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5.10 · The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa

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E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) The illustrious Maharaja Bharata was the emperor of the world. Though an advanced devotee, the emperor unexpectedly became attached to an orphan deer and thus received a similar body in his next life. When we fall prey to distraction and lose our focus, we inadvertently descend into a lower species of life. Because of his spiritual advancement, Bharata could remember the cause of his animal birth. He thus re-dedicated himself to spiritual life and subsequently became Jada Bharata, a great devotee who remained as an aloof mendicant (avadhuta).

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E - Emperor to Deer (7-15)

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) The illustrious Maharaja Bharata was the emperor of the world. Though an advanced devotee, the emperor unexpectedly became attached to an orphan deer and thus received a similar body in his next life. When we fall prey to distraction and lose our focus, we inadvertently descend into a lower species of life. Because of his spiritual advancement, Bharata could remember the cause of his animal birth. He thus re-dedicated himself to spiritual life and subsequently became Jada Bharata, a great devotee who remained as an aloof mendicant (avadhuta).

Previous Knowledge and Devotion Next 1st Life – Emperor Bharata Last updated 1 year ago

1st Life – Emperor Bharata

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) 1st Life – Emperor Bharata Chapter 7 Sukadeva Goswami detailed the history of Rishabhadeva’s most famous son, Bharata. Bharata was a great devotee of the Lord, and when the time was ripe he accepted the position of emperor. After marrying Pancajani, the daughter of Visvarupa, Bharata fathered five sons. The saintly King ruled for many years, during which time he diligently fulfilled his royal duties and performed various sacrifices ( yajnas ) to satisfy the Supreme Lord. His reign was so glorious that the entire world became known as Bharata-varsa. As with all great kings, Bharata Maharaja eventually renounced the kingdom. He went into seclusion to exclusively focus on worshipping his salagram-sila , the Lord’s form found at the Gandaki river. As the days passed, his bhakti grew to new heights and he displayed the unique symptoms of spiritual emotion ( bhava ).

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2nd Life - Emperor to Deer

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) 2nd Life - Emperor to Deer Chapter 8 Once, while meditating, Bharata chanced upon an innocent, gentle deer. Frightened by the roar of a lion, the deer jumped across the river and died in the process, during which time it also gave birth to a baby deer. Bharata’s compassion was awakened, and as he saw that helpless, orphaned deer, he resolved to give it shelter. Over time, his life began to revolve around the deer, so much so that his devotional practices began to slacken. Though he had renounced a kingdom and embraced the path of renunciation, he had now inadvertently become attached to an animal. Once, while searching for the deer, the degree of his attachment became apparent - his mind was filled with memories, anxiety and excessive material affection. When Bharata became sick, the deer appeared beside him. While immersed in thoughts of his beloved dependent, Bharata ended his life and naturally took his next birth as a deer. Due to his spiritual advancement, Bharata, as a deer, remembered his past life. Ashamed by his ignoble fall, he left his mother deer and lived a life of renunciation in the forest. In the seclusion of that holy place, Bharata completed his term of existence in that animal form.

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3rd Life - Deer to Jada Bharata

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) 3rd Life - Deer to Jada Bharata Chapter 9 Bharata next took birth as the son of an advanced brahmana . Fully aware of the powerful influence of illusion ( maya ), Jada Bharata pretended to be deaf and dumb so as to avoid materialistic association and social interaction. When his mother and father died, Jada Bharata was placed under the supervision of his stepbrothers. Though people thought him to be crazy, insulting and exploiting him at every opportunity, Jada Bharata remained absorbed in perfect devotional consciousness and unaffected by such disrespectful behaviour. Once, having been ordered by his evil stepbrothers to guard a paddy field like a scarecrow, Jada Bharata was captured by dacoits. They placed him as a sacrifice before the Goddess Kali and raised a sword to kill him. Kali was infuriated by the mistreatment of such a saintly person. She burst out of the deity, and, taking the chopper in her own hands, killed all the dacoits there!

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Attention!

