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
பசு-வடிவப் பூமி மீண்டும் வேண்டினாள்— “நான் ஏழை; எந்தப் பாவமும் செய்யவில்லை. அப்படியிருக்க நீங்கள் என்னை ஏன் கொல்ல விரும்புகிறீர்கள்? நீங்கள் தர்மத்தை அறிந்தவர் என்று கருதப்படுகிறீர்கள்; என்மீது பொறாமை ஏன், ஒரு பெண்ணைக் கொல்ல இத்தனை ஆவல் ஏன்?”
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.