Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 31
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
य एतदादावसृजच्चराचरं स्वमाययात्माश्रययावितर्क्यया । तयैव सोऽयं किल गोप्तुमुद्यत: कथं नु मां धर्मपरो जिघांसति ॥ ३१ ॥
ya etad ādāv asṛjac carācaraṁ sva-māyayātmāśrayayāvitarkyayā tayaiva so ’yaṁ kila goptum udyataḥ kathaṁ nu māṁ dharma-paro jighāṁsati
Ô Seigneur, au commencement de la création Tu as engendré tous les êtres mobiles et immobiles par Ton énergie inconcevable, reposant en Toi-même. Par cette même énergie Tu es maintenant prêt à protéger les êtres; Tu es le suprême gardien du dharma. Pourquoi donc veux-Tu me tuer, alors que je suis sous la forme d’une vache ?
The planet earth argues that there is no doubt that one who creates can also annihilate by his sweet will. The planet earth questions why she should be killed when the Lord is prepared to give protection to everyone. After all, it is the earth that is the resting place for all other living entities, and it is the earth that produces grains for them.
FAQs
This verse states that the Lord created the universe by His own māyā, which rests on Him and is beyond logical speculation, yet by that same power He protects creation.
Seeing Pṛthu ready to punish her for withholding resources, the Earth personified reasons that a dharma-loving king, aligned with the Lord’s protective purpose, would not truly intend to kill her.
Rely on dharma and humility: accept that not everything can be solved by argument alone, and act as a protector—of people, nature, and responsibilities—rather than from anger.