Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.17.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesMother Earth Seeks Protection
“When the earth saw that King Pṛthu was taking his bow and arrow to kill her, she became very much afraid and began to tremble. She then began to flee, exactly like a deer, which runs very swiftly when followed by a hunter. Being afraid of King Pṛthu, she took the shape of a cow and began to run.”
What the purport teaches
- Mother earth produces living entities in many forms, just as a mother produces various children. The purport explains that she can also take innumerable shapes.
- Frightened by King Pṛthu's bow and arrow, she took the shape of a cow and fled. She chose this form because a cow is never to be killed.
- King Pṛthu understood why she had taken a cow's shape. Nevertheless, he continued chasing her.
Try this today
Write one sentence recalling the purport's teaching that a cow is never to be killed.
Ask yourself
How does the earth's choice of a cow's form highlight the cow's right to protection?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.