Shloka 18
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
न वयं क्लेशबीजानि यत: स्यु: पुरुषर्षभ । पुरुषं तं विजानीमो वाक्यभेदविमोहिता: ॥ १८ ॥
na vayaṁ kleśa-bījāni yataḥ syuḥ puruṣarṣabha puruṣaṁ taṁ vijānīmo vākya-bheda-vimohitāḥ
ឱ មនុស្សប្រសើរបំផុត! យើងមិនអាចកំណត់បានថា “គ្រាប់ពូជនៃទុក្ខ” របស់យើងកើតពីអ្នកណា ព្រោះយើងត្រូវបានបំភាន់ដោយពាក្យនិងទស្សនៈខុសៗគ្នារបស់ទស្សនវិទូ។
There are many theoretical philosophers in the world who put forward their own theories of cause and effect especially about the cause of suffering and its effect on different living beings. Generally there are six great philosophers: Kaṇāda, the author of Vaiśeṣika philosophy; Gautama, the author of logic; Patañjali, the author of mystic yoga; Kapila, the author of Sāṅkhya philosophy; Jaimini, the author of Karma-mīmāṁsā; and Vyāsadeva, the author of Vedānta-darśana.
FAQs
This verse calls suffering “kleśa-bījāni”—seed-like causes—implying that misery arises from underlying roots that may not be immediately visible, especially when people are confused by conflicting viewpoints.
In the narrative, Dharma (as a bull) and the cow (Earth) indicate that due to contradictory explanations and the confusing influence of Kali-yuga, it becomes difficult to pinpoint the true source behind their suffering.
The verse suggests humility and careful discernment: when “vākya-bheda” (conflicting voices) creates confusion, seek clarity through dharmic guidance, saintly counsel, and scripture-based understanding rather than reacting impulsively.