How Parikshit Received the Age of Kali
After being crowned emperor, Parikshit ruled the world with great efficiency and devotion. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather Yudhishthira, he ensured that all citizens were protected, religious principles were maintained, and everyone lived happily. One day, while Parikshit was touring his kingdom to ensure everything was in order, he witnessed an unusual and disturbing scene that would test his character and devotion.
Parikshit saw a bull, who in reality was the personification of religion (dharma), standing on only one leg with tears in his eyes. The bull appeared weak and frightened, missing three of his four legs. Nearby stood a cow, representing Mother Earth, who was also in a distressed condition. Even more shocking was the presence of a man dressed as a king, who was beating both the bull and cow with a club. This cruel man was actually Kali, the personification of the age of Kali-yuga, attempting to establish his influence in Parikshit's kingdom.
Parikshit, being a righteous king and devotee of Krishna, immediately prepared to kill this cruel person. He questioned the false king, asking who he was and why he dared to torment innocent beings in his kingdom. The bull then spoke, explaining that his four legs represented the four pillars of religion: truthfulness, cleanliness, austerity, and mercy. In Satya-yuga (the golden age), all four legs were strong, but they had been progressively weakening through the ages. Now, in Kali-yuga, only one leg - truthfulness - remained, and even that was under attack.
Kali, the personification of quarrel and hypocrisy, fell at Parikshit's feet and begged for mercy. He explained that he was merely following his nature and requested that Parikshit give him some place to reside. Parikshit, though he could have killed Kali, decided to be merciful but also practical. He ordered Kali to live only in places of gambling, intoxication, illicit sex, and animal slaughter - places where sinful activities occur. Kali requested one more place, and Parikshit granted him residence in gold (representing unnecessary accumulation of wealth). This arrangement meant that as long as people avoided these five things, they could remain free from Kali's influence even while living in Kali-yuga. This chapter demonstrates how a Krishna conscious leader deals with inevitable evils - not by pretending they don't exist, but by restricting them and educating people to avoid them, thus maintaining religious principles even in degraded times.