na de oorlog (xii)

SB 1.17
Parikshit's state ethics


(1) There [at the Sarasvati river] the king observed how a lowly, wicked fellow, dressed like a prince, with a club was beating the cow and the bull, who had no one to protect them. (2) The bull, that was as white as a lotus, being beaten by the shudra, trembled out of fear and urinated standing on one leg only. (3) The cow also, on itself a religious example, but now rendered poor and distressed because the shudra beat her legs, was without a calf, and had tears in her eyes, while she in her weakness hankered for some grass to eat.

(4) Parikshit, well equipped with bow and arrows...

after adressing the shudra... said to the bull...

(7) And you, are you just a bull that, as white as a lotus, moves on one leg, having lost three? Or are you some demigod making us sad in the form of a bull? (8) Except for you, there has till now never been a living being on earth that under the protection of any of the kings of the Kuru dynasty, had such grievance shedding tears.

(9) Oh son of Surabhi [celestial cow], let me tell you, in my kingdom there will be no lamentation. Therefore, do not fear the wicked fellow. And dear mother cow, do not cry. As long as I am alive as the ruler and subduer of the envious ones, you will thrive!

(10-11) Oh chaste one, he in whose state all kinds of living beings are terrified because of miscreants, will - because of his inattentiveness - lose his fame, longevity, fortune and good birth. It is the supreme duty of the rulers to subdue [te onderwerpen] for the purpose of putting an end to the misery of the ones suffering. Therefore I shall kill this most wretched man who is so violent with other living beings.

(12) Who has cut your three legs, oh four-legged son of Surabhi? What happened to you has never happened before in this royal state of kings who live in obedience to Krishna. (13) Oh bull, I wish you all the best, you are honest and without offenses. Tell me, who has mutilated, you and tarnished the reputation of the sons of Pritha. (14) Those who make the sinless suffer, will have to fear me wherever they go, for I will curb the actions of the miscreants, and restore the welfare of the virtuous souls.

(15) The upstart of evil acts towards innocent living beings, I shall forthwith defeat, whether he is a demigod from heaven with armor and decorations, or not. (16) It is the holy duty of the head of state always to protect the ones who faithfully perform their duty. And, according to the scriptures, chastise those who in this world for other reasons than misfortune strayed from the path.