsalah]
Word-for-word
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.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dṛḍha-vrataḥ satya-sandho
dṛḍha-vrataḥ
firmly determined
satya-sandhaḥ
always situated in truth
brahmaṇyo vṛddha-sevakaḥ
brahmaṇyaḥ
a lover of the brahminical culture
vṛddha-sevakaḥ
a servitor of the old men
śaraṇyaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
śaraṇyaḥ
to be taken shelter of
sarva-bhūtānām
of all living entities
mānado dīna-vatsalaḥ
māna-daḥ
one who gives respect to all
dīna-vatsalaḥ
very kind to the poor and helpless.
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.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
He will be fixed in his vows, true to his promise, respectful to brāhmaṇas and elders, a protector of all beings, giving respect to all beings, and kind to the suffering.
Satya-sandhaḥ means “true to his promise.” He will be true to scriptural vows (dṛdha-vrataḥ), and everyday promises (satya-sandhaḥ). That is the difference.
Personal Guidance
Firm in truth, lover of brahminical culture, server of the old, shelter for the surrendered, respectful and merciful. The leader's character is a list, not a vibe; each item is checkable.
Reflection Questions
- Which item from this list is most missing in my current conduct?
- Where would adding one of these — server of the old, shelter for the surrendered — change my week?
My note
Source: vedabase.io