PURPORT

Saintly devotees like Sukadeva Gosvami generally do not approach worldly enjoyers, especially those in royal orders. Maharaja Prataparudra was a follower of Lord Caitanya, but when he wanted to see the Lord, the Lord refused to see him because he was a king. For a devotee who desires to go back to Godhead, two things are strictly prohibited: worldly enjoyers and women. Therefore, devotees of the standard of Sukadeva Gosvami are never interested in seeing kings. Maharaja Pariksit was, of course, a different case. He was a great devotee, although a king, and therefore Sukadeva Gosvami came to see him in his last stage of life. Maharaja Pariksit, out of his devotional humility, felt himself an unworthy descendant of his great ksatriya forefathers, although he was as great as his predecessors. The unworthy sons of the royal orders are called ksatra-bandhavas, as the unworthy sons of the brahmanas are called dvija-bandhus or brahma-bandhus. Maharaja Pariksit was greatly encouraged by the presence of Sukadeva Gosvami. He felt himself sanctified by the presence of the great saint whose presence turns any place into a place of pilgrimage.