Shloka 27
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
शोचत्यश्रुकला साध्वी दुर्भगेवोज्झिता सती । अब्रह्मण्या नृपव्याजा: शूद्रा भोक्ष्यन्ति मामिति ॥ २७ ॥
śocaty aśru-kalā sādhvī durbhagevojjhitā satī abrahmaṇyā nṛpa-vyājāḥ śūdrā bhokṣyanti mām iti
ಈಗ ಆ ಸಾಧ್ವೀ ಭೂಮಿ, ದುರ್ಭಾಗ್ಯವಶಾತ್ ಭಗವಂತನಿಂದ ತ್ಯಜಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಂತೆ, ಕಣ್ಣೀರಿನಿಂದ ಶೋಕಿಸುತ್ತಾಳೆ—‘ಇನ್ನು ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ್ಯಧರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ವಿರೋಧಿಗಳಾದ, ರಾಜರ ವೇಷಧಾರಿಗಳಾದ ಶೂದ್ರಸ್ವಭಾವದವರು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಭೋಗಿಸಿ ಆಳುವರು’ ಎಂದು।
The kṣatriya, or the man who is qualified to protect the sufferers, is meant to rule the state. Untrained lower-class men, or men without ambition to protect the sufferers, cannot be placed on the seat of an administrator. Unfortunately, in the Age of Kali the lower-class men, without training, occupy the post of a ruler by strength of popular votes, and instead of protecting the sufferers, such men create a situation quite intolerable for everyone. Such rulers illegally gratify themselves at the cost of all comforts of the citizens, and thus the chaste mother earth cries to see the pitiable condition of her sons, both men and animals. That is the future of the world in the Age of Kali, when irreligiosity prevails most prominently. And in the absence of a suitable king to curb irreligious tendencies, educating the people systematically in the teaching of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam will clear up the hazy atmosphere of corruption, bribery, blackmail, etc.
FAQs
This verse says the Earth laments that in Kali-yuga there will be “kings only in name,” hostile to brāhmaṇical culture, and that unqualified rulers will exploit the land—signs of dharma’s decline.
The comparison conveys how dharma and protection are withdrawn in Kali-yuga: the Earth, once cared for by righteous kings, feels forsaken and therefore weeps in distress.
Support genuine brāhmaṇical values—truthfulness, self-control, compassion, and spiritual education—and practice bhakti (hearing and chanting) so society and personal life stay anchored in dharma despite corrupt leadership.