The Earth Takes the Form of a Weeping Cow
Bala Kanda, Chaupai 184
Doha 184 · Movement 1 of 3
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Thieves, gamblers, and those consumed by the wealth and spouses of others multiply. Mother, father, deity, and every sacred relation are dishonoured, while the virtuous are forced into service. Shiva tells Bhavani that such conduct reveals demons even when the outer body remains human.
The earth can no longer bear the reversal of dharma. Mountains, rivers, and oceans do not weigh upon her as heavily as one being who deliberately harms another. Yet fear of Ravana has made truthful speech dangerous throughout the worlds.
She assumes the gentle form of a cow and goes where gods and sages have gathered. Tears run from her eyes as she describes the burden. The assembly hears, but no one present possesses the power to remove it.
More burdened by cruelty than by mountains, the Earth cow weeps before heaven.
Read the passage from the Manas
बाढ़े खल बहु चोर जुआरा। जे लंपट परधन परदारा।। मानहिं मातु पिता नहिं देवा। साधुन्ह सन करवावहिं सेवा।। जिन्ह के यह आचरन भवानी। ते जानेहु निसिचर सब प्रानी।। अतिसय देखि धर्म कै ग्लानी। परम सभीत धरा अकुलानी।। गिरि सरि सिंधु भार नहिं मोही। जस मोहि गरुअ एक परद्रोही।। सकल धर्म देखइ बिपरीता। कहि न सकइ रावन भय भीता।। धेनु रूप धरि हृदयँ बिचारी। गई तहाँ जहँ सुर मुनि झारी।। निज संताप सुनाएसि रोई। काहू तें कछु काज न होई।।
The wicked multiplied: thieves, gamblers, those who lusted after the wealth and wives of others. They honored neither mother, nor father, nor the gods. They forced the saints to serve them.