Canto 5: The Creative ImpetusChapter 6: The Activities of Lord Rishabhadeva

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.6.8

atha samīra-vega-vidhūta-venu-vikarshana-jātogra-dāvānalas tad vanam ālelihānah saha tena dadāha

SYNONYMS

atha — thereafter; samīra-vega — by the force of the wind; vidhūta — tossed about; venu — of bamboos; vikarshana — by the rubbing; jāta — produced; ugra — fierce; dāva-analaha forest fire; tat — that; vanam — forest near Kutakācala; ālelihānah — devouring all around; saha — with; tena — that body; dadāha — burned to ashes.

TRANSLATION

While He was wandering about, a wild forest fire began. This fire was caused by the friction of bamboos, which were being blown by the wind. In that fire, the entire forest near Kutakācala and the body of Lord Rishabhadeva were burnt to ashes.

PURPORT

Such a forest fire can burn the external bodies of animals, but Lord Rishabhadeva was not burned, although He apparently seemed so. Lord Rishabhadeva is the Supersoul of all living entities within the forest, and His soul is never burned by fire. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, adāhyo 'yam — the soul is never burned by fire. Due to Lord Rishabhadeva's presence, all the animals in the forest were also liberated from material encagement.

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