FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.5.8

वाता न वान्ति न हि सन्ति दस्यव: प्राचीनबर्हिर्जीवति होग्रदण्ड: । गावो न काल्यन्त इदं कुतो रजो लोकोऽधुना किं प्रलयाय कल्पते ॥ ८ ॥
vātā na vānti na hi santi dasyavaḥ
[vaataa na vaanti na hi santi dasyavah]
prācīna-barhir jīvati hogra-daṇḍaḥ
[praacheena-barhir jeevati hogra-dandah]
gāvo na kālyanta idaṁ kuto rajo
[gaavo na kaalyanta idam kuto rajo]
loko ’dhunā kiṁ pralayāya kalpate
[loko ’dhunaa kim pralayaaya kalpate]
Word-for-word
vātāḥ — the winds na vānti — are not blowing na — not hi — because santi — are possible dasyavaḥ — plunderers prācīna-barhiḥ — old King Barhi jīvati — is living ha — still ugra-daṇḍaḥ — who would sternly punish gāvaḥ — the cows na kālyante — are not being driven idam — this kutaḥ — from where rajaḥ — dust lokaḥ — the planet adhunā — now kim — is it pralayāya — for dissolution kalpate — to be considered ready.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
vātā na vānti na hi santi dasyavaḥ
vātāḥ
the winds
na vānti
are not blowing
na
not
hi
because
santi
are possible
dasyavaḥ
plunderers
prācīna-barhir jīvati hogra-daṇḍaḥ
prācīna-barhiḥ
old King Barhi
jīvati
is living
ha
still
ugra-daṇḍaḥ
who would sternly punish
gāvo na kālyanta idaṁ kuto rajo
gāvaḥ
the cows
na kālyante
are not being driven
idam
this
kutaḥ
from where
rajaḥ
dust
loko ’dhunā kiṁ pralayāya kalpate
lokaḥ
the planet
adhunā
now
kim
is it
pralayāya
for dissolution
kalpate
to be considered ready.
Conjecturing on the origin of the storm, they said: There is no wind blowing, and no cows are passing, nor is it possible that this dust storm could be raised by plunderers, for there is still the strong King Barhi, who would punish them. Where is this dust storm blowing from? Is the dissolution of the planet now to occur?
Purport

Specifically significant in this verse is prācīna-barhir jīvati. The king of that part of the land was known as Barhi, and although he was old, he was still living, and he was a very strong ruler. Thus there was no possibility of an invasion by thieves and plunderers. Indirectly it is stated here that thieves, plunderers, rogues and unwanted population can exist only in a state or kingdom where there is no strong ruler. When, in the name of justice, thieves are allowed liberty, the state and kingdom are disturbed by such plunderers and unwanted population. The dust storm created by the soldiers and assistants of Lord Śiva resembled the situation at the time of the dissolution of this world. When there is a need for the dissolution of the material creation, this function is conducted by Lord Śiva. Therefore the situation now created by him resembled the dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The winds are not blowing. It is not thieves because King Prācīnabarhi, who administers severe punishment, is living. No one is herding cows. Where is the dust coming from? Is the world ready for final destruction? They considered various possibilities. It is evident that Prācīnabarhi was the King at that time.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
They ruled out wind, cows, plunderers, and finally wondered if dissolution was at hand — the more we eliminate ordinary causes, the closer we come to confessing it's reaping from sowing. Don't keep listing what it isn't; admit what it is.
Reflection Questions
  • What ordinary explanations have I exhausted in trying to deny a moral cause?
  • Where is my elimination process really avoidance?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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