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Attention! “The laws of nature work in subtle ways unknown to us. Maharaja Bharata was a great king very advanced in devotional service. He had almost reached the point of loving service to the Supreme Lord, but even from that platform he could fall down onto the material platform... Spiritual salvation and liberation from material bondage must be worked out with great caution, otherwise a little discrepancy will cause one to fall down again into material existence. By studying the activities of Maharaja Bharata, we can learn the art of becoming completely freed from all material attachment. As it will be revealed in later verses, Bharata Maharaja had to accept the body of a deer due to being overly compassionate for this infant deer. We should be compassionate by raising one from the material platform to the spiritual platform; otherwise at any moment our spiritual advancement may be spoiled, and we may fall down onto the material platform.” (SB 5.8.7)

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Bloop

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Attention! Bloop Those who embark on the journey towards transcendence are brave indeed. They strive for purity in a world of degradation, they embrace simplicity amongst rampant materialism, and they cultivate selflessness in an atmosphere charged with exploitation. Anyone who goes against the grain in such a bold way will undoubtedly be faced with temptation, doubt, ridicule and moments of weakness. Behind the high ideals and expectations of any religious or spiritual tradition, stands the relatively frail and weak aspirant. Lapses and mistakes are to be expected in the life journey of any human, and spiritualists are no exception. Scriptures are replete with accounts of spiritual aspirants who fell victim to material illusion. Once, whilst describing how one gives up spiritual life and falls again into the material pool, Srila Prabhupada imitated the sound of a stone falling into water - ‘Bloop!’ That was it. ‘Bloop’ soon became standard devotee-lingo – to give up one’s spiritual practices was to ‘bloop.’ And when an individual did ‘bloop,’ Srila Prabhupada was extremely pained. He would remind the devotees that one who receives the opportunity of Krishna Consciousness is very fortunate, and one who doesn’t is unfortunate. Those who receive the opportunity, however, but then squander it, are to be considered most unfortunate .

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Casual Causes Casualty

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Attention! Casual Causes Casualty There are serious lessons to be learnt from the incident of Maharaja Bharata. Before discussing them, it’s important to note that great souls may sometimes act in anomalous ways to teach the masses about potential pitfalls. By the example of their own lives they show the severe consequences of transgressing the laws of God and material nature, and ignoring saintly advice and counsel. In Bharata Maharaja’s case, his compassion for the deer was indeed laudable. The difficulty, however, was that he became neglectful and inattentive in his spiritual practices because of that affection. Furthermore, in the seclusion of the forest, there was nobody to correct him or offer constructive feedback and course correction. His example highlights the dangers of distraction. In all aspects of life, the message runs through loud and clear – a casual approach will inevitably produce casualties. We’ll witness this principle constantly playing out in our own life. While ‘casual’ can refer to being relaxed and accommodating, it does also relate to being careless and unconcerned. When being ‘casual’ means we lack serious intention and withhold quality attention, we can predict we’re in for trouble. Modern culture tends towards the casual, and as children of the age, it’s inevitable that we may reflect that in our approach to spiritual life. Most spiritual aspirants are not bad practitioners, but just casual ones. Luke- warm, let’s say. Strict on a few things, and loose on a lot more. We take a bit of this, add a bit of that, ignore the rest, and blend it together with half-hearted attention, and pray it’s the recipe for enlightenment! An attitude survey by the think-tank Theos revealed that about 70% of the British population is neither strictly religious nor strictly non-religious, but rather moving in and out of the undesignated spaces in between. Casual spirituality, however, won’t generate profound existential awakening nor deep spiritual experience. What’s more, casual spirituality leaves room for materialistic desires and illusory ideas to creep in, take root, and eventually wreak havoc. Practising spirituality in a distracted way will cause one to slowly become more and more disinterested. That disinterest will eventually lead to disengagement with the process. On the other hand, attentive spiritual practice will generate attraction. When that attraction matures, it will create genuine, powerful, spontaneous attachment. We may want to pause for thought and question the trajectory of our spiritual journey.

