Shloka 15
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
तामन्वधावत्तद्वैन्य: कुपितोऽत्यरुणेक्षण: । शरं धनुषि सन्धाय यत्र यत्र पलायते ॥ १५ ॥
tām anvadhāvat tad vainyaḥ kupito ’tyaruṇekṣaṇaḥ śaraṁ dhanuṣi sandhāya yatra yatra palāyate
Seeing this, Mahārāja Pṛthu, the son of Vena, became fiercely angry; his eyes reddened like the rising sun at dawn. Fixing an arrow upon his bow, he pursued the earth in the form of a cow wherever she fled.
FAQs
This verse describes Pṛthu’s intense resolve: with an arrow set on his bow, he chases Bhūmi (Earth) wherever she flees, showing a ruler’s determination to restore prosperity and order.
In the surrounding narrative, Earth withholds her produce, causing suffering. Pṛthu, as king, becomes angry because protecting citizens’ welfare is his duty, and he confronts Earth to rectify the imbalance.
Leaders and caretakers should act decisively for the well-being of those dependent on them—addressing shortages and injustice with responsibility, not apathy—while ultimately aiming for protection and restoration.