Chapter 16
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali
Mahäräja Parékñit as an ideal ruler punishes kali (Texts 1-4)
1) Mahäräja Parékñit ruled as an ideal king with an ideal welfare state – He ruled over the
world, with all the predicted great qualities, being a great devotee, and under the instructions
of best of twice-born brähmaëas (3 important facts are underlined)
• Mahäräja Parékñit as a devotee of the first order and a first class king
o As a first class devotee – He was not only well-versed in science of devotion,
but also able to convert others to become devotees by his transcendental
instructions
o As a first class king – Such kings were more responsible than modern elected
executive head. Because they obliged great authorities (learned brähmaëas) by
following their instructions based on çästras
• Qualifications of these advisors of the kings(Important points are underlined)
o These advisors were great sages or brähmaëas of first order
They were philosophers in real sense, and knew the mission of life on
how to be happy in this life and next
They were all self realized souls, not concerned with hedonistic
philosophy of eat, drink, be merry and enjoy
They were sama-darçé (equal to man and animals)
o Rules and regulations, and enactments based on these liberated souls were
suitable for all ages and all places (No need of enacting a new legislative bill
everyday) – Such rules were standard and without flaw or defect
o They did not accept any salary
2) Mahäräja Parékñit married to his maternal cousin-sister Irävaté – He begot 4 sons headed
by Mahäräja Janamejaya
• Marriage between cousins is allowed, if they do not belong to the same gotra
• Study the story of Mahäräja Janamejaya
3) Mahäräja Parékñit performed three horse sacrifices on bank of Ganges
3a. Under the guidance – Sacrifices were performed under the guidance of spiritual master,
Kåpäcärya
• Shelter of a bonafide spiritual master is must, even for a great king like Mahäräja
Parékñit
3b. Demigods seen – Even a common man could see visiting demigods during these sacrifices
• Demigods can be visible to common man, only by their own grace, which was made
possible here by the influence of Mahäräja Parékñit
3c. Charity given – Sufficient rewards were given to the attendants
• Charity by kings is like earth water being redistributed by rains via medium of clouds
(Analogy)
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 1
4)
4a. Mahäräja Parékñit faced kali personified, on his way to conquer the world – He was
hurting cow and a bull
Lesson 4a – The purpose of a king's going out to conquer the world is not for self-
aggrandizement, but to see how things were going on in terms of the godly state. The king,
being the representative of the Lord, has to execute the will of the Lord duly
4b. Mahäräja Parékñit dealt him with sufficient punishment
• King cannot tolerate insults to cows and brähmaëas
Lesson 4b – The root cause of all mismanagement and quarrel is that worthless men with
the modes of lower-class men, who have no higher ambition in life, come to the helm of
the state management. Such men at the post of a king are sure to first hurt the cow and the
brahminical culture
Subject of Punishing and not killing kali raises curiosity in Çaunaka Åñi
(Texts 5-9)
5)
5a. Çaunaka Åñi feels the act of Kali unpalatable and thus inquires – Inquired about, why
the çüdra man was only punished and not killed, for such a heinous and unpalatable act
• They could not imagine the organized slaughterhouses in future, by the lowest of
çüdras as the elected administrators
5b. Interested in this inquiry, only if it relates to the topics of Lord Kåñëa
• Kåñëa is the purifying agent in all matters, otherwise all subjects of mundane world
are contaminated by 3 mundane qualities
Link 5 to 6 – In text 6 Çaunaka åñi emphasizes on devotees’ one-pointed attention, only
on the topics of Kåñëa-kathä; thus describing how the intelligent conquer death (texts 7-8)
6) Nature of lord’s devotees
6a. Accustomed to licking up the honey available from Lord’s lotus feet
• Topics of Lord Kåñëa and of His pure devotees are equally good and are on
transcendental plane e.g. Activities of Battlefield of Kurukñetra, of Päëòavas and of
Mahäräja Parékñit (Para 1)
• Meaning of Kåñëa’s lotus feet (Para 3)
o They are as beautiful as the lotus flower, and remain on the whorl of lotus
flower of His abode, when it manifests in this mundane world
6b.Do not like to waste human life which is very valuable and temporary(Para 2 & 4)
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 2
Lesson 6 – It is our duty to see that not a moment of our life is wasted in topics which are
