Soot said: Then, King Parikshit, the best among the twice-born, ruled the earth, just as the learned Brahmins direct according to their knowledge.

He approached the daughter of the North, Iravati, and begot sons, including Janamejaya.

They performed the Ashvamedha sacrifice on the banks of the Ganges, where the divine beings reside, making Sharadvat their guru.

The hero, by his own power, struck down the Shudra who was killing the cow, in the battle of the directions.

Shaunaka asked, 'For what reason did the king, who bears the mark of a god, strike down the Shudra who was killing the cow? Please tell me, O great one, if it relates to the stories of Krishna.'

What need is there for other meaningless discussions, when the lotus feet of the saintly are the essence of life?

For those with short lives who desire immortality, the Lord is indeed the death that is invited by the actions of mortals.

No one dies as long as the Lord is invoked by the great sages; indeed, in this world, let one drink the nectar of Hari's pastimes.

The dull-witted, the slow-minded, and those with short lives are indeed carried away by sleep at night and by futile activities during the day.

Soot said: When Parikshit heard about Kali entering the Kuru kingdom, he listened to the news with great interest and then took up his bow and arrows.

Adorned with a dark horse and equipped with a chariot, he, accompanied by his army, set out for conquest, supported by the banner of the king of beasts.

Having conquered the regions of Bhadrashva, Ketumala, and the northern Kurus, he took tribute from the Kimpurushas and others.

There, listening to the glories of the great souls from the past, one hears the fame of Krishna, which indicates his divine greatness.

The self is protected by the power of the Ashvattha tree; the affection of the Vrishni and Pandava families and their devotion to Keshava.

Being supremely satisfied, with eyes wide open in joy, he bestowed great wealth and garments, and gave away necklaces to the greatly pleased.

The king, serving as a charioteer, friend, and envoy, offers his devotion to Vishnu, who is surrounded by affectionate Pandavas and who receives the world's homage.

Thus, in the present state, reflecting on the actions of the ancients, I tell you of a wonder that was not far away.

Dharma, walking with one foot, perceives the cow in the shade and asks the weeping-faced mother as if she were about to give birth.

The Dharma spoke: O auspicious one, do you not feel the shadow of your own self fading away? I see you, who are lamenting for a distant relative.

You lament for one who is less than your own foot, or for yourself being consumed by lowly beings. Alas, the divine ones and others have taken away the share of sacrifice from the people, and the rain falls abundantly.

Women and children are unprotected on the earth, lamenting due to the actions of men. The goddess speaks in the Brahmin class, in the midst of sinful acts, in the royal class, and among the noble families.

What about the kshatriya relatives who are afflicted by Kali, or the nations that are troubled by them? From here and there, there is a dwelling, drinking, bathing, and sexual activity in the world of living beings.

O Earth, remembering your great burden and the descent of the Lord, who is hidden, the actions that are released are delayed in attaining liberation.

This is my request to you, O Earth, by which you have been uplifted. What has been taken away by the powerful, who are worshipped by the gods, is indeed your good fortune.

The Earth said: You indeed know all this, as you ask me about dharma. By your four feet, you sustain the happiness of the worlds.

Truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, contentment, straightforwardness, calmness, self-control, austerity, equanimity, endurance, and detachment are all learned virtues.

Knowledge, detachment, wealth, valor, brilliance, strength, memory, independence, skill, beauty, patience, and gentleness are indeed.

Intelligence, humility, character, strength, vigor, stability, faith, fame, honor, and absence of ego are indeed.

These and others, O Lord, are eternal where great virtues reside; they are not ever separated by those who desire greatness.

Therefore, I lament for this world, which is devoid of the qualities of the Lord, currently afflicted by sin.

I lament for myself and for You, O Supreme Being; for the gods, ancestors, sages, the virtuous, and all the varnas and ashramas.

Brahma and others, desiring liberation through meditation, perform austerities, being devoted to the Lord; that prosperity, abandoning the lotus of His abode, worships His feet with love.

I, adorned by the glorious feet of the Lord, who is like a lotus, am able to perceive His opulence in the three worlds, and then He releases me, causing me to smile.

He who, being a master of the art of self-control, is the king of the Asura lineage, and who, with great strength, brings forth the beauty of the divine form, I bow to you.

What can be the pain of separation from the Supreme Person, whose loving glance and charming smile bring stability to the hearts of those who are like bees to honey?

While they were thus conversing, the kingly sage, having examined the earth and the principles of dharma, reached the eastern Sarasvati.