FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.22.59

धर्मराडिव शिक्षायामाश्चर्ये हिमवानिव । कुवेर इव कोशाढ्यो गुप्तार्थो वरुणो यथा ॥ ५९ ॥
dharma-rāḍ iva śikṣāyām
[dharma-raad iva shikshaayaam]
āścarye himavān iva
[aashcharye himavaan iva]
kuvera iva kośāḍhyo
[kuvera iva koshaadhyo]
guptārtho varuṇo yathā
[guptaartho varuno yathaa]
dharma-rāṭ iva — like King Yamarāja (the superintendent of death) śikṣāyām — in education āścarye — in opulence himavān iva — like the Himālaya Mountains kuveraḥ — the treasurer of the heavenly planets iva — like kośa-āḍhyaḥ — in the matter of possessing wealth gupta-arthaḥ — secrecy varuṇaḥ — the demigod named Varuṇa yathā — like.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dharma-rāḍ iva śikṣāyām
dharma-rāṭ iva
like King Yamarāja (the superintendent of death)
śikṣāyām
in education
āścarye himavān iva
āścarye
in opulence
himavān iva
like the Himālaya Mountains
kuvera iva kośāḍhyo
kuveraḥ
the treasurer of the heavenly planets
iva
like
kośa-āḍhyaḥ
in the matter of possessing wealth
guptārtho varuṇo yathā
gupta-arthaḥ
secrecy
varuṇaḥ
the demigod named Varuṇa
yathā
like.
Mahārāja Pṛthu’s intelligence and education were exactly like that of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death. His opulence was comparable to the Himālaya Mountains, where all valuable jewels and metals are stocked. He possessed great riches like Kuvera, the treasurer of the heavenly planets, and no one could reveal his secrets, for they were like the demigod Varuṇa’s.

Yamarāja, or Dharmarāja, as the superintendent of death, has to judge the criminal living entities who have committed sinful activities throughout their lives. Consequently Yamarāja is expected to be most expert in judicial matters. Pṛthu Mahārāja was also highly learned and exceedingly exact in delivering his judgment upon the citizens. No one could excel him in opulence any more than estimate the stock of minerals and jewels in the Himālaya Mountains; therefore he is compared to Kuvera, the treasurer of the heavenly planets. Nor could anyone discover the secrets of his life any more than learn the secrets of Varuṇa, the demigod presiding over the water, the night, and the western sky. Varuṇa is omniscient, and since he punishes sins, he is prayed to for forgiveness. He is also the sender of disease and is often associated with Mitra and Indra.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
He was like Yamarāja in applying punishment and like the Himalayas in astonishing everyone. He was like Kuvera in wealth. He was like Varuṇa in hiding things.
Intelligence like Yamarāja, wealth like Himālaya, riches like Kuvera; his determination was unrevealed. Some assets are best held privately; not every strength needs broadcasting.
Reflection Questions
  • Which of my strengths am I revealing prematurely, weakening their use?
  • Where could unrevealed determination restore an advantage I've squandered through over-disclosure?
📝 My note

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