A true king protects dharma by forcefully opposing Kali's vices, not by profiting from human degradation.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.10 — January 7, 1974, Los Angeles 740107SB-LOS ANGELES [33:19 Minutes] SB-01.16.10_740107SB-LOS ANGELES Pradyumna: [leads chanting of verse, etc.] [Prabhupāda and devotees repeat] [Prabhupāda interrupts to correct third line] sūta uvāca yadā parīkṣit kuru-jāṅgale 'vasat kaliṁ praviṣṭaṁ nija-cakravartite niśamya vārtām anatipriyāṁ tataḥ śarāsanaṁ saṁyuga-śauṇḍir ādade [SB 1.16.10] [break] [03:54] Translation: "Sūta Gosvāmī said: While Mahārāja Parīkṣit was residing in the capital of the Kuru empire, the symptoms of the age of Kali began to infiltrate within the jurisdiction of his state. When he learned about this, he did not think the matter very palatable. This did, however, give him a chance to fight. He took up his bows and arrows and prepared himself for military activities." Prabhupāda: So Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the ideal monarch.
Yadā parīkṣit kuru-jāṅgale 'vasat. He was so powerful king that there was no possibility of anyone rising against him. He was so powerful. Therefore he was peacefully living in his capital, kuru-jāṅgale.
So he was not getting any opportunity to fight because there was no enemy with whom to fight. But as soon as he got the news that Kali has entered in the jurisdiction of his kingdom, he got the chance of fighting. Those who are sportsmen, they want to play. Naturally, one who is expert in some art...
Just like there was one Bhasmāsura. So... Bhasmāsura? Bhaumāsura?
What is the name? Devotees: Bhaumāsura. Prabhupāda: Bhaumāsura. So Bhaumāsura, by the grace of Lord Śiva, he got one thousand hands. And he wanted to fight, but he was so powerful that nobody would dare to come before him to fight. Therefore he was practicing to fight with the hills and mountains, and cracking them and smashing them.
So one day he complained to Lord Śiva, "My Lord, you have so kindly given me the hands to fight, but I don't find any opponent to fight. So what is this use of these hands, so many?" So Lord Śiva could understand that "He is a demon." So he said, "You rascal, one day you will find some enemy when your desire will be fulfilled for good." [laughter] So he had to fight with Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa finished him. So it is a natural desire. So Parīkṣit Mahārāja had no desire to fight, but he got the news that the Kali has entered. His grandfathers, the Pāṇḍavas, left kingdom, that "Now the Kali is coming.
Let us retire timely. So the next king, our grandson, will look after it." Not that everyone should remain at home until he is forced by death to get out of home. That is not very nice principle. One should retire timely.