Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 5: The Creative Impetus | Chapter 12: Conversation Between Mahārāja Rahūgana and Jada Bharata |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.12.14
vimukta-drishta-śruta-sańga-bandhah
mrigo 'bhavam mriga-sańgād dhatārthah
SYNONYMS
aham — I; purā — formerly (in my previous birth); bharatah nāma rājā — a King named Mahārāja Bharata; vimukta — liberated from; drishta-śruta — by experiencing personally through direct association, or by getting knowledge from the Vedas; sańga-bandhah — bondage by association; ārādhanam — the worship; bhagavatah — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva; īhamānah — always performing; mrigah abhavam — I became a deer; mriga-sańgāt — because of my intimate association with a deer; hata-arthah — having neglected the regulative principles in the discharge of devotional service.
TRANSLATION
In a previous birth I was known as Mahārāja Bharata. I attained perfection by becoming completely detached from material activities through direct experience, and through indirect experience I received understanding from the Vedas. I was fully engaged in the service of the Lord, but due to my misfortune, I became very affectionate to a small deer, so much so that I neglected my spiritual duties. Due to my deep affection for the deer, in my next life I had to accept the body of a deer.
PURPORT
The incident herein described is very significant. In a previous verse it is stated, vinā mahat-pāda-rajo-'bhishekam: one cannot attain perfection without smearing the dust from the lotus feet of an exalted devotee on his head. If one always follows the orders of the spiritual master, there is no question of falling down. As soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post, he immediately falls down. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatih kuto 'pi **. If the spiritual master is considered an ordinary man, the disciple surely loses his chance to advance further. Despite a very rigid life in devotional service, Bharata Mahārāja did not consult a spiritual master when he became overly attached to a deer. Consequently he became strongly attached to the deer, and, forgetting his spiritual routine, he fell down.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness