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
பசு-வடிவத் தேவியான பூமி திசை-விதிசைகளிலும், விண்ணுலகங்களுக்கும் பூமிக்கும் இடையிலான வெளிவெளியிலும் இங்கே அங்கே ஓடினாள்; அவள் எங்கே எங்கே ஓடினாளோ அங்கே அங்கே வில்-அம்புகளுடன் அரசன் துரத்துவதை அவள் கண்டாள்।
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.