Shloka 35
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
सूत उवाच परीक्षितैवमादिष्ट: स कलिर्जातवेपथु: । तमुद्यतासिमाहेदं दण्डपाणिमिवोद्यतम् ॥ ३५ ॥
sūta uvāca parīkṣitaivam ādiṣṭaḥ sa kalir jāta-vepathuḥ tam udyatāsim āhedaṁ daṇḍa-pāṇim ivodyatam
Śrī Sūta sprach: So von Mahārāja Parīkṣit angewiesen, begann die Personifikation des Kali vor Furcht zu zittern. Als er den König vor sich wie Yamarāja sah, den Strafstab in der Hand und das Schwert erhoben, bereit ihn zu töten, sprach Kali wie folgt zum König.
The King was ready to kill the personality of Kali at once, as soon as he disobeyed his order. Otherwise the King had no objection to allowing him to prolong his life. The personality of Kali also, after attempting to get rid of the punishment in various ways, decided that he must surrender unto him, and thus he began to tremble in fear of his life. The king, or the executive head, must be so strong as to stand before the personality of Kali like the personality of death, Yamarāja. The King’s order must be obeyed, otherwise the culprit’s life is in risk. That is the way to rule the personalities of Kali who create disturbance in the normal life of the state citizens.
FAQs
This verse shows personified Kali trembling when confronted by King Parīkṣit, indicating that Kali’s influence retreats before firm, righteous authority aligned with dharma.
Because Parīkṣit had ordered him and stood ready to punish him with a raised sword; out of fear, Kali began to plead and speak for his own protection.
Like Parīkṣit’s firmness, one should set clear boundaries against irreligion—protect truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, and austerity—so harmful habits and influences cannot take shelter.