Shloka 42
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
वृषस्य नष्टांस्त्रीन् पादान् तप: शौचं दयामिति । प्रतिसन्दध आश्वास्य महीं च समवर्धयत् ॥ ४२ ॥
vṛṣasya naṣṭāṁs trīn pādān tapaḥ śaucaṁ dayām iti pratisandadha āśvāsya mahīṁ ca samavardhayat
Después, el rey restableció las tres patas perdidas del toro, personificación de la Religión—tapas (austeridad), śauca (pureza) y dayā (compasión)—y, alentando las buenas obras, mejoró suficientemente la condición de la tierra.
By designating particular places for the personality of Kali, Mahārāja Parīkṣit practically cheated Kali. In the presence of Kali, Dharma (in the shape of a bull), and the earth (in the shape of a cow), he could actually estimate the general condition of his kingdom, and therefore he at once took proper steps to reestablish the legs of the bull, namely austerity, cleanliness and mercy. And for the general benefit of the people of the world, he saw that the gold stock might be employed for stabilization. Gold is certainly a generator of falsity, intoxication, prostitution, enmity and violence, but under the guidance of a proper king or public leader, or a brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī, the same gold can be properly utilized to reestablish the lost legs of the bull, the personality of religion.
FAQs
This verse states that three legs of the bull of Dharma—tapas (austerity), śauca (purity), and dayā (compassion)—had been lost, and Parīkṣit restored them, indicating these virtues decline in Kali-yuga and must be protected.
In the narrative, Parīkṣit encounters Dharma suffering due to Kali’s influence; by reassuring and restoring Dharma’s lost virtues, he acts as an ideal king who protects righteousness and the welfare of the world.
Practice self-discipline (tapas), maintain inner and outer cleanliness (śauca), and cultivate kindness and non-harm (dayā); these rebuild personal and social dharma in a Kali-yuga environment.