Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 8
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali: Dharma (Bull) and Bhūmi (Cow) at the Dawn of Kali-yuga
न जातु कौरवेन्द्राणां दोर्दण्डपरिरम्भिते । भूतलेऽनुपतन्त्यस्मिन् विना ते प्राणिनां शुच: ॥ ८ ॥
na jātu kauravendrāṇāṁ dordaṇḍa-parirambhite bhū-tale ’nupatanty asmin vinā te prāṇināṁ śucaḥ
在由俱卢王族诸王臂力所护持的国土上，从未因君王怠政而令众生落泪；今日我却首次见你泪盈于睫、悲恸不已。
The protection of the lives of both the human beings and the animals is the first and foremost duty of a government. A government must not discriminate in such principles. It is simply horrible for a purehearted soul to see organized animal killing by the state in this Age of Kali. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was lamenting for the tears in the eyes of the bull, and he was astonished to see such an unprecedented thing in his good kingdom. Men and animals were equally protected as far as life was concerned. That is the way in God’s kingdom.
FAQs
This verse says that when the earth is protected by the strong, dharmic rule of the Kuru kings, ordinary miseries do not overtake people; good governance rooted in dharma restrains societal suffering.
In the context of Kali being confronted, Śukadeva highlights how dharmic rulers historically kept disorder and widespread misery in check—contrasting that stability with Kali’s influence when protection declines.
Support and practice dharma—truthfulness, compassion, self-control, and responsible leadership—so that personal and social life becomes “protected,” reducing avoidable distress and chaos.