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Deepening our Devotion

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Attention! Deepening our Devotion In Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura’s model of spiritual progress, he outlines the stages from initial faith to pure love of God. To summarise it further, we could boil it down to three broad stages of spirituality:

Identity – sraddha (faith), sadhu-sanga (association) In the beginning, our spirituality is about an identity change. We identify with a new way of life and a fresh community of people, and making that social shift in our life dominates our attention. Our values and principles change, but since we are still in the early stages, many of our activities, habits and desires may remain as they are. Although externally associated with a spiritual process, we may not have fully adopted it internally.

Process – bhajana-kriya (regulation), anartha-nivrtti (purification), nistha (conviction), ruci (attraction)

As we go deeper, we realise that spirituality is more than an identity. Here, we actually embrace the process of transformation and all the ups and downs that go with it. At this stage, along with our values, we make a substantial commitment to devotional service and change our lifestyle and routines. The process is likened to cleaning, and it can be a struggle with determination to work through all the obstacles and issues that appear on the journey. For those who persevere, the heart is cleansed, conviction grows, and one develops a natural attachment to the practices that previously seemed difficult.

Krishna – asakti (connection), bhava (emotion), prema (intoxication)

The process of spiritual life brings one face-to-face with Krishna. Krishna consciousness is not simply aimed at cultivating faith in God but empowering one to dynamically feel His presence at every moment. In these later stages of the journey, that is exactly what happens. Through dedicated, intense practice of the process, the heart is transformed and one reawakens their connection with Krishna. The relationship matures into a deep emotional exchange, after which one arrives at the apex of spiritual life – pure love of God.

Bharata Maharaja was at the stage of ecstatic emotion ( bhava ), yet he fell from his spiritual practice. Thus, the lessons regarding attentive spiritual practice are acutely relevant at every stage of spiritual life. Srila Prabhupada sends out a stern warning: “Spiritual salvation and liberation from material bondage must be worked out with great caution, otherwise a little discrepancy will cause one to fall down again into material existence.” (SB 5.8.7)

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Bharata’s Descendants

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Bharata’s Descendants Chapter 15 The descendants of Maharaja Bharata are described, including King Gaya, who was a perfect monarch and unalloyed devotee.

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Jada Bharata instructs Rahugana

E - Emperor to Deer (7-15) Jada Bharata instructs Rahugana Chapter 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 When the youthful Jada Bharata was enlisted as a palanquin carrier for King Rahugana, instead of protesting the demeaning order, he humbly accepted. There was, however, one slight problem – because Jada Bharata was so careful to avoid stepping on any ants, the palanquin never remained steady! Outraged by his ‘incompetence,’ the King chastised Jada Bharata with vile language and threatened him with punishment. The saintly avadhuta , however, responded with perfect humility, clarity and spirituality and gave deeply philosophical responses to the insults. Humbled and repentant, Rahugana immediately detected the greatness of Jada Bharata and begged forgiveness and guidance. He asked a variety of questions to further understand the deep philosophical import of Jada Bharata’s words. Jada Bharata’s main teachings covered: • The nature of the mind, how it entangles the soul and how to conquer it [ 16 ] • The falsity and temporality of the material world and its identities, in contrast with the eternality of the Lord, His devotees and His abode [ 17 ] • The forest of material enjoyment – an allegory to explain how the conditioned soul enters this world with the selfish, enjoying spirit, but is then attacked, plundered, injured, illusioned and completely victimised by different aspects of the material world [ 18 ] Jada Bharata thus concluded his profound dissemination of knowledge and encouraged the appreciative King Rahugana to perfect his life and cross the ocean of material existence.

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— S.B. Keshava Swami, Book Bhagavata

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.1

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శ్రీశుక ఉవాచ అథ సిన్ధుసౌవీరపతే రహూగణస్య వ్రజత ఇక్షుమత్యాస్తటే తత్కులపతినా శిబికావాహపురుషాన్వేషణసమయే దైవేనోపసాదిత: స ద్విజవర ఉపలబ్ధ ఏష పీవా యువా సంహననాఙ్గో గోఖరవద్ధురం వోఢుమలమితి పూర్వవిష్టిగృహీతై: సహ గృహీత: ప్రసభమతదర్హ ఉవాహ శిబికాం స మహానుభావ: ॥ ౧ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca
[shree-shuka uvaacha]
atha sindhu-sauvīra-pate rahūgaṇasya vrajata ikṣumatyās taṭe tat-kula-patinā śibikā-vāha-puruṣānveṣaṇa-samaye daivenopasāditaḥ sa dvija-vara upalabdha eṣa pīvā yuvā saṁhananāṅgo go-kharavad dhuraṁ voḍhum alam iti pūrva-viṣṭi-gṛhītaiḥ saha gṛhītaḥ prasabham atad-arha uvāha śibikāṁ sa mahānubhāvaḥ.
[atha sindhu-sauveera-pate rahooganasya vrajata ikshumatyaas tate tat-kula-patinaa shibikaa-vaaha-purushaanveshana-samaye daivenopasaaditah sa dvija-vara upalabdha esha peevaa yuvaa samhananaango go-kharavad dhuram vodhum alam iti poorva-vishti-griheetaih saha griheetah prasabham atad-arha uvaaha shibikaam sa mahaanubhaavah.]
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued to speak atha — thus sindhu-sauvīra-pateḥ — of the ruler of the states known as Sindhu and Sauvīra rahū-gaṇasya — the King known as Rahūgaṇa vrajataḥ — while going (to the āśrama of Kapila) ikṣu-matyāḥ taṭe — on the bank of the river known as Ikṣumatī tat-kula-patinā — by the leader of the palanquin carriers śibikā-vāha — to become a carrier of the palanquin puruṣa-anveṣaṇa-samaye — at the time of searching for a man daivena — by chance upasāditaḥ — led near saḥ — that dvija-varaḥ — Jaḍa Bharata, the son of a brāhmaṇa upalabdhaḥ — obtained eṣaḥ — this man pīvā — very strong and stout yuvā — young saṁhanana-aṅgaḥ — having very firm limbs go-khara-vat — like a cow or an ass dhuram — a load voḍhum — to carry alam — able iti — thus thinking pūrva-viṣṭi-gṛhītaiḥ — others who were formerly forced to do the task saha — with gṛhītaḥ — being taken prasabham — by force a-tat-arhaḥ — although not fit for carrying the palanquin uvāha — carried śibikām — the palanquin saḥ — he mahā-anubhāvaḥ — a great soul.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-śuka uvāca
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued to speak
atha sindhu-sauvīra-pate rahūgaṇasya vrajata ikṣumatyās taṭe tat-kula-patinā śibikā-vāha-puruṣānveṣaṇa-samaye daivenopasāditaḥ sa dvija-vara upalabdha eṣa pīvā yuvā saṁhananāṅgo go-kharavad dhuraṁ voḍhum alam iti pūrva-viṣṭi-gṛhītaiḥ saha gṛhītaḥ prasabham atad-arha uvāha śibikāṁ sa mahānubhāvaḥ.
atha
thus
sindhu-sauvīra-pateḥ
of the ruler of the states known as Sindhu and Sauvīra
rahū-gaṇasya
the King known as Rahūgaṇa
vrajataḥ
while going (to the āśrama of Kapila)
ikṣu-matyāḥ taṭe
on the bank of the river known as Ikṣumatī
tat-kula-patinā
by the leader of the palanquin carriers
śibikā-vāha
to become a carrier of the palanquin
puruṣa-anveṣaṇa-samaye
at the time of searching for a man
daivena
by chance
upasāditaḥ
led near
saḥ
that
dvija-varaḥ
Jaḍa Bharata, the son of a brāhmaṇa
upalabdhaḥ
obtained
eṣaḥ
this man
pīvā
very strong and stout
yuvā
young
saṁhanana-aṅgaḥ
having very firm limbs
go-khara-vat
like a cow or an ass
dhuram
a load
voḍhum
to carry
alam
able
iti
thus thinking
pūrva-viṣṭi-gṛhītaiḥ
others who were formerly forced to do the task
saha
with
gṛhītaḥ
being taken
prasabham
by force
a-tat-arhaḥ
although not fit for carrying the palanquin
uvāha
carried
śibikām
the palanquin
saḥ
he
mahā-anubhāvaḥ
a great soul.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: My dear King, after this, King Rahūgaṇa, ruler of the states known as Sindhu and Sauvīra, was going to Kapilāśrama. When the King’s chief palanquin carriers reached the banks of the river Ikṣumatī, they needed another carrier. Therefore they began searching for someone, and by chance they came upon Jaḍa Bharata. They considered the fact that Jaḍa Bharata was very young and strong and had firm limbs. Like cows and asses, he was quite fit to carry loads. Thinking in this way, although the great soul Jaḍa Bharata was unfit for such work, they nonetheless unhesitatingly forced him to carry the palanquin.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
While the King of Sindhu and Suvīra, Rahūgana, was traveling on the bank of the Ikṣūmatī River and the leader of his palanquin bearers was searching for extra bearer, by chance they came upon Bharata, best of the brāhmaṇas, who had arrived there. He was well nourished, young, and strong like a bull or donkey. Thinking that he was suitable to carry the load, they forcibly engaged that great devotee along with the other carriers who were also engaged by force. The great devotee, though not proper for such a job, carried the palanquin of the King. The Tenth Chapter describes how King Rahūgana, understanding that the foul words he used to describe the carrier of the palanquin were not suitable for a great sage, got down from the palanquin and praised Bharata. Bharata gave mercy to his brothers and neighbors who maintained him with rice and oil cakes, even though they were materialists filled with rajo-guṇa, by letting them see his form for a considerable period of time. He also gave mercy to the leader of the thieves, even though he was in deep tamo-guna, attached to sinful activities, and had beaten Bharata, because he arranged for thief’s liberation in the next life because he saw himself and Kālī directly. And he gave mercy to King Rahūgana who was in sattva-guṇa, being a jṣānī, even though the King made him carry the palanquin through a manifestation of rajo-guṇa suitable to the position of a king. Because the King did not show rajas or tamas, and shows sattva, Bharata revealed bhakti and jṣāna to the King. He did not reveal this to his brothers or the thieves. The story begins in order to reveal this. It should be explained that though, as paramahaṁsa, one should see everything equally, mercy manifests from one’s being a great devotee. Some say the story is told to explain how, by the mercy of the Lord, Bharata’s own bhakti, jṣāna and vairāgya were multiplied a hundred times. Rahūgana was King the states of Sindhu and Sauvīra. The leader of the carriers (tat-kula-patinā) was searching for another carrier. Bharata had well-nourished limbs and was strong. Thinking that he was capable (alam,) he forcibly engaged him.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.2

