Mother Earth's Burden - Lamentation for Kṛṣṇa and Instructions to Kings

This article presents a thematic survey of Mother Earth's lamentation for Lord Kṛṣṇa, her critique of materialistic kings, and her instructions on governance. It organizes the profound teachings found in two Vaniquotes categories: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Mother Earth and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Mother Earth in the form of a cow.

Mother Earth (Goddess Bhūmi or Bhūmi-devī) is the sustainer of all living entities, yet she is often abused by the very inhabitants she supports. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, she gives voice to the planet's distress. In the First Canto, she appears as a cow, tears streaming from her eyes, lamenting the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa and the subsequent degradation of dharma. In the Fourth Canto, she confronts King Pṛthu, explaining that natural resources are withdrawn when leadership becomes corrupt. Finally, in the Twelfth Canto, she laughs at the folly of conquerors who try to possess her, reminding them that death conquers all.

The Lamenting Cow (Separation from Kṛṣṇa)

In the First Canto, Dharma (personified as a bull standing on one leg) approaches Mother Earth, who has taken the form of a cow. She is grieving deeply. When Dharma asks the cause of her sorrow, she attributes it to the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa, whose presence alone sustained her fortune.

The Burden of Kali

Mother Earth explains that with the Lord's departure, the age of Kali has spread its influence, leaving her and the demigods in a precarious position. She laments the loss of varṇa and āśrama and the distress of the gods.

  • "O Dharma, whatever you have inquired from me shall be known to you. I shall try to reply to all those questions. Once you too were maintained by your four legs, and you increased happiness all over the universe by the mercy of the Lord."
  • "I (Mother Earth) am thinking about myself and also, O best amongst the demigods, about you, as well as about all the demigods, sages, denizens of Pitṛloka, devotees of the Lord and all men obedient to the system of varṇa and āśrama in human society."
  • "That Personality of Godhead, the reservoir of all goodness and beauty, Lord Kṛṣṇa, has now closed His transcendental pastimes on the face of the earth. In His absence the age of Kali has spread its influence everywhere, so I am sorry to see this condition of existence."

Loss of Fortune

She recalls how she was once decorated with the footprints of the Lord, which made her more glorious than the three planetary systems. Now, she feels abandoned.

  • "I was endowed with specific powers to supersede the fortune of all the three planetary systems by being decorated with the impressions of the flag, thunderbolt, elephant-driving rod and lotus flower, which are signs of the lotus feet of the Lord."
  • "At the end, when I (Mother Earth) felt I was so fortunate, the Lord left me."
  • "When He traversed my (earth's) surface, I would be immersed in the dust of His lotus feet and thus would be sumptuously covered with grass which appeared like hairs standing on me out of pleasure."
  • "Who, therefore, can tolerate the pangs of separation from that Supreme Personality of Godhead? He could conquer the gravity and passionate wrath of His sweethearts like Satyabhāmā by His sweet smile of love, pleasing glance and hearty appeals."
  • "Lakṣmījī, whose glance of grace was sought by demigods like Brahmā and for whom they surrendered many a day unto the Personality of God, gave up her own abode in the forest of lotus flowers and engaged herself in the service of the lotus feet of the Lord."
  • "Similarly you were also in a distressed condition, weakened in your standing strength, and thus He also incarnated by His internal energy in the family of the Yadus to relieve you."

The 40 Qualities of Kṛṣṇa

In a definitive list, Mother Earth enumerates forty transcendental qualities that eternally reside in Lord Kṛṣṇa. She argues that since He is the repository of all virtue, His departure leaves the world empty of these qualities.

  • "In Kṛṣṇa reside (1) truthfulness, (2) cleanliness, (3) intolerance of another's unhappiness, (4) the power to control anger, (5) self-satisfaction, (6) straightforwardness, (7) steadiness of mind, (8) control of the sense organs, (9) responsibility..."
  • "In Kṛṣṇa reside (10) equality, (11) tolerance, (12) equanimity, (13) faithfulness, (14) knowledge, (15) absence of sense enjoyment, (16) leadership, (17) chivalry, (18) influence, (19) the power to make everything possible..."
  • "In Kṛṣṇa reside (20) the discharge of proper duty, (21) complete independence, (22) dexterity, (23) fullness of all beauty, (24) serenity, (25) kindheartedness, (26) ingenuity, (27) gentility, (28) magnanimity (29) determination..."
  • "In Kṛṣṇa reside (30) perfection in all knowledge, (31) proper execution, (32) possession of all objects of enjoyment, (33) joyfulness, (34) immovability, (35) fidelity, (36) fame, (37) worship, (38) pridelessness..."
  • "In Kṛṣṇa reside (39) being (as the Personality of Godhead) (40) eternity, and many other transcendental qualities which are eternally present and never to be separated from Him."

The Confrontation with King Pṛthu (Withholding Grains)

In the Fourth Canto, King Pṛthu prepares to shoot his arrows at the earth because she is not producing grains. Mother Earth assumes a cow-like form and speaks philosophy to the angry King, explaining her actions and offering a solution.

