Sūta began to recount: In that place, King Parīkṣit witnessed a distressing scene—a cow and a bull being mercilessly beaten, as if utterly helpless. The perpetrator was a low-born man, holding a club, a disgrace to the royal order. The king observed the bull, whose body was as white as a lotus stalk. The bull trembled, quaking in fear as if about to urinate, weakened and shaken, standing precariously on a single leg, suffering from the blows inflicted by the Śūdra. Nearby, the cow—who had once generously given warm milk—was now in a state of misery. Severely struck by the feet of the Śūdra, she was separated from her calf, her face tearful, emaciated, and longing for grass. Parīkṣit, mounted on his chariot adorned with golden fittings, raised his bow and spoke in a voice deep and thunderous, questioning those before him. He demanded, “Who are you, who in this world, under my protection, unjustly harms the weak? Though you appear as a king, your actions are those of an actor, not a true twice-born. You, who attack the innocent in secret, deserve to be killed, now that Kṛṣṇa has departed far away with the bearer of the Gāṇḍīva bow.” He then addressed the bull: “Are you, white as a lotus stalk and walking with diminished feet, a deity in the form of a bull, causing us distress? Never, while the earth was protected by the mighty arms of the Kaurava kings, did grief afflict living beings here, except through you.” Turning to the cow, he spoke with compassion: “O daughter of Surabhi, do not grieve here; let your fear of the low-born vanish. Do not weep, mother; may auspiciousness be yours. I am the punisher of the wicked.” Parīkṣit declared, “In whose kingdom all subjects suffer from the wicked and the good alike, that intoxicated ruler loses his fame, lifespan, fortune, and path. This is the supreme duty of kings: to subdue the afflicted and punish their tormentors. Therefore, I shall kill this most wicked enemy of living beings.” He questioned further, “Who has cut off your three legs, O daughter of Surabhi, you four-footed one? May such as you never exist in the realm of kings who follow Kṛṣṇa. Tell me, O bull, may auspiciousness be yours, who is the cause of the disfigurement of the innocent, the defamer of the fame of the sons of Pṛthā.” He continued, “One who inflicts harm on the innocent and spreads fear everywhere, for him only the welfare of the virtuous is ensured when the wicked are subdued. He who, though innocent among beings, commits offenses without restraint, I shall seize his arm directly, even if he is mortal and wears a bracelet. For the king, the highest duty is to uphold his own dharma, to govern others according to the scriptures, and not to deviate from the path in adversity.” Dharma, in the form of the bull, replied, “Your words, O son of Pāṇḍu, are fitting for those who grant safety to the afflicted, for whom Lord Kṛṣṇa was messenger and leader due to their virtues. We do not possess the seeds of suffering, O best among men; we are bewildered by divisions in speech and do not recognize that person. Some, clothed in speculative opinions, declare the self to be the self; others say it is fate, some say it is action, and others claim nature as the master. For some, the conclusion is that it is inconceivable and indescribable; O royal sage, consider this according to your own discernment.” Sūta continued: As Dharma spoke thus, the emperor Parīkṣit addressed him, his mind focused, expressing his distress: “You speak of dharma, O knower of dharma, and you are dharma, taking the form of a bull; wherever adharma is committed, the informer shares in its place. Or perhaps, indeed, the course of divine illusion is inaccessible to the mind and speech of beings—this is certain.” Parīkṣit then explained, “Austerity, purity, compassion, and truth are the legs established in the age of virtue; three have been broken by your pride, attachment, and intoxication. Now, Dharma, your remaining leg is truth, which you must uphold; but Kali, established by falsehood, seeks to seize it.” He continued, “And this earth, bearing a great burden, was entrusted by the Lord; adorned everywhere by the footprints of the glorious one. That virtuous lady, abandoned and unfortunate, weeps with tearful eyes; she laments, ‘Unworthy kings, disguised as rulers, and shudras will enjoy me.’” Having comforted Dharma and the earth, the great charioteer Parīkṣit took up his sharp sword, intent on punishing the cause of adharma. When he approached with intent to kill, the Śūdra abandoned his mark of royalty, bowed his head at Parīkṣit’s feet, overwhelmed by fear. Parīkṣit, compassionate to the distressed, did not slay the one who had fallen at his feet, recognizing him as worthy of refuge. Smiling slightly, he spoke, “For you, whose hands are joined in respect, there is no fear at all from the glorious descendants of Guḍākeśa; you must not remain in my domain, O companion of adharma. As you dwell among the bodies of men, this host of adharma has arisen: greed, falsehood, theft, impiety, sin, deceit, quarrel, and hypocrisy.” He instructed, “You must not remain, O companion of adharma; you must abide by dharma and truth, especially in the region where the wise, through sacrifices, worship the Lord of sacrifice. Where Hari, the blessed Lord, is worshipped, taking the form of the sacrifice, he bestows auspiciousness upon the worshippers; like air within and without, he is the soul of all, both moving and unmoving.” Sūta continued: Thus instructed by Parīkṣit, Kali trembled with fear. He spoke to the king, who stood with sword raised as the wielder of punishment. Kali said, “Wherever I may dwell, O sovereign, by your command, I see you present there, bearing your bow and arrows. Therefore, O best upholder of righteousness, you should designate a place for me, where I may reside, strictly following your order.” Sūta narrated: Thus requested, Parīkṣit assigned to Kali these places—gambling, drinking, association with women, and slaughter—where the fourfold irreligion prevails. Again, when Kali begged, the king granted him gold; from that arose falsehood, intoxication, desire, passion, and enmity as the fifth. These five places, sources of unrighteousness, were given to Kali by the son of Uttara, and Kali dwelt there, abiding by the king’s command.