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యదా హి ద్విజవరస్యేషుమాత్రావలోకానుగతేర్న సమాహితా పురుషగతిస్తదా విషమగతాం స్వశిబికాం రహూగణ ఉపధార్య పురుషానధివహత ఆహ హే వోఢార: సాధ్వతిక్రమత కిమితి విషమముహ్యతే యానమితి ॥ ౨ ॥
yadā hi dvija-varasyeṣu-mātrāvalokānugater na samāhitā puruṣa-gatis tadā viṣama-gatāṁ sva-śibikāṁ rahūgaṇa upadhārya puruṣān adhivahata āha he voḍhāraḥ sādhv atikramata kim iti viṣamam uhyate yānam iti.
[yadaa hi dvija-varasyeshu-maatraavalokaanugater na samaahitaa purusha-gatis tadaa vishama-gataam sva-shibikaam rahoogana upadhaarya purushaan adhivahata aaha he vodhaarah saadhv atikramata kim iti vishamam uhyate yaanam iti.]
yadā — when hi — certainly dvija-varasya — of Jaḍa Bharata iṣu-mātra — the measurement of an arrow (three feet) ahead avaloka-anugateḥ — from moving only after glancing na samāhitā — not united puruṣa-gatiḥ — the movement of the carriers tadā — at that time viṣama-gatām — becoming uneven sva-śibikām — his own palanquin rahūgaṇaḥ — King Rahūgaṇa upadhārya — understanding puruṣān — unto the men adhivahataḥ — who were carrying the palanquin āha — said he — oh voḍhāraḥ — carriers of the palanquin sādhu atikramata — please walk evenly so that there will not be bouncing kim iti — for what reason viṣamam — uneven uhyate — is being carried yānam — the palanquin iti — thus.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
yadā hi dvija-varasyeṣu-mātrāvalokānugater na samāhitā puruṣa-gatis tadā viṣama-gatāṁ sva-śibikāṁ rahūgaṇa upadhārya puruṣān adhivahata āha he voḍhāraḥ sādhv atikramata kim iti viṣamam uhyate yānam iti.
yadā
when
hi
certainly
dvija-varasya
of Jaḍa Bharata
iṣu-mātra
the measurement of an arrow (three feet) ahead
avaloka-anugateḥ
from moving only after glancing
na samāhitā
not united
puruṣa-gatiḥ
the movement of the carriers
tadā
at that time
viṣama-gatām
becoming uneven
sva-śibikām
his own palanquin
rahūgaṇaḥ
King Rahūgaṇa
upadhārya
understanding
puruṣān
unto the men
adhivahataḥ
who were carrying the palanquin
āha
said
he
oh
voḍhāraḥ
carriers of the palanquin
sādhu atikramata
please walk evenly so that there will not be bouncing
kim iti
for what reason
viṣamam
uneven
uhyate
is being carried
yānam
the palanquin
iti
thus.
The palanquin, however, was very erratically carried by Jaḍa Bharata due to his sense of nonviolence. As he stepped forward, he checked before him every three feet to see whether he was about to step on ants. Consequently he could not keep pace with the other carriers. Due to this, the palanquin was shaking, and King Rahūgaṇa immediately asked the carriers, “Why are you carrying this palanquin unevenly? Better carry it properly.”

