On the sacred banks of the Gaṅgā, King Parīkṣit performed three grand Aśvamedha sacrifices, giving lavish gifts to all, with the venerable Śāradvata presiding as his priest. Such was the sanctity of these rites that even the gods themselves appeared before him. Once, during his campaign to conquer the directions, the heroic king encountered Kali—a figure disguised as a monarch but, in truth, a śūdra—who was cruelly striking a cow and a bull with his foot. Witnessing this, Parīkṣit seized Kali. Hearing of this event, the sage Śaunaka inquired: “For what cause did the king capture Kali during his conquest? Who was this śūdra, bearing royal insignia, who struck the cow with his foot? O blessed one, please recount this tale, especially if it relates to the stories of Kṛṣṇa. For those who delight in the nectar of the Lord’s lotus feet, what use are other fruitless talks, which only waste our precious lives?” He continued: “O gentle one, for mortal men of brief lifespan who seek immortality, the Lord, as Death, has been summoned here by the sage Śāmīka. No one dies while Death remains here; thus the sages called the Lord. Oh, let the nectar of Hari’s pastimes be savored in the world of men! In this age, people are slow, dull-minded, and short-lived; their nights are lost to sleep, and their days to fruitless pursuits.” Sūta then spoke: “When Parīkṣit, residing in the land of the Kurus, heard the unwelcome news that Kali had entered his kingdom, the valiant archer took up his bow. He mounted his splendid chariot, yoked with dark horses and bearing the lion banner, and, surrounded by his formidable army of chariots, horses, elephants, and infantry, set out to conquer all directions. He subdued Bhadrāśva, Ketumāla, Bhārata, the northern Kurus, and the regions of Kimpuruṣa and others, collecting tribute from them. Cities and forests, rivers of pure waters, men of godlike stature, and women of enchanting beauty—all came under his sway. Dhanañjaya beheld wondrous sights never seen before: magnificent dwellings and women who rivaled celestial nymphs. Everywhere, he heard the glories of his noble ancestors being sung—praises that revealed the greatness of Krishna. He also heard of his own deliverance from the fiery weapon of Ashvatthāman, of the deep affection between the Vṛṣṇis and the sons of Pāṇḍu, and of their devotion to Keśava. Greatly pleased, his eyes wide with joy, the noble-hearted king rewarded them with abundant wealth, fine garments, and necklaces. The king, devoted to the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, served the Pāṇḍavas with affection—acting as charioteer, companion, attendant, friend, envoy, sharing their valorous seat, following them, praising and bowing to them, and thereby bringing the world to bow before Viṣṇu. While he thus followed the noble conduct of his forebears day by day, a marvelous event unfolded nearby. Dharma, walking on a single foot, came upon the Earth, her shadow diminished, weeping like a cow separated from her calf. Dharma questioned her: “O gentle one, is all well with you? Why do you appear so pale and withered? I sense sorrow within—are you grieving for a distant relative, O mother? Is it for your missing limb, for yourself about to be consumed by the wicked, or for the gods whose shares of sacrifice have been stolen, or for the people, since Indra no longer sends rain? Are you mourning for women and children left unprotected, suffering at the hands of cruel men? Or for the sacred speech of the goddess, corrupted in the brahmin class, or for noble families degraded by unrighteous kings? Is it for the kṣatriya clans afflicted by Kali, or for the ruined kingdoms? Or for the people wandering in search of food, drink, shelter, and baths, their livelihoods disrupted? Or, O mother, do you recall the deeds of Hari, who incarnated to relieve your burden, but has now departed, delaying your deliverance? Tell me, O Earth, what is the root of your distress? Has your good fortune, worshipped by the gods, been taken away by Time, the strongest of the strong?” Earth replied: “You know all you ask, O Dharma, for you uphold the four pillars that bring happiness to the world: truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, renunciation, contentment, straightforwardness, tranquility, self-control, austerity, equanimity, forbearance, withdrawal, and learning; knowledge, detachment, lordliness, heroism, brilliance, strength, memory, independence, skill, beauty, courage, and gentleness; boldness, humility, good conduct, endurance, vigor, strength, prosperity, depth, steadiness, faith, fame, honor, and absence of pride. All these and other great qualities ever reside in you; those who seek greatness find them undiminished in you. Therefore, I grieve for the world, bereft of the presence of Śrīnivāsa, the worthy vessel of all virtues, and afflicted by the sinful gaze of Kali. I lament for myself, for you—the best among the rulers—for the gods, ancestors, sages, all the virtuous, and for all the social orders and stages of life. Even Brahmā and others, yearning for a mere glance, performed severe austerities, surrendering to the Lord; yet the goddess Śrī herself, leaving her own abode in the lotus forest, lovingly worships the dust of His feet, adorned with auspicious marks. I was adorned by the glorious footprints of the Lord—marked with lotus, thunderbolt, goad, banner, and other symbols—yet, having attained such splendor, I did not find favor with Him; at last, He cast me aside, and the worlds, too, rejected me. He, by His own power, removed the unbearable burden of the earth—the hundred armies of demonic kings—established you, though your position was unstable and diminished, in your own strength, and delighted the Yadu dynasty by bearing their charming forms. Who could bear separation from the Supreme Person, whose loving glances, radiant smiles, and sweet words captivate even the steadfast honey-bees—when the very dust of His feet brings a thrill to my being?” As Earth and Dharma thus conversed, at that moment, King Parīkṣit, the royal sage, arrived at the eastern Sarasvatī river. Obeisance to You, O Lord—the Supreme Person, the great soul, the abode of all beings, the source of all, the transcendent, the Supreme Self. Salutations to You, the treasure-house of knowledge and wisdom, the Absolute, of infinite power, beyond qualities, unchanging, and not of this world. Salutations to Time, the source of time, the witness of its divisions, the universe itself, the overseer of all, the creator and cause of the universe. Salutations to the Self of elements, senses, life-breath, mind, intellect, and inner disposition, who is experienced inwardly, yet concealed by identification with the three qualities.