Shloka 18
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
गौर्भूत्वाश्रुमुखी खिन्ना क्रन्दन्ती करुणं विभो: । उपस्थितान्तिके तस्मै व्यसनं समवोचत ॥ १८ ॥
gaur bhūtvāśru-mukhī khinnā krandantī karuṇaṁ vibhoḥ upasthitāntike tasmai vyasanaṁ samavocata
Mutter Erde nahm die Gestalt einer Kuh an; tief bekümmert, mit Tränen in den Augen, klagte sie erbarmungsvoll und trat vor Brahmā, um ihm ihr Unglück zu schildern.
FAQs
The Earth (Bhūmi) takes the symbolic form of a cow to express her suffering under the burden of irreligious rulers and violence, approaching the Supreme Lord for protection and relief.
She approached the all-powerful Lord (Vibhu—understood as Lord Viṣṇu, who arranges the descent of Kṛṣṇa) and explained the calamity afflicting the world.
When overwhelmed by suffering, one should take shelter of the Supreme Lord with sincerity—bringing one’s troubles to Him through prayer, devotion, and dharmic living, trusting in divine guidance.