# SB 5.7.4 ## Text > sa bahuvin mahī-patiḥ pitṛ-pitāmahavad uru-vatsalatayā sve sve karmaṇi vartamānāḥ prajāḥ sva-dharmam anuvartamānaḥ paryapālayat. ## Synonyms *saḥ*—that King (Mahārāja Bharata); *bahu*-*vit*—being very advanced in knowledge; *mahī*-*patiḥ*—the ruler of the earth; *pitṛ*—father; *pitāmaha*—grandfather; *vat*—exactly like; *uru*-*vatsalatayā*—with the quality of being very affectionate to the citizens; *sve* *sve*—in their own respective; *karmaṇi*—duties; *vartamānāḥ*—remaining; *prajāḥ*—the citizens; *sva*-*dharmam* *anuvartamānaḥ*—being perfectly situated in his own occupational duty; *paryapālayat*—ruled. ## Translation **Mahārāja Bharata was a very learned and experienced king on this earth. He perfectly ruled the citizens, being himself engaged in his own respective duties. Mahārāja Bharata was as affectionate to the citizens as his father and grandfather had been. Keeping them engaged in their occupational duties, he ruled the earth.** ## Purport It is most important that the chief executive rule the citizens by keeping them fully engaged in their respective occupational duties. Some of the citizens were *brāhmaṇas, some* were *kṣatriyas,* and some were *vaiśyas* and *śūdras.* It is the duty of the government to see that the citizens act according to these material divisions for their spiritual advancement. No one should remain unemployed or unoccupied in any way. One must work as a *brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya* or *śūdra* on the material path. and on the spiritual path, everyone should act as a *brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha* or *sannyāsī.* Although formerly the government was a monarchy, all the kings were very affectionate toward the citizens, and they strictly kept them engaged in their respective duties. Therefore society was very smoothly conducted.