Shloka 4

Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga

Devanagari script

पप्रच्छ रथमारूढ: कार्तस्वरपरिच्छदम् । मेघगम्भीरया वाचा समारोपितकार्मुक: ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

papraccha ratham ārūḍhaḥ kārtasvara-paricchadam megha-gambhīrayā vācā samāropita-kārmukaḥ

Translation

Mahārāja Parīkṣit, auf einem goldverzierten Wagen sitzend, mit gespanntem Bogen und Pfeilen gerüstet, befragte ihn (den Śūdra) mit einer tiefen, donnergleichen Stimme.

Synonyms

• पप्रच्छ: asked
• पप्रच्छ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्शभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• रथम्: the chariot
• रथम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आरूढः: mounted (having ascended)
• आरूढः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-रुह् (धातु) → आरूढ (क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• कार्तस्वर-परिच्छदम्: having golden trappings/coverings
• कार्तस्वर-परिच्छदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्तस्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + परिच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (रथम्)

• मेघ-गम्भीरया: with (a voice) deep like a cloud
• मेघ-गम्भीरया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ (प्रातिपदिक) + गम्भीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (वाचा)

• वाचा: by (his) speech/voice
• वाचा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• समारोपित-कार्मुकः: with bow readied/raised
• समारोपित-कार्मुकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-रुह्/आ-रुप्? (धातु) → समारोपित (क्त-कृदन्त) + कार्मुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; (समारोपितं कार्मुकं यस्य)

Purport

An administrative head or king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit, with full majestic authority, well equipped with weapons to chastise miscreants, can challenge the agents of the Age of Kali. Then only will it be possible to counteract the degraded age. And in the absence of such strong executive heads, there is always disruption of tranquillity. The elected show-bottle executive head, as representative of a degraded public, cannot be equal with a strong king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit. The dress or style of royal order does not count. It is one’s actions which are counted.

Characters & Entities

• King Parikshit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about confronting Kali Yuga in Canto 1 Chapter 17?

This verse shows King Parikshit as vigilant and ready to act—armed and composed—inquiring firmly, indicating that Kali is checked by alert leadership and devotion to dharma.

Why did King Parikshit speak in a thunderous voice in Srimad Bhagavatam 1.17.4?

His deep, commanding voice reflects royal authority and righteous anger, as he is about to question and restrain the forces harming dharma in his kingdom.

Practical application of protecting dharma in modern life based on Bhagavatam 1.17.4?

Be prepared and principled: inquire clearly, stand up against degrading influences, and support what sustains virtue—truthfulness, compassion, and spiritual practice.