Although Jaḍa Bharata was forced to carry the palanquin, he did not give up his sympathetic feelings toward the poor ants passing on the road. A devotee of the Lord does not forget his devotional service and other favorable activities, even when he is in a most distressful condition. Jaḍa Bharata was a qualified brāhmaṇa, highly elevated in spiritual knowledge, yet he was forced to carry the palanquin. He did not mind this, but while walking on the road, he could not forget his duty to avoid killing even an ant. A Vaiṣṇava is never envious or unnecessarily violent. There were many ants on the path, but Jaḍa Bharata took care by looking ahead three feet. When the ants were no longer in his way, he would place his foot on the ground. A Vaiṣṇava is always very kind at heart to all living entities. In His sāṅkhya-yoga, Lord Kapiladeva explains: suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām. Living entities assume different bodily forms. Those who are not Vaiṣṇavas consider only human society worthy of their sympathy, but Kṛṣṇa claims to be the supreme father of all life forms. Consequently the Vaiṣṇava takes care not to annihilate untimely or unnecessarily any life form. All living entities have to fulfill a certain duration for being encaged in a particular type of material body. They have to finish the duration allotted a particular body before being promoted or evolved to another body. Killing an animal or any other living being simply places an impediment in the way of his completing his term of imprisonment in a certain body. One should therefore not kill bodies for one’s sense gratification, for this will implicate one in sinful activity.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
When the movements of the bearers became disarrayed because Bharata moved only after looking three feet ahead, the King realized that the palanquin was moving irregularly. He spoke to the men carrying the palanquin. “O carriers! Walk correctly. Why is the palanquin moving unevenly?” Bharata moved only after glancing three feet ahead to avoid violence to ants. The movement of the men was not synchronized.
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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.3

