Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 16
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
सा दिशो विदिशो देवी रोदसी चान्तरं तयो: । धावन्ती तत्र तत्रैनं ददर्शानूद्यतायुधम् ॥ १६ ॥
sā diśo vidiśo devī rodasī cāntaraṁ tayoḥ dhāvantī tatra tatrainaṁ dadarśānūdyatāyudham
ಗೋರೂಪಿಣೀ ದೇವಿ ಭೂಮಿ ದಿಕ್ಕು-ವಿದಿಕ್ಕುಗಳಲ್ಲೂ, ಸ್ವರ್ಗಲೋಕಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಭೂಮಿಯ ನಡುವಿನ ಅಂತರಿಕ್ಷದಲ್ಲೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿ-ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಾಡಿದಳು; ಅವಳು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಿದಳೋ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜನು ಧನುಸ್ಸು-ಬಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡು ಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡಳು।
FAQs
Because the Earth had been withholding nourishment (resources like grains and prosperity) from the citizens; fearing punishment from the righteous king Pṛthu, she fled in all directions to avoid his raised weapons.
It teaches that a true king must actively protect citizens and restore dharma and prosperity—even confronting powerful forces—while ultimately ensuring order and welfare for all.
Do not evade responsibility when your actions harm others; and when you hold authority, use it firmly yet righteously to correct imbalance and protect the well-being of those dependent on you.