The Importance of Sustainable Living

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 16

Earth suffers when righteousness (Dharma) deteriorates is the moral of this story. When Earth suffers, she struggles to sustain the population. According to the Vedic society, Earth is capable of nourishing any amount of population as long as she is happy.

Emperor Parikshit came across Kali (the personification of Kali Yuga) at one place during his conquest of Earth. He saw Kali dressed as a royal person hurting the legs of a bull and a cow. The bull is the personification of Dharma and the cow is the personification of Earth.

A Dharmic person is meant to take care of Earth, Bull, and Cow. The Earth gives the fertile land, the bull helps in the production of agricultural yield, and the cow delivers milk, the miracle of aggregate food values. When righteousness is compromised, then Earth, bull, and cow are exploited and ultimately resulting in hunger, conflict, and hardship.

Dharma stands on four legs: austerity, purity, truthfulness, and compassion. As noted earlier, the bull (Dharma) was standing only on one leg which is truthfulness. All other legs were lost by the beginning of Kali Yuga. As this yuga progresses, even truthfulness will be lost completely. Kali disguised himself in the form of a royal person which shows that sinfulness and suffering are covered under the flamboyant appearance of materialism. It is the duty of spiritual directed human beings (Brahmins) to protect righteousness, Earth, bulls, and cows.

The cow looked pale and suffered from mental agony. She complained about her exploitation by materialistic people (Shudras) instead of spiritual people (Brahmanas). She was bereft of water (aka rain) to drink.

The bull complained about the following situation:

• Lack of religious sacrifices

• Brahmanas serving impious kings for money

• Kings not realizing the value of Brahmanas in the society

• Kings involved in eating meat, drinking alcohol, wearing extravagant clothes, enjoying expensive baths, and having sexual intercourse everywhere and with anyone

The cow lamented that she misses the beauty of the Lord’s feet when the Supreme Person personally walked the Earth before finishing his earthly incarnation. She expressed her concern about how Kali will be handled considering the Lord is no longer with them.

Righteousness, Peace, and Prosperity are the foundational elements for the re-spiritualization of human society.

Emperor Parikshit heard the cry of the bull and the cow and immediately arrested Kali but didn’t kill him.