Canto
1
Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
(1) Sûta said: "There [at the Sarasvatî river] the king observed how a s'ûdra who was dressed like a king was beating a cow and a bull with a club, as if there was no one to protect them. (2) The bull, that was as white as a lotus, terrified of being beaten by the s'ûdra urinated and trembled out of fear, standing on one leg only. (3) The cow also, on itself a religious example but now rendered poor and distressed because of the s'ûdra who beated her legs, was without a calf and had tears in her eyes while she in her weakness hankered for some grass to eat. (4) From his with gold embossed chariot Parîkchit, well equipped with bow and arrows, asked with a thundering voice: (5) 'Who are you to think that you in this place can violently kill the helpless who fall under my protection! As an actor you make a powerful appearance dressed up like a God-conscious man, but you behave like someone who never saw the light of civilization [of being twice-born]. (6) Do you think that because Lord Krishna and the carrier of the bow the Gândîva [Arjuna] have disappeared from the scene, you can secretly beat an innocent cow? Being a culprit that way you deserve it to be killed!'
(7) 'And you', he said turning to the bull, 'are you just a bull that, as white as a lotus, moves on one leg and has lost three legs or are you some demigod who in the form of a bull makes us sad? (8) Except for the case of you having tears in your eyes because of someone else, under the protection [of the arms] of any of the kings of the Kuru dynasty there has never been such grievance on earth. (9) O son of Surabhi [the celestial cow], in my kingdom there will be no lamentation and therefore do not fear the s'ûdra, and dear mother cow, do not cry. As long as I am alive as the ruler and subduer of the envious you will fare well! (10-11) O chaste one, he in whose state the living beings are terrified because of miscreants, will lose his fame, longevity, fortune and good birth. It is certainly the supreme duty of the kings to subdue in order to put an end to the misery of the ones who suffer and therefore I shall kill this most wretched man who is so violent with other living beings. (12) Who is the one who has cut your three legs, o son of Surabhi? What happened to you has never happened before in this royal state of kings who live in respect of Lord Krishna. (13) O bull, you are honest and without offenses, tell me therefore about him who mutilated you and tarnished the reputation of the sons of Prithâ. (14) Those who make the sinless suffer may fear me wherever they are, for I will curb the actions of the miscreants and restore the wellfare of the ones who are honest. (15) The upstart who offends innocent living beings I shall forthwith defeat, whether he's a demigod from heaven with armor and decorations or not. (16) It is certainly the holy duty of the head of state to always protect the ones who faithfully perform their duty and, safely according the scriptures, chastise those in this world who have strayed from the path.'
(17) The personality of religion said: 'All you said speaking for the sake of the freedom from anxiety of those who are suffering is befitting for someone of the Pândava dynasty, the dynasty of which the qualities led Lord Krishna to behave like a servant and such. (18) O greatest among the human beings, because the person is bewildered as a consequence of all the differences of opinion, we cannot tell who [or what] would be the cause of all human suffering. (19) Some declare in defiance of all duality that one suffers because of one's own actions, others speak of supernatural causes, while still others say that it is all due to the operation of material nature or the consequence of accepting outside authorities. (20) Some also conclude that it is a matter which defies explanation and comprehension. Who of them would be right in this matter o sage amongst the kings, is left to your own power of judgement.' "
(21) Sûta said: "Parîkchit, who attentively had followed what the personality of religion had to say, o best among the brahmins, mindfully replied. (22) 'You o knower of the duties, o dharma in the form of a bull, speak this way [of the unknown cause] only because you know that [just as it is with a guru who pointing out the karma takes the karma upon him] he who points out the wrongdoer ends up in the position of doing wrong himself. (23) In other words: the Lord His ways with the material world can not be put in words nor be conceived by living beings. (24) Penance, cleanliness, compassion and truthfulness [tapas, s'auca, dayâ, satya] are the legs that established the age of truth [Satya-yuga, the 'old days'], but because of irreligiosity three of them have broken in conceit, clinging to intercourse and intoxication. (25) At present, o personality of religion, you are hobbling along on the one leg of truthfulness while quarrel personified [Kali] who flourishes on deceit, irreligiously tries to destroy that leg too. (26) Through the actions of the Supreme Lord personally mother earth has been relieved of a great burden. His all-auspicious footprints brought good fortune everywhere. (27) Lamenting with tears in her eyes the unfortunate and chaste one [mother earth] who was deserted by Him is now enjoyed by lower-class people who, devoid of the culture of learning, pose as rulers in my place.'