not related with Lord Kåñëa, especially if we desire to have eternal life without continuous
change of material bodies
Link 6 to 7 – Text 7 mentions the focus of intelligent men who desires eternal life
7) Intelligent accept the only and the surest way to escape death – Men of higher
intelligence attain eternal life by inviting Yamaräja to hear and chant lord’s glories
• Modern scientists, while talking of escaping death, themselves become victim of
Yamaräja, controller of death
8) Inviting Yamaräja to one’s assembly – Great sages felt fearless by calling Yamaräja
amongst themselves to hear Çrémad-Bhägavatam
Lesson 8 – The surest remedy for avoiding death is to accustom oneself to hearing the
nectarean pastimes of the Lord as they are systematically narrated in the text of Çrémad-
Bhägavatam
Link 8 to 9 – As compared to the intelligent men of text 6-8, text 9 mentions the path of
lazy men
9) Path of lazy, unfortunate and misguided men – Lazy, unintelligent men waste their
valuable gift of human life and does not strenuously endeavor to get out of entanglement of
the material world
• Program of materialistic civilized life which entangles less intelligent – ‘Hard work for
nothing’ during day time and engagement in sleep and sex indulgence at night
• ‘Working for nothing’ during day time indicates that their aim is nothing but sense
enjoyment – e.g., engagement in great cities and industrial towns
Movements of Mahäräja Parékñit as a conqueror against effects of Kali
(Texts 10-17)
10) Süta Gosvämé describes the events while Mahäräja Parékñit was residing in his capital
• The state administration of Mahäräja Parékñit was so perfect that he was sitting in his
capital peacefully
10a. Symptoms of kali began to infiltrate within his state
• 4 vices as the symptoms of kali – Meat eating, intoxication, gambling and illicit sex
o They are the root causes of all quarrel which is the literal meaning of ‘age of
kali’
10b. Mahäräja Parékñit did not find this news very palatable and got ready to fight
• It was unpalatable, because it was unheard till this time
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 3
• In a sense, it was palatable, because it gave him a chance to fight (a chance to exhibit
the fighting spirit of Kñatriya)
o Analogy : Eagerness of a sportsman to find a sporting match
10c. Mahäräja Parékñit prepared to fight back the agents of kali
• Mahäräja Parékñit counterattack was justified – Just because the age of kali is
predestined does not mean that we should not counteract and stop taking precautions
o Analogy : Inspite of predestined rains, we do take precautions
Lesson 10 – In the age of Kali the symptoms as above mentioned are sure to infiltrate into
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
11) Mahäräja Parékñit moved out to conquer all directions – He left in a royal procession of
chariots, elephants, etc.
• Mahäräja Parékñit’s chariot had black horses and flag was marked with lion, unlike
Arjuna with white horses and Hanumänjé on the flag
12) Conquered all directions of earthly planet – Thus exacted tributes from all rulers, in
different continents
13-15) Welcome addresses offered – Mahäräja Parékñit was presented with welcome
addresses at all the places visited
• Kings and great personalities of the state are presented with welcome addresses
13-15a. Addresses made in relation to Kåñëa – All kings and their subjects glorified him and
his forefathers, in relation to Kåñëa
• Subject matter of welcome addresses was Kåñëa
o Kåñëa means Kåñëa and His eternal devotees, like king means king and his
confidential associates(analogy)
o Mahäräja Parékñit appreciated because he felt the presence of Kåñëa in these
addresses, by the glorification of His acts, especially in regard to offering
protection to His devotees
Lesson 13-15a – Kåñëa and His unalloyed devotees cannot be separated, and therefore
glorifying the devotee means glorifying the Lord and vice versa
13-15b. Sufficiently rewarded – Mahäräja Parékñit sufficiently rewards such subjects who
were presenting
• The difference between the presentations of welcome addresses today and in those days
is that:
o Genuinely deserving personalities – Formerly the welcome addresses were
presented to a person like Mahäräja Parékñit and were full of facts and figures
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 4
Whereas in the present days the welcome addresses are presented not
always with factual statements but to please the post holder, and often
they are full of flattering lies
o Rewards in return – Those who presented such addresses were sufficiently
rewarded
Whereas in the present days, rarely are those who present such