Defense of Her Actions

Mother Earth as the form of a cow explains that she hid the seeds because the kings had become thieves and non-devotees. She questions Pṛthu's aggression, appealing to his status as a protector of women.

  • "The cow-shaped earth continued to appeal to the King: I am very poor and have not committed any sinful activities. I do not know why you want to kill me."
  • "Even if a woman does commit some sinful activity, no one should place his hand upon her. And what to speak of you, dear King, who are so merciful. You are a protector, and you are affectionate to the poor."
  • "Since you are supposed to be the knower of all religious principles, why are you so envious of me, and why are you so anxious to kill a woman?"
  • "My dear King, the seeds, roots, herbs and grains, which were created by Lord Brahmā in the past, are now being used by nondevotees, who are devoid of all spiritual understanding."
  • "My dear King, not only are grains and herbs being used by nondevotees, but, as far as I am concerned, I am not being properly maintained."
  • "I am (Mother Earth) being neglected by kings who are not punishing these rascals who have turned into thieves by using grains for sense gratification. Consequently I have hidden all these seeds, which were meant for the performance of sacrifice."
  • "Due to being stocked for a very long time, all the grain seeds within me have certainly deteriorated. Therefore you should immediately arrange to take these seeds out by the standard process, which is recommended by the ācāryas or śāstras."

The Boat Analogy

Mother Earth as the form of a cow warns Pṛthu that destroying her would be suicidal, as she supports all living beings like a boat on water.

  • "The cow-shaped earth continued: My dear King, I am just like a strong boat, and all the paraphernalia of the world is standing upon me. If you break me to pieces, how can you protect yourself and your subjects from drowning?"
  • "Yet at the present moment, in the form of a great hero, You are about to kill me with sharpened arrows. I am, however, just like a boat on the water, keeping everything afloat."

Surrender and Instruction

Recognizing Pṛthu as an incarnation of the Supreme Lord, Mother Earth as the form of a cow surrenders and provides instructions on how to level the surface of the globe to make it fertile.

  • "Addressing the great, opulent King Pṛthu as the knower of religious principles and shelter of the surrendered, she said: Please save me. You are the protector of all living entities. Now you are situated as the King of this planet."
  • "Now that You are present before me and ready to kill me with Your weapons, let me know where I should go to take shelter, and tell me who can give me protection."
  • "In the beginning of creation You created all these moving and nonmoving living entities by Your inconceivable energy. Through this very same energy You are now prepared to protect the living entities."
  • "My dear King, may I inform you that you have to make the entire surface of the globe level. This will help me, even when the rainy season has ceased."
  • "Rainfall comes by the mercy of King Indra. Rainfall will remain on the surface of the globe, always keeping the earth moistened, and thus it will be auspicious for all kinds of production."
  • "O great hero, protector of living entities, if you desire to relieve the living entities by supplying them sufficient grain, and if you desire to nourish them by taking milk from me, you should make arrangements to bring a calf suitable for this purpose."
  • "Since I will be very much affectionate towards my calf, your desire to take milk from me will be fulfilled."
  • "A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and again in his attempts."
  • "One who follows the principles and instructions enjoined by the great sages of the past can utilize these instructions for practical purposes. Such a person can very easily enjoy life and pleasures."
  • "To benefit all human society, not only in this life but in the next, the great seers and sages have prescribed various methods conducive to the prosperity of the people in general."

The Witness of History (Mocking Conquerors)

In the Twelfth Canto, Mother Earth speaks to the passing of time and the foolishness of kings who try to conquer her. She lists great monarchs of the past who are now gone, highlighting the temporary nature of material possession.

The Folly of "Mine"

Mother Earth mocks the kings who fight over boundaries, driven by lust and false ego, not realizing that death is waiting to take them away.

  • "Kings and politicians imagine: 'First I will conquer my senses and mind; then I will subdue my chief ministers and rid myself of the thorn-pricks of my advisors, citizens, friends and relatives, as well as the keepers of my elephants. In this way I will gradually conquer the entire earth.' Because the hearts of these leaders are bound by great expectations, they fail to see death waiting nearby."
  • "Great rulers of men, even those who are learned, meet frustration and failure because of material lust. Driven by lust, these kings place great hope and faith in the dead lump of flesh called the body, even though the material frame is as fleeting as bubbles of foam on water."
  • "After conquering all the land on my surface, these proud kings forcibly enter the ocean to conquer the sea itself. What is the use of their self-control, which is aimed at political exploitation? The actual goal of self-control is spiritual liberation."
  • "Political leaders challenge one another: 'All this land is mine! It's not yours, you fool!' Thus they attack one another and die."
  • "For the sake of conquering me, materialistic persons fight one another. Fathers oppose their sons, and brothers fight one another, because their hearts are bound to possessing political power."

Historical Footnotes

Mother Earth recites a litany of powerful kings who tried to possess her but were ultimately reduced to stories.

