Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 35
Pṛthu Pursues the Earth and the Earth Takes the Form of a Cow
Bhūmi as Gauḥ
अपामुपस्थे मयि नाव्यवस्थिता: प्रजा भवानद्य रिरक्षिषु: किल । स वीरमूर्ति: समभूद्धराधरो यो मां पयस्युग्रशरो जिघांससि ॥ ३५ ॥
apām upasthe mayi nāvy avasthitāḥ prajā bhavān adya rirakṣiṣuḥ kila sa vīra-mūrtiḥ samabhūd dharā-dharo yo māṁ payasy ugra-śaro jighāṁsasi
Lạy Chúa tể, xưa kia Ngài đã cứu con khỏi nước và che chở muôn dân, nên danh Ngài lừng danh là Dharādhara, Đấng nâng giữ địa cầu. Nhưng nay Ngài hiện thân như dũng sĩ, định giết con bằng mũi tên sắc; còn con chỉ như chiếc thuyền trên nước, nâng đỡ để mọi thứ khỏi chìm.
The Lord is known as Dharādhara, meaning “He who keeps the planet earth on His tusks as the boar incarnation.” Thus the planet earth in the shape of a cow is accounting the contradictory acts of the Lord. Although He once saved the earth, He now wants to upset the earth, which is like a boat on water. No one can understand the activities of the Lord. Due to a poor fund of knowledge, human beings sometimes think the Lord’s activities contradictory.
FAQs
This verse highlights that a true ruler is one who “desires to protect the subjects” (rirakṣiṣuḥ prajāḥ), embodying heroism through responsibility rather than mere power.
Bhūmi-devī acknowledges Pṛthu as a protector of the citizens, yet questions his harsh approach—pointing out the contradiction of trying to protect the world while threatening the Earth herself.
Real leadership means protecting and sustaining others without aggression or exploitation—firmness should be guided by compassion and long-term welfare.