Shloka 30
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
पतितं पादयोर्वीर: कृपया दीनवत्सल: । शरण्यो नावधीच्छ्लोक्य आह चेदं हसन्निव ॥ ३० ॥
patitaṁ pādayor vīraḥ kṛpayā dīna-vatsalaḥ śaraṇyo nāvadhīc chlokya āha cedaṁ hasann iva
Melihat Kali tersungkur di kaki baginda, Mahārāja Parīkṣit—pelindung orang yang berserah dan termasyhur dalam pujian—tidak membunuhnya; dengan belas kasihan baginda seakan tersenyum lalu berkata demikian.
Even an ordinary kṣatriya does not kill a surrendered person, and what to speak of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was by nature compassionate and kind to the poor. He was smiling because the artificially dressed Kali had disclosed his identity as a lower-class man, and he was thinking how ironic it was that although no one was saved from his sharp sword when he desired to kill, the poor lower-class Kali was spared by his timely surrender. Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s glory and kindness are therefore sung in history. He was a kind and compassionate emperor, fully worthy of accepting surrender even from his enemy. Thus the personality of Kali was saved by the will of providence.
FAQs
Because Kali surrendered at his feet, and Parīkṣit—being śaraṇya (a protector of those who seek shelter) and dīna-vatsala (merciful to the distressed)—restrained his anger and chose to speak rather than kill.
It shows that true dharma includes compassion and self-control: even when confronting adharma, a righteous leader protects those who surrender and responds with measured justice, not impulsive violence.
When someone genuinely seeks forgiveness or help, respond with firmness and boundaries, but without cruelty—acting from principle and compassion rather than revenge.