TEXT 23
visphurjayann aja-gavam dhanuh svayam
yadacarat ksmam avisahyam ajau
tada nililyur disi disy asanto
langulam udyamya yatha mrgendrah
SYNONYMS
visphurjayanvibrating; aja-gavammade of the horns of goats and bulls; dhanuhhis bow; svayampersonally; yadawhen; acaratwill travel; ksmamon the earth; avisahyamirresistible; ajauin battle; tadaat that time; nililyuhwill hide themselves; disi disiin all directions; asantahdemoniac men; langulamtail; udyamyakeeping high; yathaas; mrgendrahthe lion.
TRANSLATION
When the lion travels in the forest with its tail turned upward, all menial animals hide themselves. Similarly, when King Prthu will travel over his kingdom and vibrate the string of his bow, which is made of the horns of goats and bulls and is irresistible in battle, all demoniac rogues and thieves will hide themselves in all directions.
PURPORT
It is very appropriate to compare a powerful king like Prthu to a lion. In India, ksatriya kings are still called singh, which means lion. Unless rogues, thieves and other demoniac people in a state are afraid of the executive head, who rules the kingdom with a strong hand, there cannot be peace or prosperity in the state. Thus it is most regrettable when a woman becomes the executive head instead of a lionlike king. In such a situation the people are considered very unfortunate.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/16/23

Previous: SB 4.16.22     Next: SB 4.16.24

If you Love Me Distribute My Books -- Srila Prabhupada