Shloka 23
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
यवसं जग्ध्यनुदिनं नैव दोग्ध्यौधसं पय: । तस्यामेवं हि दुष्टायां दण्डो नात्र न शस्यते ॥ २३ ॥
yavasaṁ jagdhy anudinaṁ naiva dogdhy audhasaṁ payaḥ tasyām evaṁ hi duṣṭāyāṁ daṇḍo nātra na śasyate
Though you eat green grass every day, you do not fill your milk bag so we may use your milk. Since you deliberately commit offenses, you are not beyond punishment merely because you have assumed the form of a cow.
A cow eats green grasses in the pasture and fills her milk bag with sufficient milk so that the cowherdsmen can milk her. Yajñas (sacrifices) are performed to produce sufficient clouds that will pour water over the earth. The word payaḥ can refer both to milk and to water. As one of the demigods, the earthly planet was taking her share in the yajñas — that is, she was eating green grass — but in return she was not producing sufficient food grains — that is, she was not filling her milk bag. Pṛthu Mahārāja was therefore justified in threatening to punish her for her offense.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when a subject becomes harmful or obstinate—taking benefits but not giving rightful contribution—measured chastisement by a righteous ruler is not condemned and can be dharmic.
In the narrative, the Earth had withheld her produce, causing suffering; Pṛthu argues that if she accepts nourishment yet does not yield milk-like benefits (grains/resources), then corrective action is justified.
Leadership and accountability: benefits should be matched with responsibility—whether in governance, organizations, or personal duties—while correction should be principled, proportional, and aimed at restoring welfare.