॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Friday, 9 September 2022 - Parikshit rules well. He goes after Kali who is descending on his kingdom and witnesses a strange conversation between Dharma and Earth.
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We should sensitise ourselves to some of the allegorical stories and strange conversations in the Puranas. These exemplify the poet-sages’ imagination at work. They also make us think about life deeply.
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Suta narrates to Shaunaka and the other rishis how King Parikshit turned out to be as great a monarch as the astrogers had predicted at his birth. He married his uncle’s daughter Iravati and begot four sons, the first being Janamejaya.
Parikshit under the priesthood of Sage Kripa performed three glorious Ashwamedha yajnas. They were occasions when he gave away his wealth to all people most generously. The gods were pleased to come in person to accept his propitious offerings.
Having heard that Kali was descending on his kingdom, Parikshit went with his full army to go and drive out the evil. Kali is the deity of this Yuga and he manages to make people and life in general unworthy, mean and unhappy. As we read in the Mahatmyam, his effects are severe and only Bhakti can save one in Kali Yuga, a theme that resonates throughout Srimad Bhagavatam. This chapter lays the foundation for such a narrative.
Suta says that Kali was caught tormenting a bull and a cow, but he was given lenient punishment by Parikshit and let go. This surprises the sages.
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Sage Shaunaka asked,
तत्कथ्यतां महाभाग यदि कृष्णकथाश्रयम्।
अथवास्य पदाम्भोजमकरन्दलिहां सताम्।
किमन्यैरसदालापैरायुषो यदसद्व्ययः॥
क्षुद्रायुषां नृणामङ्ग मृत्युः शामित्रकर्मणि।
अहो नृलोके पीयेत हरिलीलामृतं वचः॥
T:”Oh, Sir, please narrate how Kali got off lightly, provided this will shed light on the great pastimes of Bhagavan Sri Krishna. Or at least if it turns out to be full of stories about his great devotees. Indeed, life is too short to be spent entertaining ourselves with worldly stories that do not concern the Eternal Truth. Even a man interested in holy pursuits for liberation is thwarted by the all-powerful God of Death.”
The Suta replied,
“King Parikshit wanted to capture Kali eventually. So he went after him with all his forces. But on the way he witnessed a strange conversation taking place between a bull who stood on only one leg and a cow who was weeping.”
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The bull was none other than Dharma (personification of righteousness). And the cow was Mother Earth.
Dharma enquired,
“Oh, Lady Cow, why are you weeping and looking colourless? Are you ill? Do you weep for me, Dharma, for managing to stand on only one leg? Are you threatened by butchers? Do you bemoan the gods not being worshipped properly? Do you mourn the fate of people who have fallen on hard times? Are you crying for women and children abandoned? Do you suffer because the Goddess of Knowledge is mistreated by inept Brahmins, those deviant in life-style? Are you distressed that people are so materialistic as to be occupied only with enjoying, procreating and wasting their lives? Have you become like this after the passing of Sri Krishna, the supreme protector?”
The cow replied-
“Sir, as Dharma, you too were supported by Sri Krishna, the supreme lord. Your condition is now not too good.“
सत्यं शौचं दया क्षान्तिस्त्याग: सन्तोष आर्जवम्।
शमो दमस्तप: साम्यं तितिक्षोपरति: श्रुतम्॥
ज्ञानं विरक्तिरैश्वर्यं शौर्यं तेजो बलं स्मृति:।
स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्तिर्धैर्यं मार्दवमेव च॥
प्रागल्भ्यं प्रश्रय: शीलं सह ओजो बलं भग:।
गाम्भीर्यं स्थैर्यमास्तिक्यं कीर्तिर्मानोऽनहङ्कृति:॥
एते चान्ये च भगवन्नित्या यत्र महागुणा:।
प्रार्थ्या महत्त्वमिच्छद्भिर्न वियन्ति स्म कर्हिचित्॥
तेनाहं गुणपात्रेण श्रीनिवासेन साम्प्रतम्।
शोचामि रहितं लोकं पाप्मना कलिनेक्षितम्॥
T: “In our Lord, Sri Krishna reposed all great qualities-cleanliness,empathy for the suffering, temperance, contentment, simplicity, fortitude, austerity, dexterity, tolerance, fidelity, efficiency, beauty, kindness, creativity, culture, wisdom and learning, prosperity, fame, genuine worshipfulness. In His absence, these qualities have disappeared almost, and Kali’s influence is rampant everywhere.”
“स्वातन्त्र्यं कौशलं कान्तिर्धैर्यं मार्दवमेव च
T: true economic and political freedom, proficiency in all walks of life, a radiance of prosperity, bravery and resourcefulness, and yet a cultural sensibility and a humane sensitivity to all life - these qualities shone during Sri Krishna’s incarnation!”
“I mourn that the world is now without that Lord of glory, enshrining the Goddess of Prosperity Sri, and instead has become the target of Kali.”
“You know, when I was trodded on and burdened by those huge armies during the war, it was He who relieved me of my suffering. He was there among the Yadus to take care of you too. But no more.”
“I remember with much thrill the amorous sports of Sri Krishna’s wives with him and his bewitching smiles, with Satyabhama in the lead. Their sport covered me with the dust of their feet, a blessing given their true devotion.”
“Listening to this conversation, King Parikshit discovered he had reached the eastern bank of the river Saraswati.”
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