welcome addresses rewarded by the poor receiver
16) Welcome addresses overwhelmed Mahäräja Parékñit – Mahäräja Parékñit feels
overwhelmed when he hears about Lord’s reciprocations with the highly malleable Päëòavas
• Appreciating the dealings – Mahäräja Parékñit being a pure devotee could appreciate
Lord’s transcendental reciprocations with His devotees
Lesson 16 - Simply by appreciating the dealings of the Lord with His pure devotees, one
can attain salvation
• Lord perfectly reciprocates – He reciprocated fully with the feelings of Päëòavas, who
considered Him as their everything
• Malleable Päëòavas – By their unalloyed determination to sacrifice any amount of
energy for the service of the Lord, they could secure Lord’s mercy in any desired shape
17) This verse links texts 16 to 18, where Süta Gosvämé begins to relate on the topic of
Kali’s effects being visible while Mahäräja Parékñit was ruling, absorbed in Lord’s
glorifications
Conversation between earth (in form of cow) and Dharma (in form of bull)
(Texts 18-24)
18)
18a. Dharma personified (in form of bull) met the personality of earth (in form of cow)
• The bull is the emblem of the moral principle, and the cow is the representative of the
earth
• Bull helps grain production and cows give milk
Lesson 18a – When the bull and the cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that
the people of the world are also in a joyful mood
18b. Dharma inquired the cause of earth’s grief – Earth in form of cow had tears in eyes, and
had lost her bodily beauty
• Loss of brahmanical culture has led to merciless slaughter of bulls and cows in this age
of kali
Lesson 18b – By advancement of brahminical culture as the topmost perfection of all
cultural affairs, bull and cow can be protected for good of all, also the morale of society is
properly maintained and so peace and prosperity is attained without extraneous effort
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 5
Link 18 to 19 – Dharma seeing the miserable condition of earth (in form of a cow)
inquires about the possible causes of such condition
Possible causes of Cow’s suffering which indicates symptoms of Kali-yuga
(Text 19-24)
19) Apparent symptoms indicating cow’s suffering – Does not appear hale and hearty,
covered with shadow of grief and face appears to be blackened
19a. Some internal disease - Are you suffering from some internal disease
19b.Separation from some relative – Are you thinking of some relative who is always in a
distant place
Lesson 20 – Suffering from internal diseases, separation from those near and dear, and
anxieties for maintaining the status quo are some of the important factors that make
people of this age always unhappy
20)
20a. Lamentation for the suffering of bull (Dharma) who has lost 3 legs and standing on one
only
• Certain effects of age of kali
o 4 things with gradually diminish in age of kali – duration of life, mercy, power
of recollection and moral or religious principles
o Dharma(principle of relgion) lost in proportion of three out of four
o Three-fourth of population becomes irreligious, leading to hellish situation for
animals
o Upsurge of so-called religious societies, which directly or indirectly defy
supreme personality of Godhead
• Gradation of human beings in proportion of their faith in Supreme Personality Of
Godhead – Vaiñëavas and the brähmaëas, then the kñatriyas, then the vaiçyas, then the
çüdras, then the mlecchas, the yavanas and at last the caëòälas (in descending order)
o Categorization is based on qualification and not birth or community
20b. Anxiety of exploitation by unlawful meat-eaters
• Meat-eater who do not follow scripture and eat meat without restrictions, are called
mlecchas (not those meat-eaters who follow scriptural injuctions) – Para 2
20c. No sacrifices (Para 3-6) – Feeling sorry for demigods being bereft of sacrificial offerings
• Bhagavad gita stresses the importance of sacrifice to enjoy peace and prosperity, to
gain freedom from sin, and to gradually turn rebellious beings to the supreme power
of Lord (3 reasons mentioned)
o Analogy: Pleasing demigods by sacrifice is like prisoners pleasing prison
officers by their obedience to them (Para 5)
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 6
• Those who are consciously engaged in devotional service are transcendental to all sins
and virtue, free from contamination of three modes
Lesson 20c - For the devotees there is no need for performance of prescribed sacrifices
because the very life of the devotee is a symbol of sacrifice
20d. Famine and drought – Grieving for living beings under the sufferings of famine and
drought
21)
