Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 8
Śrāddhadeva Manu’s Sons: Pṛṣadhra’s Curse and Renunciation; Genealogies of Nariṣyanta and Diṣṭa
मन्यमानो हतं व्याघ्रं पृषध्र: परवीरहा । अद्राक्षीत् स्वहतां बभ्रुं व्युष्टायां निशि दु:खित: ॥ ८ ॥
manyamāno hataṁ vyāghraṁ pṛṣadhraḥ para-vīra-hā adrākṣīt sva-hatāṁ babhruṁ vyuṣṭāyāṁ niśi duḥkhitaḥ
Mengira pada malam hari bahwa ia telah membunuh harimau, Pṛṣadhra—penakluk para musuh—pada pagi hari melihat bahwa yang terbunuh oleh tangannya justru sapi itu. Ia pun sangat berduka.
FAQs
This verse shows that even an unintended act—here, mistaking a cow for a tiger—can bring severe remorse and consequences, emphasizing carefulness and accountability in dharma.
Pṛṣadhra is a king described in Canto 9; during a night incident he believed he killed a tiger, but at dawn realized he had killed his guru’s cow, becoming grief-stricken.
Act with vigilance, verify before acting in haste, and when mistakes occur—especially those affecting dependents or sacred responsibilities—accept responsibility and seek rectification.