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అథ త ఈశ్వరవచ: సోపాలమ్భముపాకర్ణ్యోపాయతురీయాచ్ఛఙ్కితమనసస్తం విజ్ఞాపయాంబభూవు: ॥ ౩ ॥
atha ta īśvara-vacaḥ sopālambham upākarṇyopāya-turīyāc chaṅkita-manasas taṁ vijṣāpayāṁ babhūvuḥ.
[atha ta eeshvara-vachah sopaalambham upaakarnyopaaya-tureeyaach chankita-manasas tam vijshaapayaam babhoovuh.]
atha — thus te — they (the carriers of the palanquin) īśvara-vacaḥ — the words of the master, King Rahūgaṇa sa-upālambham — with reproach upākarṇya — hearing upāya — the means turīyāt — from the fourth one śaṅkita-manasaḥ — whose minds were afraid tam — him (the King) vijṣāpayām babhūvuḥ — informed.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
atha ta īśvara-vacaḥ sopālambham upākarṇyopāya-turīyāc chaṅkita-manasas taṁ vijṣāpayāṁ babhūvuḥ.
atha
thus
te
they (the carriers of the palanquin)
īśvara-vacaḥ
the words of the master, King Rahūgaṇa
sa-upālambham
with reproach
upākarṇya
hearing
upāya
the means
turīyāt
from the fourth one
śaṅkita-manasaḥ
whose minds were afraid
tam
him (the King)
vijṣāpayām babhūvuḥ
informed.
When the palanquin carriers heard the threatening words of Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa, they became very afraid of his punishment and began to speak to him as follows.

According to political science, a king sometimes tries to pacify his subordinates, sometimes chastises them, sometimes divides them and sometimes rewards them. In this way the king rules his subordinates. The bearers of the palanquin could understand that the King was angry and that he would chastise them.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Hearing the censuring words of their master, the carriers became afraid of punishment and informed him as follows. The carriers heard abusive (sopālambham) words of the King (īśvara). The fourth method among sāma, dāna, bheda and daṇḍa is punishment.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.4

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న వయం నరదేవ ప్రమత్తా భవన్నియమానుపథా: సాధ్వేవ వహామ: అయమధునైవ నియుక్తోఽపి న ద్రుతం వ్రజతి నానేన సహ వోఢుము హ వయం పారయామ ఇతి ॥ ౪ ॥
na vayaṁ nara-deva pramattā bhavan-niyamānupathāḥ sādhv eva vahāmaḥ. ayam adhunaiva niyukto ’pi na drutaṁ vrajati nānena saha voḍhum u ha vayaṁ pārayāma iti.
[na vayam nara-deva pramattaa bhavan-niyamaanupathaah saadhv eva vahaamah. ayam adhunaiva niyukto ’pi na drutam vrajati naanena saha vodhum u ha vayam paarayaama iti.]
na — not vayam — we nara-deva — O lord among human beings (the king is supposed to be the representative of deva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead) pramattāḥ — neglectful in our duties bhavat-niyama-anupathāḥ — who are always obedient to your order sādhu — properly eva — certainly vahāmaḥ — we are carrying ayam — this man adhunā — just recently eva — indeed niyuktaḥ — being engaged to work with us api — although na — not drutam — very quickly vrajati — works na — not anena — him saha — with voḍhum — to carry u ha — oh vayam — we pārayāmaḥ — are able iti — thus.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
na vayaṁ nara-deva pramattā bhavan-niyamānupathāḥ sādhv eva vahāmaḥ. ayam adhunaiva niyukto ’pi na drutaṁ vrajati nānena saha voḍhum u ha vayaṁ pārayāma iti.
na
not
vayam
we
nara-deva
O lord among human beings (the king is supposed to be the representative of deva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead)
pramattāḥ
neglectful in our duties
bhavat-niyama-anupathāḥ
who are always obedient to your order
sādhu
properly
eva
certainly
vahāmaḥ
we are carrying
ayam
this man
adhunā
just recently
eva
indeed
niyuktaḥ
being engaged to work with us
api
although
na
not
drutam
very quickly
vrajati
works
na
not
anena
him
saha
with
voḍhum
to carry
u ha
oh
vayam
we
pārayāmaḥ
are able
iti
thus.
O lord, please note that we are not at all negligent in discharging our duties. We have been faithfully carrying this palanquin according to your desire, but this man who has been recently engaged to work with us cannot walk very swiftly. Therefore we are not able to carry the palanquin with him.

