Beware of the effect of Kali

The Bhagavata Puran tells of Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna. He was a virtuous and illustrious king. He saw a lame ox being beaten mercilessly by a stranger.

- PRIYA S. TANDON

The ox which had only one leg, was crying piteously. The ox appealed to Parikshit to save him, saying that he didn't know why he was being tortured and by whom, but he was miserable.

Parikshit asked the stranger who he was and why he was beating the ox. The stranger fell at Parikshit's feet, saying that he was Kali (Kali-yuga) and that he had not been given a place in Parikshit's kingdom, so he was venting out his anger on the ox. He agreed to leave the ox alone, if Parikshit gave him a space in his kingdom.

Taking pity on Kali, Parikshit allowed him to reside in places of gambling, alcoholism, prostitution and animal slaughter. Kali said that places suchlike, were very few in Parikshit's kingdom, so he wanted more. Parikshit conceded, saying that he may also reside in gold that was begotten by unfair or illegal means. Finally, Kali was satisfied and let the ox go.

One day, Parikshit found a beautiful gold crown, embellished with precious stones, in his palace vault. He wore it and went out for hunting. Tired and thirsty, he reached a hermitage. It was the dwelling of Rishi Samika, who sat deep in meditation while Parikshit yelled out, asking for water. The Rishi heard nothing. Parikshit saw a dead snake lying nearby. In a rage of anger, he garlanded the meditating sage's neck with it, and stomped away.

Rishi Shringi, the son of Rishi Samika, saw the dead snake around his father's neck and cursed whoever had done this misdeed, to insult his father. He said that the culprit would be bitten by a Takshak snake and would die on the seventh day.