(28) Thus the personalities of religion and mother earth were pacified by the great warrior who took up his sharp sword in order to kill Kali, the root cause of irreligion. (29) Realizing that the king wanted to kill him, Kali, stressed from the fear, abandoned his royal atire and in full surrender bowed his head down at the feet. (30) Out of compassion he who is kind to the poor and capable of handling worship with a smile refrained from killing the one who had fallen at the feet of the hero that he was, he, the hero of whom one says that he is worthy of being glorified. (31) The king said: 'Do not fear, for you have surrendered yourself with folded hands. We certainly inherited the fame of Arjuna, but that doesn't mean that you can be allowed to stay in my kingdom. You are a friend of irreligion after all. (32) With you physically present as a god of man, everywhere the irreligion of greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity and all of that will be abound in the masses. (33) For that reason, o friend of irreligion, you do not deserve it to remain in the vicinity of those places where the experts of religion and the truth duly and expertly are of worship with sacrifices for the Lord of Sacrifices. (34) In such sacrificial ceremonies the Supreme Personality of God, the Lord, is worshiped as the Soul of all worshipable deities. In that form He spreads welfare, for He is the to all desires inviolable Supersoul who is present inside as well as outside, just like the air is for all that moves and not moves.' "
(35) Sûta said: "That way being addressed by king Parîkchit, the personality of Kali seeing him ready with a raised sword speaking like Yamarâja, the Lord of Death, trembled. (36) Kali said: 'Wherever I may live under your order, o Emperor, I will always have to face the reign of your bow and arrows. (37) Therefore please, o chief of the protectors of the religion, allot me a place where I may count on a permanent stay under your rule.' "
(38) Sûta said: "Thus being petitioned, he gave Kali the permission to dwell in places where the four sinful activities of gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter [dyûtam, pânam, striyah, sûnâ] were taking place. (39) Next to that the master, upon his insistent begging, alotted him the place where there is gold, for gold by passion is the fifth sin bringing falsity, intoxication, lust and enmity. (40) Thus under the direction of the son of Uttarâ were the five dwelling places given to Kali where indeed irreligion is encouraged. (41) For that reason a person desiring his well-being should never resort to any of these places, especially not those persons who follow the path of liberation, the royalty, the state officials and the teachers. (42) By encouraging activities that restored the bull's three lost legs of austerity, cleanliness and compassion, the earth [by King Parîkchit] was perfectly improved. (43-44) The present rule we have of him; the throne that was handed over by the king, grandfather [Yudhishthhira] when he wished to withdraw into the forest. From that rule that sage among the kings and chief of the Kuru dynasty is now known in Hastinâpura as the most fortunate and famous emperor. (45) Because of this experience of the son of Abhimanyu the king, thanks to his rule over the earth, you may all now have the initiation of the performance of sacrifices like this one."
Third revised edition, loaded February 11, 2010.
Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:Sûta said: "There [at the Sarasvatî river] the king observed how a s'ûdra who was dressed like a king was beating a cow and a bull with a club, as if there was no one to protect them.Sûta said: "It was there [at the Sarasvatî river] that the king observed that a cow and bull were beaten with a club as if they had no owner, by a s'ûdra [one of the lowest class] dressed up as a king. (Vedabase)
The bull, that was as white as a lotus, terrified of being beaten by the s'ûdra urinated and trembled out of fear, standing on one leg only.
The bull, that was as white as a lotus, was terrified of being beaten by the s'ûdra and urinated and trembled out of fear, standing on one leg only. (Vedabase)
The cow also, on itself a religious example but now rendered poor and distressed because of the s'ûdra who beated her legs, was without a calf and had tears in her eyes while she in her weakness hankered for some grass to eat.
The cow also, on itself a religious example but now rendered poor and distressed from the s'ûdra who had beaten her legs, was without a calf and had tears in her eyes being very weak hankering after some grass to eat. (Vedabase)
From his with gold embossed chariot Parîkchit, well equipped with bow and arrows, asked with a thundering voice:
From his with gold embossed chariot Parîkchit, well equipped with bow and arrows, with a thundering voice inquired: (Vedabase)
'Who are you to think that you in this place can violently kill the helpless who fall under my protection! As an actor you make a powerful appearance dressed up like a God-conscious man, but you behave like someone who never saw the light of civilization [of being twice-born].
