SB 1.16.10 (1965)

SB (1965) Sixteenth Chapter - How Parikshit Received the Age of Kali

SB 1.16.9 (1965) - SB 1.16.11 (1965)

Compare Versions: SB 1965 with SB 1972-77

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT No. 10

Suta uvacha: Yada parikshit kurujangale vasan Kalim prabistam nijachakravartite. Nisamya vartam anatipriam tatah Sarasanam samyuga soundiradade.

ENGLISH SYNONYMS

Suta uvacha—Suta Goswani said, Yada—when, Parikshit—Maharaj Parikshit, Kurujangale—in the capital of Kuru's empire, Vasan—was residing, Kalim—the symptoms of the age of Kali, Prabstam—entered into, Nijachakravarite—within his jurisdiction, Nisamya—thus hearing, Vartam—news, Anatipriam—not very palatable, Tatah—thereafter, Sarasanam—arrows and bow, Samyuge—having got a chance for, Soundir—marshal activities, Adade—took up.

TRANSLATION

Sri Suta Goswami continued that while Maharaj Parikshit was residing in the capital of the Kuru empire the symptoms of the age of Kali began to infiltrate within the jurisdiction of his state and when he learnt about it he did not take the matter as very much palatable. He, however, having got a chance for fighting prepared himself for military activities and took up his arrows and bow.

PURPORT

The state administration of Maharaj Parikshit was so perfect that he was sitting in his capital peacefully. But he got news that the symptoms of the age of Kali has had already infiltrated into the jurisdiction of his state and he did not like the news as palatable. What are the symptoms of the age of Kali ? They are 1. illicit connection with woman, 2. indulgence in meat-eating, 3. encouraging intoxicating habit and 4. taking pleasure in sporting and gambling excursions. The age of Kali literally means the age of quarrel and the above mentioned four symptoms in the human society are the root causes for all kinds of quarrel. Parikshit Maharaj heard it that some of the people of the state have already had taken to those symptoms and he wanted to take immediate steps against such causes of unrest. It means at least up to the regime of Maharaj Parikshit such symptoms of public life was practically unknown and as soon as they were slightly in vogue he wanted to fight out the symptoms forthwith. The news was not palatable for him but it was palatable also because Maharaj Parikshit got a chance for fighting on such occasion. There was no need for fighting with the small states because everyone was peacefully under his subordination but the miscreants of the above symptoms gave his fighting spirit a chance for exhibition. A perfect Kshatriya king is always jubilant as soon as he gets chance for fighting as much as a sportsman is encouraged when there is a chance for sporting match. It is no argument that in the age of Kali such symptoms of the social animals were predestined and then why there was preparation for fighting out such symptoms? Such argument is offered by the lazy and unfortunate man. In the rainy season rain is predestined and yet people take precautions to protect themselves from not being moistened by such rain. Similarly in the age of Kali the symptoms as above mentioned are sure to infiltrate in the social life but it is the duty of the state to save the citizens from the association of the agents of the age of Kali. Parikshit Maharaj wanted to punish the miscreants indulging in the above symptoms of Kali and thus save the innocent citizens who were pure in habit by culture of religion and social usages. It is the duty of the king to give such protection and Maharaj Parikshit was perfectly right when he prepared himself to give a fight.

(Compare SB 1.16.10 Current Edition)

SB 1.16.9 (1965) - SB 1.16.11 (1965)