Shloka 27
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
त्वां स्तब्धां दुर्मदां नीत्वा मायागां तिलश: शरै: । आत्मयोगबलेनेमा धारयिष्याम्यहं प्रजा: ॥ २७ ॥
tvāṁ stabdhāṁ durmadāṁ nītvā māyā-gāṁ tilaśaḥ śaraiḥ ātma-yoga-balenemā dhārayiṣyāmy ahaṁ prajāḥ
You are very much puffed up with pride and have become almost insane. Presently you have assumed the form of a cow by your mystic powers. Nonetheless I shall cut you into small pieces like grain, and I will uphold the entire population by my personal mystic powers.
The earth informed King Pṛthu that if he destroyed her, he and his subjects would all fall down into the waters of the garbha ocean. King Pṛthu now replies to that point. Although the earth assumed the shape of a cow by her mystic powers in order to be saved from being killed by the King, the King was aware of this fact and would not hesitate to cut her to pieces, just like small bits of grain. As far as the destruction of the citizens is concerned, Mahārāja Pṛthu maintained that he could uphold everyone by his own mystic powers. He did not need the help of the earthly planet. Being the incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, Pṛthu Mahārāja possessed the power of Saṅkarṣaṇa, which is explained by the scientists as the power of gravitation. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is holding millions of planets in space without any support; similarly, Pṛthu Mahārāja would not have had any difficulty supporting all his citizens and himself in space without the help of the planet earth. The Lord is known as Yogeśvara, master of all mystic powers. Consequently the planet earth was informed by the King that she need not worry about his standing without her help.
FAQs
This verse shows that a righteous ruler must uphold and sustain the citizens, using strength guided by self-discipline (ātma-yoga-bala), even if firm action is required to stop harm.
In the narrative of Canto 4, Chapter 17, Earth had withheld resources and moved evasively; Pṛthu, responsible for the welfare of all beings, warns her that he will subdue her resistance so that the world can be maintained.
Cultivate inner discipline—steady mind, controlled senses, and principled action—so that your responsibility (family, work, community) is carried with firmness, clarity, and compassion rather than ego or impulse.