'Who are you, that under my protection, at this place, you think you can violently kill the helpless! Although you appear to be of strength having dressed up like a man of God as if you are an actor, you behave like someone who never saw the light of culture [to be twice born]. (Vedabase)
Do you think that because Lord Krishna and the carrier of the bow the Gândîva [Arjuna] have disappeared from the scene, you can secretly beat an innocent cow? Being a culprit that way you deserve it to be killed!'
Do you think that because Lord Krishna and the carrier of the bow the Gândiva [Arjuna] are out of sight, you can secretly beat an innocent cow? Being a culprit that way you deserve to be killed!' (Vedabase)
'And you', he said turning to the bull, 'are you just a bull that, as white as a lotus, moves on one leg and has lost three legs or are you some demigod who in the form of a bull makes us sad?
'And you', he said turning to the bull,'are you just a bull as white as a lotus moving on one leg that has lost three legs or are you some demigod in the form of a bull causing us grief? (Vedabase)
Except for the case of you having tears in your eyes because of someone else, under the protection [of the arms] of any of the kings of the Kuru dynasty there has never been such grievance on earth.
Never under the protection of the arms of any of the kings of the Kuru dynasty there has been grieving on this earth, except with for you having tears in your eyes because of someone else. (Vedabase)
O son of Surabhi [the celestial cow], in my kingdom there will be no lamentation and therefore do not fear the s'ûdra, and dear mother cow, do not cry. As long as I am alive as the ruler and subduer of the envious you will fare well!
O son of Surabhi [the celestial cow], in my kingdom there will be no lamentation, so do not fear the s'ûdra, and mother cow, do not cry; as long as I am alive as the ruler and subduer of the envious, everything will be good for you. (Vedabase)
O chaste one, he in whose state the living beings are terrified because of miscreants, will lose his fame, longevity, fortune and good birth. It is certainly the supreme duty of the kings to subdue in order to put an end to the misery of the ones who suffer and therefore I shall kill this most wretched man who is so violent with other living beings.
O chaste one, he will lose his fame, longevity, fortune and a good birth, in whose state the living beings are terrified by miscreants. It is certainly the supreme duty of the kings to subdue in order to end the misery of the ones who suffer and therefore I shall kill this most wretched man so violent against other living beings. (Vedabase)
Who is the one who has cut your three legs, o son of Surabhi? What happened to you has never happened before in this royal state of kings who live in respect of Lord Krishna.
Who is he who could cut off your legs, o son of Surabhi - as it happened with you it has never happened before in the state of the kings that live following Lord Krishna. (Vedabase)
O bull, you are honest and without offenses, tell me therefore about him who mutilated you and tarnished the reputation of the sons of Prithâ.
Just tell me, o bull, for you are honest and without offenses, about him who mutilated you and tarnished the reputation of the sons of Parthâ. (Vedabase)
Those who make the sinless suffer may fear me wherever they are, for I will curb the actions of the miscreants and restore the wellfare of the ones who are honest.
Those who make the offenseless suffer may fear me wherever they are, as I will curb the actions of the miscreants and restore the good fortune of the honest ones. (Vedabase)
The upstart who offends innocent living beings I shall forthwith defeat, whether he's a demigod from heaven with armor and decorations or not.
The upstart who offends innocent living beings, I shall forthwith defeat, whether he's a demigod from heaven with armor and decorations or not. (Vedabase)
It is certainly the holy duty of the head of state to always protect the ones who faithfully perform their duty and, safely according the scriptures, chastise those in this world who have strayed from the path.'
It is certainly the holy duty of the head of state to always protect the ones who live in loyalty and rule safely according to the scriptures over others who are in fact straying. (Vedabase)
The personality of religion said: 'All you said speaking for the sake of the freedom from anxiety of those who are suffering is befitting for someone of the Pândava dynasty, the dynasty of which the qualities led Lord Krishna to behave like a servant and such.
The personality of religion said: 'All you said speaking for the freedom from anxiety of the sufferers just befits one of the Pândava dynasty by whose qualities even Lord Krishna acted as a servant. (Vedabase)
O greatest among the human beings, because the person is bewildered as a consequence of all the differences of opinion, we cannot tell who [or what] would be the cause of all human suffering.
O greatest among the human beings, from the bewilderment of the person by all the differences of opinion, we cannot tell what would be the cause of all human suffering. (Vedabase)
Some declare in defiance of all duality that one suffers because of one's own actions, others speak of supernatural causes, while still others say that it is all due to the operation of material nature or the consequence of accepting outside authorities.
