Protect Yourself From The Effect of Kali-Yuga

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 17

Emperor Parikshit arrested the personification of Kali-Yuga and inquired about his identity. He said the seized one dressed as a king (Kshatriya) but behaving like an irresponsible material person (Sudra).

The degradation of righteousness (Dharma), the exploitation of Earth, suffering of bulls and cows came as a surprise to the Emperor in this one corner of his empire, which was composed of 7 islands and 9 continents i.e. the whole world. Bharatha-Varsha (India) was one of the continents. The capital of his empire was Hastinapur (Delhi).

The Emperor pacified the bull and cow and gave confidence to them that no miscreants will be left unpunished during his rule. There is no place for immorality, suffering, and exploitation in his kingdom.

He said that the greatest duty of the king is to punish those who cause harm to the innocent and offenseless living beings, curb the miscreants, and contribute to the good of the virtuous.

He wanted to get a statement of accusation from the bull against the miscreant Kali but the bull declined to give it. Although the bull knew that Kali was the cause of his suffering since the bull was spiritually educated, he saw the suffering as a result of his past action. He didn’t accuse Kali but rather considered that the suffering is clearing out his sinful reactions. When one takes shelter from the Lord, the reactions are burned away just like a blazing fire burns the forest because the laws of action-reaction are under the control of the Lord. This is the view of Vedanta philosophers. Other philosophers adhere to the laws of action-reaction but are bewildered by the concept of Lord's mercy, which supersedes every law of nature.

There are six schools of philosophy:

1. Nyaya (Judgement) by Sage Gautama

2. Vaiseshika (metaphysics and logic) by Sage Kannada

3. Sankhya (empiricism) by Sage Kapila

4. Yoga (techniques for self-realization) by Patanjali

5. Purva-Mimamsa by Jaimini

6. Vedanta by Sage Vysadeva

Vedanta is the conclusion of the Vedas where every other philosophical thought culminates. We see contradictions if we tend to see each philosophical thought separately but when all are seen in synergy with Vedanta then there is no contradiction.

The Emperor told the bull that the perpetrator of the irreligious act and non-reporter of the same act will find the same punishment.

He was about to kill Kali with his sword. Kali, overwhelmed with fear abandoned his royal attire, bowed down to the feet of the Emperor and begged forgiveness. The Emperor decided not to kill the surrendered but commanded him to leave his kingdom. He wanted to give an opportunity to Kali. A learned person never kills someone who seeks forgiveness. In Ramayana, Lord Rama said that he would not kill Ravana, if Ravana decides to seek forgiveness.

He ruled the entire Earth, so Kali was left with no place to live. At Kali's request, the Emperor advised the places where Kali can't live and where he can live.

The places where Kali can’t live:

● Where sacrificial (fire) ceremonies are performed - Yajna

● Worship of Lord Hari is executed

● In the minds of Yogi’s who are absorbed in Super Soul (Paramatma)

The places where Kali can live:

● Gambling

● Intoxication

● Prostitution

● Animal Slaughterhouses

The Emperor was a virtuous leader and the places where Kali could live were non existent in his kingdom. Kali requested one additional place where he could live. The Emperor added “Gold” to the list. He didn’t remember that the crown he wears is made of gold. Unknowingly, he had given permission to Kali to live on his head. He was confident when he agreed to the addition because a spiritual person like him considers gold and dust equal in all respects and had no attachment to gold. His kingdom sustained on wealth obtained from sources other than gold.

Emperor Parikshit then connected the broken 3 legs of the bull: austerity, purity, and compassion and left from that place.

Anyone who wants to minimize the effects of Kali-Yuga should refrain from gambling, alcohol, illicit sex, meat-eating, and gold.