Shloka 25
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
अमूषां क्षुत्परीतानामार्तानां परिदेवितम् । शमयिष्यामि मद्बाणैर्भिन्नायास्तव मेदसा ॥ २५ ॥
amūṣāṁ kṣut-parītānām ārtānāṁ paridevitam śamayiṣyāmi mad-bāṇair bhinnāyās tava medasā
Now, with the help of my arrows, I shall cut you to pieces and with your flesh satisfy the hunger-stricken citizens, who are now crying for want of grains. Thus I shall satisfy the crying citizens of my kingdom.
Here we find some indication of how the government can arrange for the eating of cow flesh. It is here indicated that in a rare circumstance when there is no supply of grains, the government may sanction the eating of meat. However, when there is sufficient food, the government should not allow the eating of cow’s flesh just to satisfy the fastidious tongue. In other words, in rare circumstances, when people are suffering for want of grains, meat-eating or flesh-eating can be allowed, but not otherwise. The maintenance of slaughterhouses for the satisfaction of the tongue and the killing of animals unnecessarily should never be sanctioned by a government.
FAQs
This verse shows that a true dharmic king cannot tolerate citizens suffering from hunger; he vows to remove their distress and restore provision, even by forcefully correcting the cause.
In the narrative, Earth had withheld her produce, causing widespread hunger. Pṛthu, as protector of the people, threatened punishment to compel her to supply grains and sustenance again.
Leadership means prioritizing the suffering of dependents—responding decisively to scarcity and injustice, and ensuring basic needs are met rather than ignoring public distress.