21a. Neglect of women and children – Feeling compassion for unhappy women and children
left forlorn by unscrupulous persons (3 defects pointed)
• Illicit connection with women will render many women and children uncared for
• The women will try to become independent of the protection of men
• Marriage performed just as a matter of formal agreement between man and woman
21b. Mishandled scriptural learning – Goddess of learning in the hands of brähmaëas who
are addicted to acts against religion
• Education and bad character go ill together, but such things will run parallel
21c. Corrupted Brähmaëas – Brähmaëas taking shelter of administrative families that do not
respect brahmanical culture
• e.g., Even a philosopher and writer of many books on religious principles may also
accept an exalted post in a government which denies all the moral codes of the çästras
22)
22a. Disordered state affairs caused by bewildered administrators – Administrators are
given the post without training in culture and tradition (Such men are called kñatra-bandhu)
22b.Neglectful general populace – Whimsical behavior and neglect of rules and regulation
by general populace with respect to eating, sleeping, drinking, mating, etc.
• Humans are degrading to beastly lifestyle without any shame
• e.g., Ajämila story is repeated everywhere and everyday
23) Bereft of presence of Lord Kåñëa, whose transcendental activities cement the path of
liberation
• Importance of “nirväëa-vilambitänii” – Simply by remembering Lord’s transcendental
activities, the value of liberation is minimized and one reaches the eternal abode
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 7
24)
24a. Dharma addresses mother earth as being reservoir of all riches (as it was during Lord’s
descent)
• By Lord’s grace, every planet is fully equipped with all riches for the maintenance of
inhabitants
• At lord’s descent, opulence increases so much, that even heavenly denizens worship
the earth with all affection
24b. Dharma inquires the root cause of all the tribulations
24c. Talks about power of time –Suspects all tribulations to be due to powerful influence of
time which forcibly takes away and conquers even the most powerful
Lesson 24 – By the will of the Lord, the whole earth can at once be changed. He can do
and undo a thing by His sweet will. Therefore no one should consider himself to be self-
sufficient or independent of the Lord
Earth(Cow) expresses pain of separation from the Lord and laments about the
effects of kali (Texts 25-36)
25) Cow starts speaking
25a. Cow promises to answer all the inquires of the personality of religious principles (in
form of bull)
25b. Informs the bull of his (bull’s) past – “Once you too were maintained by your four legs,
and you increased happiness all over the universe by the mercy of the Lord”
• Principles of religious are laid down by Lord Himself, and executor of such laws is
Dharmaraja
Lesson 25b –Happiness in the world depends proportionately on the maintenance of the
religious principles, individually or collectively. The best part of valor is to maintain the
principles despite all kinds of odds
Link 25 to 26 – The Lord whose mercy is mentioned in 25b, is the reservoir of all
transcendental qualities, and His presence roots out all misfortune and all contaminations.
Text 25-30 explains that loss of such transcendental presence gave way for Kali to rule
26-30)
26-30a. Lord is the reservoir of many transcendental qualities (Around 40 are mentioned in
translation)
• They are unfathomable, even in comparison to the number of atoms after smashing
the earth into powder; or even Anantadeva cannot expound Lord’s glories with his
numberless tongues for numberless years(2 Analogies used)
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 8
• Why they are listed in a count here – To approximately estimate His qualities as far as
a human being is able to see Him
26-30b. Some of the qualities are listed here, out of which few are highlighted here based on
the purport
• Intolerance of another’s happiness – Has two categories according to Çréla Jéva
Gosvämé
o Protection of the surrendered souls – Lord never deviates from His word of
honor and thus executes His premise of protection in all circumstances(from
Para 2)
o Well-wisher of the devotees
• Equality of the Lord
o Analogy: Lord’s equality is like sun’s rays distributed equally but all cannot
take shelter of sun because they are covered up, similarly unfortunate are
unable to surrender and access Lord’s mercy
Lesson 26b – It is the duty of the pure devotee to be fixed in the discharge of the duty
entrusted to him by the Lord or the Lord's bona fide representative, the spiritual master.