  • "O best of the Kurus, the earth continued as follows: 'Although in the past great men and their descendants have left me, departing from this world in the same helpless way they came into it, even today foolish men are trying to conquer me.'"
  • "Such kings as Pṛthu, Purūravā, Gādhi, Nahuṣa, Bharata, Kārtavīrya Arjuna, Māndhātā, Sagara, Rāma, Khaṭvāṅga, Dhundhuhā, Raghu, Tṛṇabindu, Yayāti, Śaryāti, Śantanu, Gaya, Bhagīratha, Kuvalayāśva, Kakutstha, Naiṣadha, Nṛga, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Vṛtra, Rāvaṇa, who made the whole world lament, Namuci, Śambara, Bhauma, Hiraṇyākṣa and Tāraka, as well as many other demons and kings who possessed great powers of control over others, were all full of knowledge, heroic, all-conquering and unconquerable. Nevertheless, O almighty Lord, although they lived their lives intensely trying to possess me, these kings were subject to the passage of time, which reduced them all to mere historical accounts. None of them could permanently establish their rule."

Theology and Prayers (Surrender to Kṛṣṇa)

Mother Earth is not just a planet; she is a pure devotee. Her prayers acknowledge the Supreme Lord as the source of all existence and the controller of the modes of nature.

The Source of Creation

Mother Earth affirms that the material elements, including herself, are expansions of the Lord's energy and that He remains transcendental to them.

  • "Goddess Bhūmi said: Obeisances unto You, O Lord of the chief demigods, O holder of the conchshell, disc and club. O Supreme Soul within the heart, You assume Your various forms to fulfill Your devotees' desires. Obeisances unto You."
  • "My dear Lord, although You are one, by Your inconceivable potencies You have expanded Yourself in many forms. Through the agency of Brahmā, You have created this universe."
  • "My dear Lord, by Your own potencies You are the original cause of the material elements, as well as the performing instruments (the senses), the workers of the senses (the controlling demigods), the intelligence and the ego, as well as everything else."
  • "By Your energy You manifest this entire cosmic creation, maintain it and dissolve it. Through Your energy alone everything is sometimes manifest and sometimes not manifest. You are therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes."
  • "The planet earth spoke: My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are transcendental in Your position, and by Your material energy You have expanded Yourself in various forms and species of life through the interaction of the three modes of material nature."
  • "Unlike some other masters, You always remain in Your transcendental position and are not affected by the material creation, which is subject to different material interactions. Consequently You are not bewildered by material activities."
  • "This is illusion: that earth, water, fire, air, ether, sense objects, demigods, mind, the senses, false ego and the total material energy exist independent of You. In fact, they are all within You, my Lord, who are one without a second."
  • "Desiring to create, O unborn master, You increase and then assume the mode of passion. You do likewise with the mode of ignorance when You wish to annihilate the universe and with goodness when You wish to maintain it. Nonetheless, You remain uncovered by these modes. You are time, the pradhāna, and the puruṣa, O Lord of the universe, yet still You are separate and distinct."

Prayers for Protection

Mother Earth recalls how the Lord saved her as Varāha and asks for mercy upon her descendants, specifically the son of Narakāsura.

  • "You are always unborn. Once, in the form of the original boar, You rescued me from the waters in the bottom of the universe. Through Your own energy You created all the physical elements, the senses and the heart, for the maintenance of the world."
  • "My dear Lord, in this way You once protected me by rescuing me from the water, and consequently Your name has been famous as Dharādhara - He who holds the planet earth."
  • "My dear Lord, I am also the creation of one of Your energies, composed of the three modes of material nature. Consequently I am bewildered by Your activities. Even the activities of Your devotees cannot be understood, and what to speak of Your pastimes."
  • "My dear Lord, You are the complete conductor of the material creation. You have created this cosmic manifestation and the three material qualities, and therefore You have created me, the planet earth, the resting place of all living entities."
  • "My dear Lord, please pacify your anger completely and hear patiently whatever I submit before you. Please turn your kind attention to this. I may be very poor, but a learned man takes the essence of knowledge from all places."
  • "Here is the son of Bhaumāsura. Frightened, he is approaching Your lotus feet, since You remove the distress of all who seek refuge in You. Please protect him. Place Your lotus hand, which dispels all sins, upon his head."

Glorification of the Lord

Mother Earth offers obeisances to the Lord's lotus feet and His various forms, acknowledging Him as the Absolute Truth.

  • "My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus and whose feet are engraved with lotuses."
  • "Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva, Viṣṇu, the primeval person, the original seed. Obeisances unto You, the omniscient one."
  • "Obeisances unto You of unlimited energies, the unborn progenitor of this universe, the Absolute. O Soul of the high and the low, O Soul of the created elements, O all-pervading Supreme Soul, obeisances unto You."
  • "You are therefore directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Those who are not sufficiently experienced cannot understand Your transcendental activities because these persons are covered by Your illusory energy."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes categories Verses Spoken by Mother Earth and Verses Spoken by Mother Earth in the form of a cow. We invite you to visit the links to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

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