Some who deny all kinds of duality declare that it is from one self that one suffers, others say that it is from the superhuman, while still others say that it is all due to the activities of material nature or of adopting outside authorities. (Vedabase)
Some also conclude that it is a matter which defies explanation and comprehension. Who of them would be right in this matter o sage amongst the kings, is left to your own power of judgement.' "
It is beyond the power of reasoning and thinking to tell which of them is right, some for sure concluded about this, o sage amongst the kings; the judgment is left to your own intelligence'." (Vedabase)
Sûta said: "Parîkchit, who attentively had followed what the personality of religion had to say, o best among the brahmins, mindfully replied.
Sûta said: "Parîkchit, who attentively heard the personality of religion thus speak, o best among the brahmins, mindfully replied. (Vedabase)
'You o knower of the duties, o dharma in the form of a bull, speak this way [of the unknown cause] only because you know that [just as it is with a guru who pointing out the karma takes the karma upon him] he who points out the wrongdoer ends up in the position of doing wrong himself.
The king said: 'To the religion you say, being the personality of the principles in the disguise of a bull, that whatever those who act against the religion do also becomes identified with the place of the one who lays his finger on it. (Vedabase)In other words: the Lord His ways with the material world can not be put in words nor be conceived by living beings.
In other words: the Lord His ways with the material world are inconceivable and to all it is clear that nor thinking nor speaking is of avail. (Vedabase)
Penance, cleanliness, compassion and truthfulness [tapas, s'auca, dayâ, satya] are the legs that established the age of truth [Satya-yuga, the 'old days'], but because of irreligiosity three of them have broken in conceit, clinging to intercourse and intoxication.
Austerity, cleanliness, compassion and thruthfullness [tapas, s'auca, dayâ, sathya] are the legs that established the age of truth [Sathya Yuga, the'old days'], but from irreligiosity three of them broke in pride, too much association with women and intoxication. (Vedabase)
At present, o personality of religion, you are hobbling along on the one leg of truthfulness while quarrel personified [Kali] who flourishes on deceit, irreligiously tries to destroy that leg too.
At present, o personality of religion, you are hobbling along on the one leg of truthfulness while quarrel personified [Kali], flourishing on deceit, irreligiously tries to destroy that leg too. (Vedabase)
Through the actions of the Supreme Lord personally mother earth has been relieved of a great burden. His all-auspicious footprints brought good fortune everywhere.
A great burden was taken from the face of the earth by the Supreme Lord personally and others also - His all-auspicious footprints brought good fortune everywhere. (Vedabase)
Lamenting with tears in her eyes the unfortunate and chaste one [mother earth] who was deserted by Him is now enjoyed by lower-class people who, devoid of the culture of learning, pose as rulers in my place.'
Lamenting with tears in her eyes, the unfortunate and chaste one deserted by Him, is now enjoyed by the lower-class devoid of the culture of learning who pose themself as rulers in my place. (Vedabase)
Thus the personalities of religion and mother earth were pacified by the great warrior who took up his sharp sword in order to kill Kali, the root cause of irreligion.
Thus the personalities of religion and mother earth were pacified by the great warrior, who took up his sharp sword in order to kill Kali, the root cause of irreligion. (Vedabase)
Realizing that the king wanted to kill him, Kali, stressed from the fear, abandoned his royal atire and in full surrender bowed his head down at the feet.
Knowing that the king prepared to kill him, Kali, under the pressure of fear, abandoned the royal dress and fully surrendered himself bowing his head at the feet. (Vedabase)
Out of compassion he who is kind to the poor and capable of handling worship with a smile refrained from killing the one who had fallen at the feet of the hero that he was, he, the hero of whom one says that he is worthy of being glorified.
Out of compassion, he who is kind to the poor and capable of handling worship, with a smile refrained from killing the one fallen at the feet of the hero of whom it is said that he is worthy of being sung to. (Vedabase)
The king said: 'Do not fear, for you have surrendered yourself with folded hands. We certainly inherited the fame of Arjuna, but that doesn't mean that you can be allowed to stay in my kingdom. You are a friend of irreligion after all.
The king said: 'Do not fear as you surrendered with folded hands; we certainly inherited the fame of Arjuna, but there can be no question either of being allowed to stay in my kingdom as you are the friend of irreligion. (Vedabase)
With you physically present as a god of man, everywhere the irreligion of greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity and all of that will be abound in the masses.