The rest is carried on by the Lord without a break
• Quality of ‘responsibility’ (Para 3) – Although Lord has no responsibility because all
His work is done by His different appointed energy, but still He displays full voluntary
responsibilities for His trancendental pastimes
o e.g. Discharged His responsibilities as son of Nanda Mahäräja
o Also discharged His responsibility as a kñatriya son of Vasudeva, especially in
showing His valor on kidnapping His wives
• Quality of ‘knowledge’ (para 4)
o Has 5 subheadings – namely (1) intelligence, (2) gratefulness, (3) power of
understanding the circumstantial environments of place, object and time, (4)
perfect knowledge of everything, and (5) knowledge of the self
• Quality of ‘beauty’ – Has some special features to distinguish from other living beings/
and some special features to attract even Rädhäräëé
• Lord is the source of all incarnation and He is väsudeva, näräyaëa and Kåñëa
simultaneously(Para 6) – çré-kåñëa govinda hare muräre, he nätha näräyaëa väsudeva
26-30c. Lord’s departure gave chance to Kali – Cow expresses that closure of Lord’s
transcendental pastime has led to such wide spread influence of kali
31) Cow (earth) expresses her lamentation about the influences of kali and kali’s effects
on Earth herself, Dharma, demigods, sages, denizens of Pitåloka, Lord’s devotees and all men
obedient to varëaäçrama
• Kali strikes varëaäçrama – Venomous snake of kali first strikes against varëaäçrama
system which is meant to elevate one from animal consciousness through human
consciousness to godly consciousness
o Example of first strike on varëäçrama – To accept a varëa based on birthright
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 9
32-33) Cow glorifies and remembers Lord’s lotus feet – Now cow (earth) relates her
personal most memorable moments of transcendental touch of Lord’s lotus feet
32-33a. Attracts Lakñméjés – Lakñméjé (whose favor was even sought by demigods), gave up
her own abode and engaged in serving the lotus feet of Lord
32-33b. Bestower of all fortune – Cow (earth) expresses her most glorious fortune beyond
three planetary systems – Because of being decorated with the impression of Lord’s lotus feet
• By Lord’s presence, earth was made as perfect as possible, with all the rivers, forest
and mines being performing their respective duties of abundant supplies(Para 1)
Lesson 32-33b - The beauty and opulence of the world can be enhanced by the grace of the
Lord and not by any man-made planning
32-33c. Earth laments for having lost the Lord’s association –
• Experience Lord now – Lord, being omnipresent can still be experienced among us
(after He has left for His own abode), by the process of hearing, chanting etc. (Para 1)
• Power of offenseless chanting – Connect to the lord by offenseless chanting, which
takes one beyond all contamination to level of transcendence
• Offenseless chanter creates all auspiciousness – He is as auspicious as the Lord
Himself, and the movement of pure devotee all over the world can at once change the
troublesome face of world
• Get immunized against the age of kali – Only by the propagation of the chanting of
the holy name of the Lord can we be immune from all effects of the age of Kali
Lesson 32 to 33c – There is nothing in the world with which the Lord is disconnected.
