Shloka 3
Parīkṣit’s Vow on the Gaṅgā and the Advent of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
अद्यैव राज्यं बलमृद्धकोशं प्रकोपितब्रह्मकुलानलो मे । दहत्वभद्रस्य पुनर्न मेऽभूत् पापीयसी धीर्द्विजदेवगोभ्य: ॥ ३ ॥
adyaiva rājyaṁ balam ṛddha-kośaṁ prakopita-brahma-kulānalo me dahatv abhadrasya punar na me ’bhūt pāpīyasī dhīr dvija-deva-gobhyaḥ
బ్రాహ్మణ సంస్కృతి, దైవ చింతన మరియు గోసంరక్షణ పట్ల నిర్లక్ష్యం వహించడం వల్ల నేను పాపాత్ముడనయ్యాను. అందువల్ల, బ్రాహ్మణుని కోపాగ్ని నా రాజ్యాన్ని, బలాన్ని మరియు సంపదను తక్షణమే దహించివేయుగాక, తద్వారా భవిష్యత్తులో నాకు ఇటువంటి అశుభకరమైన బుద్ధి కలగదు.
Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God consciousness and protection of cows. All economic development of the state by trade, commerce, agriculture and industries must be fully utilized in relation to the above principles, otherwise all so-called economic development becomes a source of degradation. Cow protection means feeding the brahminical culture, which leads towards God consciousness, and thus perfection of human civilization is achieved. The Age of Kali aims at killing the higher principles of life, and although Mahārāja Parīkṣit strongly resisted the domination of the personality of Kali within the world, the influence of the Age of Kali came at an opportune moment, and even a strong king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit was induced to disregard the brahminical culture due to a slight provocation of hunger and thirst. Mahārāja Parīkṣit lamented the accidental incident, and he desired that all his kingdom, strength and accumulation of wealth would be burned up for not being engaged in brahminical culture, etc.
FAQs
This verse shows that an offense to the brāhmaṇa community is compared to a consuming fire that can destroy one’s power, kingdom, and prosperity, and it calls for immediate repentance and reform.
After realizing his wrongdoing toward a brāhmaṇa, Parīkṣit accepts the reaction as purifying and prefers swift rectification over continuing life with a sinful mentality toward brāhmaṇas, devas, and cows.
Own mistakes quickly, accept corrective consequences without resentment, and consciously cultivate respect for saintly persons, sacred traditions, and nonviolence—especially protection of the vulnerable.