Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 5
Śrāddhadeva Manu’s Sons: Pṛṣadhra’s Curse and Renunciation; Genealogies of Nariṣyanta and Diṣṭa
एकां जग्राह बलवान् सा चुक्रोश भयातुरा । तस्यास्तु क्रन्दितं श्रुत्वा पृषध्रोऽनुससार ह ॥ ५ ॥ खड्गमादाय तरसा प्रलीनोडुगणे निशि । अजानन्नच्छिनोद् बभ्रो: शिर: शार्दूलशङ्कया ॥ ६ ॥
ekāṁ jagrāha balavān sā cukrośa bhayāturā tasyās tu kranditaṁ śrutvā pṛṣadhro ’nusasāra ha
Harimau yang sangat kuat menerkam seekor sapi; sapi itu menjerit ketakutan. Mendengar jeritan itu, Pṛṣadhra segera mengejar. Karena bintang-bintang tertutup awan pada malam gelap, ia menghunus pedang dan, mengira sapi itu harimau, keliru menebas kepala sapi dengan keras.
FAQs
This verse shows immediate kṣatriya responsibility—on hearing a cow’s cry of fear, Pṛṣadhra rushes to protect her, illustrating dharma as active protection of the vulnerable.
Because he heard the cow’s terrified cry and, as a protector, responded instantly to stop the attack and rescue her.
Respond promptly when someone is in danger or distress—dharma is not passive; it is compassionate, timely action to protect others.