The only thing we must learn is to excavate the source of connection and thus be linked
with Him by offenseless service
34) Earth (in form of cow) recognizes Lord’s grace by His mission to reduce the burden of
earth, and to reestablish principles of religion (Dharma here in the form of bull)
• This was the Lord’s mission, which was now fulfilled
35) Earth expresses acute feelings of separation – She recalls the ecstasy of continuous
association of Lord’s lotus feet and compares to the queens of Dvärakä
• Earth’s feeling were more acute, because she never had the chance of separation from
Lord’s lotus feet
o While queens, at times, had experience of separation when Lord was absent
from home
36) Mahäräja Parékñit reached banks of Sarasvaté, while earth and Dharma were engaged in
conversation
-------------------------END OF CHAPTER SIXTEEN-------------------------
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 10
1.16 HOW PARÉKÑIT RECEIVED THE AGE OF KALI
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR MEMORIZATION
1. List three characteristics of the King's advisors. (1)
2. List symptoms of the age of Kali (4, 10, 19-22)
3. Describe the connection between brahminical culture and cow protection. (4, 18)
4. Why it is said that Lord Kåñëa has lotus feet? (6)
5. What is the surest remedy for avoiding death? (7)
6. Describe the difference between welcome addresses today and in those days (16)
7. What do the bull and cow symbolize? (18)
8. Give two reasons why offering sacrifice is recommended in the scriptures. (20)
9. What is the first attack on the Varëäçrama system? (31)
10. Why were the Earth's feelings of separation more acute than the Lord's queens? (35)
Long Questions
1. Themes and lessons of 1.16.25-36 and all purport points of 1.16.32-33
2. Possible causes of Cow’s suffering which indicate the symptoms of Kali-yuga and their
associated lessons (1.16.18-24)
3. Memorize Chapter breakdown and Analogies given below
Analogies:
1.16.2: The kings used to spend lavishly during such sacrifices, as a cloud distributes
rains. A cloud is nothing but another form of water, or, in other words, the waters of
the earth transform into clouds. Similarly, the charity made by the kings in such
sacrifices are but another form of the taxes collected from the citizens.
1.16.10: In the rainy season, rain is predestined, and yet people take precautions to
protect themselves. Similarly, in the age of Kali the symptoms as above mentioned are
sure to infiltrate into 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.
1.16.20: The demigods are pleased when such sacrifices are performed, just as prison
officers are satisfied when the prisoners are turned into obedient subjects.
Bhakti Vaibhav Chapter 16 Page 11
1.16 CHAPTER BREAKDOWN
Mahäräja Parékñit as an ideal ruler punishes kali (Texts 1-4)
Süta Gosvämé describes Mahäräja Parékñit welfare state reigning under the guidance of the brähmaëas.
Once, when Mahäräja Parékñit was touring the state he saw the master of Kali-yuga, who was lower
than a çüdra, disguised as a king and hurting the legs of a cow and bull. The King at once caught hold
of him to deal sufficient punishment
Subject of Punishing and not killing kali raises curiosity in Çaunaka Åñi
(Texts 5-9)
Çaunaka Rsi inquires about the punishment of Kali and explains the glories of hearing about topics
relating to Kåñëa
Movements of Mahäräja Parékñit as a conqueror against effects of Kali
(Texts 10-17)
Süta Gosvämé, to further explaining the above incident, relates that after Mahäräja Parékñit perceives
the influence of the age of Kali within his kingdom, he initiates a tour. While touring, Maharaja
Parékñit hears the glories of his great relatives, the Päëòavas
Conversation between earth (in form of cow) and Dharma (in form of bull)
(Texts 18-24)
While Mahäräja Parékñit was passing his days hearing of the good occupations of his forefathers and
being absorbed in thought of them, the personality of religious principles, Dharma, was wandering
about in the form of a bull and he met the personality of earth, Dharaëy, in the form of a cow . She
appeared to grieve like a mother who had lost her child
Possible causes of Cow’s suffering which indicates symptoms of Kali-yuga (Text 19-24)
Dharma questions the earth (19-24) about the cause of the earth's miserable condition, referring to
the degraded conditions of Kali-yuga
Earth(Cow) expresses pain of separation from the Lord and laments about the
effects of kali (Texts 25-36)
The earth replies (25-35) that the cause of her misery is separation from Kåñëa and by an increase of
Kali's influence due to Kåñëa's absence. King Parékñit then arrives
TOPICS FOR Discussion
• ‘Welfare state in the real sense of the term’ (1)
• The root cause of mismanagement and quarrel in the age of Kali (4)
• The difference between welcome addresses today and in those days (16)
• The unfathomable transcendental qualities of the Lord (26-30)
• Symptom of the age of Kali (4, 10, 19-22)
• Movement of pure devotees all over world can change troublesome face of world (32)
How Parékñit Received the Age of Kali Page 12
