Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
स त्वं जिघांससे कस्माद्दीनामकृतकिल्बिषाम् । अहनिष्यत्कथं योषां धर्मज्ञ इति यो मत: ॥ १९ ॥
sa tvaṁ jighāṁsase kasmād dīnām akṛta-kilbiṣām ahaniṣyat kathaṁ yoṣāṁ dharma-jña iti yo mataḥ
ଗୋରୂପିଣୀ ପୃଥିବୀ ପୁଣି ଅନୁରୋଧ କଲା— “ମୁଁ ଦୀନା, ମୁଁ କୌଣସି ପାପ କରିନାହିଁ; ତଥାପି ଆପଣ ମୋତେ କାହିଁକି ହତ୍ୟା କରିବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଛନ୍ତି? ଆପଣ ଧର୍ମଜ୍ଞ ବୋଲି ମନାଯାନ୍ତି; ତେବେ ମୋ ପ୍ରତି ଈର୍ଷ୍ୟା କାହିଁକି, ଏବଂ ଜଣେ ନାରୀକୁ ମାରିବାକୁ ଏତେ ଉଦ୍ୟତ କାହିଁକି?”
The earth appealed to the King in two ways. A king who knows religious principles cannot kill anyone who has not committed sinful activities. Apart from this, a woman is not to be killed, even if she does commit some sinful activities. Since the earth was innocent and was also a woman, the King should not kill her.
FAQs
This verse condemns violence against the helpless and blameless, presenting protection of the innocent as a core requirement of dharma.
In the narrative, Pṛthu asserts rāja-dharma: even when punishing wrongdoing, a ruler must not commit irreligion—especially violence toward women and the defenseless.
Use power—authority, speech, or influence—only to protect and uplift; avoid targeting vulnerable people, and ensure justice is guided by ethics, not anger.