With you present in the body as a god of men, everywhere all the irreligion of greed, falsehood, robbery, incivility, treachery, misfortune, cheating, quarrel and vanity will be abound in the masses. (Vedabase)
For that reason, o friend of irreligion, you do not deserve it to remain in the vicinity of those places where the experts of religion and the truth duly and expertly are of worship with sacrifices for the Lord of Sacrifices.
Therefore, o friend of irreligion, you do not deserve to remain with the religion and truth in a place of sacrifice where one duly and expertly is offering in service to the Lord of Sacrifices. (Vedabase)
In such sacrificial ceremonies the Supreme Personality of God, the Lord, is worshiped as the Soul of all worshipable deities. In that form He spreads welfare, for He is the to all desires inviolable Supersoul who is present inside as well as outside, just like the air is for all that moves and not moves.' "
In such sacrificial ceremonies the Supreme Personality of God, the Lord, is being worshiped as the soul of all worshipable deities, in the form of which he spreads welfare as He is the inviolable Supersoul to all desires being inside as well as outside like the air is to all the moving and unmoving.' (Vedabase)
Sûta said: "That way being addressed by king Parîkchit, the personality of Kali seeing him ready with a raised sword speaking like Yamarâja, the Lord of Death, trembled.
Sûta said: "That way being addressed by king Parîkchit, the personality of Kali was trembling seeing him ready with a raised sword speaking like Yamarâja, the Lord of Death. (Vedabase)
Kali said: 'Werever I may live under your order, o Emperor, I will always have to face the reign of your bow and arrows.
Kali said: 'Wherever that I may live under your Order, o Emperor, I will always see the reign of your bow and arrows also. (Vedabase)
Therefore please, o chief of the protectors of the religion, allot me a place where I may count on a permanent stay under your rule.' "
Therefore please, o chief of the protectors of the religion, allot me a place where for certain I can find a permanent residence under your rule'." (Vedabase)
Sûta said: "Thus being petitioned, he gave Kali the permission to dwell in places where the four sinful activities of gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter [dyûtam, pânam, striyah, sûnâ] were taking place.
Sûta said: "Thus being petitioned, at that time he gave Kali the permission to dwell in places where the four sinful activities of gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter [dyûtam, pânam, striyah, sûnâ] were taking place. (Vedabase)
Next to that the master, upon his insistent begging, alotted him the place where there is gold, for gold by passion is the fifth sin bringing falsity, intoxication, lust and enmity.
Next to that the master gave him, upon his insistent begging, the place where there is gold as gold by passion is the fifth sin bringing falsity, intoxication, lust and enmity. (Vedabase)
Thus under the direction of the son of Uttarâ were the five dwelling places given to Kali where indeed irreligion is encouraged.
Those five places, where surely irreligion is encouraged, were thus by the son of Uttarâ given as the dwelling places under his direction. (Vedabase)
For that reason a person desiring his well-being should never resort to any of these places, especially not those persons who follow the path of liberation, the royalty, the state officials and the teachers.
Therefore all who seek well-being should never contact all this, specifically not those on the path of liberation, the royalty, the state officials and the teachers. (Vedabase)
By encouraging activities that restored the bull's three lost legs of austerity, cleanliness and compassion, the earth [by King Parîkchit] was perfectly improved.
By encouraging activities he thus perfectly improved the earth by reestablishing the bull its three lost legs of austerity, cleanliness and mercy. (Vedabase)
The present rule we have of him; the throne that was handed over by the king, grandfather [Yudhishthhira] when he wished to withdraw into the forest. From that rule that sage among the kings and chief of the Kuru dynasty is now known in Hastinâpura as the most fortunate and famous emperor.
Of him is the present rule; the throne that was handed over by the grandfather king [Yudhishthhira] who desired to withdraw in the forest. From that rule, that sage among the kings and chief of the Kuru-dynasty, is now known in Hastinapura as the most fortunate and famous emperor. (Vedabase)
Because of this experience of the son of Abhimanyu the king, thanks to his rule over the earth, you may all now have the initiation of the performance of sacrifices like this one."
Because of this experience of the son of Abhimanyu, the king; thanks to his rule over the earth, you can all have the initiation of the performing of sacrifices like this." (Vedabase)
The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0
Unported License.
The painting indicating Parîkchit controlling Kali is of William
Blake.
It is titled: "The Rout of the Rebel Angels".
Illustrations to Milton's "Paradise Lost", The Thomas Set, object
7.
Source: William
Blake Archive.
Production:
Filognostic Association
of
The Order of Time
Feed-back | Links | Downloads | Music | Pictures | What's New | Search | Donations
Text
1