FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.14

अहं पुरा भरतो नाम राजा विमुक्तद‍ृष्टश्रुतसङ्गबन्ध: । आराधनं भगवत ईहमानो मृगोऽभवं मृगसङ्गाद्धतार्थ: ॥ १४ ॥
ahaṁ purā bharato nāma rājā
[aham puraa bharato naama raajaa]
vimukta-dṛṣṭa-śruta-saṅga-bandhaḥ
[vimukta-drishta-shruta-sanga-bandhah]
ārādhanaṁ bhagavata īhamāno
[aaraadhanam bhagavata eehamaano]
mṛgo ’bhavaṁ mṛga-saṅgād dhatārthaḥ
[mrigo ’bhavam mriga-sangaad dhataarthah]
Word-for-word
aham — I purā — formerly (in my previous birth) bharataḥ nāma rājā — a King named Mahārāja Bharata vimukta — liberated from dṛṣṭa-śruta — by experiencing personally through direct association or by getting knowledge from the Vedas saṅga-bandhaḥ — bondage by association ārādhanam — the worship bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva īhamānaḥ — always performing mṛgaḥ abhavam — I became a deer mṛga-saṅgāt — because of my intimate association with a deer hata-arthaḥ — having neglected the regulative principles in the discharge of devotional service.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ahaṁ purā bharato nāma rājā
aham
I
purā
formerly (in my previous birth)
bharataḥ nāma rājā
a King named Mahārāja Bharata
vimukta-dṛṣṭa-śruta-saṅga-bandhaḥ
vimukta
liberated from
dṛṣṭa-śruta
by experiencing personally through direct association or by getting knowledge from the Vedas
saṅga-bandhaḥ
bondage by association
ārādhanaṁ bhagavata īhamāno
ārādhanam
the worship
bhagavataḥ
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva
īhamānaḥ
always performing
mṛgo ’bhavaṁ mṛga-saṅgād dhatārthaḥ
mṛgaḥ abhavam
I became a deer
mṛga-saṅgāt
because of my intimate association with a deer
hata-arthaḥ
having neglected the regulative principles in the discharge of devotional service.
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-’bhiṣekam: 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 gatiḥ 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.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Previously I was a king named Bharata, who was free of attachment to all material dealings seen or heard. I worshiped the Lord, but from association with a deer, I was thwarted in my goal, and became a deer. “Who are you, so merciful to give teachings on knowledge to a great offender like me?” This verse answers. I was freed from the bondage of attachment to dealings of this world seen and heard. By misfortune, I became inattentive.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Even Jaḍa Bharata fell from advanced realization through one small unwatched attachment. He tells the story without varnish, naming the fall plainly. Honest autobiography about our own falls is a teaching tool for others — and a corrective for ourselves.
Reflection Questions
  • What honest story of your own falling could you share that would help someone else?
  • What attachment in your life right now most resembles the small one that derailed Bharata?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 12