Shloka 21
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
सूत उवाच एवं धर्मे प्रवदति स सम्राड् द्विजसत्तमा: । समाहितेन मनसा विखेद: पर्यचष्ट तम् ॥ २१ ॥
sūta uvāca evaṁ dharme pravadati sa samrāḍ dvija-sattamāḥ samāhitena manasā vikhedaḥ paryacaṣṭa tam
Sūta berkata: Wahai yang terbaik di antara para brāhmaṇa, ketika Dharma berbicara demikian, Kaisar Parīkṣit menjadi tenang dan puas sepenuhnya, lalu tanpa penyesalan ia menjawabnya.
The statement of the bull, the personality of religion, was full of philosophy and knowledge, and the King was satisfied, since he could understand that the suffering bull was not an ordinary one. Unless one is perfectly conversant with the law of the Supreme Lord, one cannot speak such things touching philosophical truths. The Emperor, being also on an equal level of sagacity, replied to the point, without doubts or mistakes.
FAQs
This verse highlights that King Parīkṣit answered Dharma with a composed mind and without distress, showing that righteous action should be guided by steadiness and clarity rather than agitation.
Because the episode concerns protecting Dharma in the face of Kali-yuga corruption; Parīkṣit’s calm response models ideal leadership—decisive, yet free from personal anger or dejection.
When confronting wrongdoing, respond thoughtfully and steadily—seek truth, act fairly, and avoid being driven by emotional turmoil.