TEXT 8
vata na vanti na hi santi dasyavah
pracina-barhir jivati hogra-dandah
gavo na kalyanta idam kuto rajo
loko dhuna kim pralayaya kalpate
SYNONYMS
vatahthe winds; na vantiare not blowing; nanot; hibecause; santiare possible; dasyavahplunderers; pracina-barhihold King Barhi; jivatiis living; hastill; ugra-dandahwho would sternly punish; gavahthe cows; na kalyanteare not being driven; idamthis; kutahfrom where; rajahdust; lokahthe planet; adhunanow; kimis it; pralayayafor dissolution; kalpateto be considered ready.
TRANSLATION
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 pracina-barhir jivati. 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 Siva 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 Siva. Therefore the situation now created by him resembled the dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.

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