The other palanquin carriers were śūdras, whereas Jaḍa Bharata was not only a high-caste brāhmaṇa but also a great devotee. Śūdras do not sympathize with other living beings, but a Vaiṣṇava cannot act like a śūdra. Whenever a śūdra and a brāhmaṇa Vaiṣṇava are combined, there will certainly be imbalance in the execution of duties. The śūdras were walking with the palanquin without at all caring for the ants on the ground, but Jaḍa Bharata could not act like a śūdra, and therefore difficulty arose.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! We have not been inattentive and, following your orders, have been carrying properly. But the man who has now been engaged does not walk quickly. We are not able to carry the palanquin with him. We are not inattentive, but follow your orders.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.5

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సాంసర్గికో దోష ఏవ నూనమేకస్యాపి సర్వేషాం సాంసర్గికాణాం భవితుమర్హతీతి నిశ్చిత్య నిశమ్య కృపణవచో రాజా రహూగణ ఉపాసితవృద్ధోఽపి నిసర్గేణ బలాత్కృత ఈషదుత్థితమన్యురవిస్పష్టబ్రహ్మతేజసం జాతవేదసమివ రజసాఽఽవృతమతిరాహ ॥ ౫ ॥
sāṁsargiko doṣa eva nūnam ekasyāpi sarveṣāṁ sāṁsargikāṇāṁ bhavitum arhatīti niścitya niśamya kṛpaṇa-vaco rājā rahūgaṇa upāsita-vṛddho ’pi nisargeṇa balāt kṛta īṣad-utthita-manyur avispaṣṭa-brahma-tejasaṁ jāta-vedasam iva rajasāvṛta-matir āha.
[saamsargiko dosha eva noonam ekasyaapi sarveshaam saamsargikaanaam bhavitum arhateeti nishchitya nishamya kripana-vacho raajaa rahoogana upaasita-vriddho ’pi nisargena balaat krita eeshad-utthita-manyur avispashta-brahma-tejasam jaata-vedasam iva rajasaavrita-matir aaha.]
sāṁsargikaḥ — resulting from intimate association doṣaḥ — a fault eva — indeed nūnam — certainly ekasya — of one api — although sarveṣām — of all other sāṁsargikāṇām — persons associated with him bhavitum — to become arhati — is able iti — thus niścitya — ascertaining niśamya — by hearing kṛpaṇa-vacaḥ — the words of the poor servants, who were very afraid of being punished rājā — the King rahūgaṇaḥ — Rahūgaṇa upāsita-vṛddhaḥ — having served and heard from many elderly sages api — in spite of nisargeṇa — by his personal nature, which was that of a kṣatriya balāt — by force kṛtaḥ — done īṣat — slightly utthita — awakened manyuḥ — whose anger avispaṣṭa — not being distinctly visible brahma-tejasam — his (Jaḍa Bharata’s) spiritual effulgence jāta-vedasam — a fire covered by ashes in Vedic ritualistic ceremonies iva — like rajasā āvṛta — covered by the mode of passion matiḥ — whose mind āha — said.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sāṁsargiko doṣa eva nūnam ekasyāpi sarveṣāṁ sāṁsargikāṇāṁ bhavitum arhatīti niścitya niśamya kṛpaṇa-vaco rājā rahūgaṇa upāsita-vṛddho ’pi nisargeṇa balāt kṛta īṣad-utthita-manyur avispaṣṭa-brahma-tejasaṁ jāta-vedasam iva rajasāvṛta-matir āha.
sāṁsargikaḥ
resulting from intimate association
doṣaḥ
a fault
eva
indeed
nūnam
certainly
ekasya
of one
api
although
sarveṣām
of all other
sāṁsargikāṇām
persons associated with him
bhavitum
to become
arhati
is able
iti
thus
niścitya
ascertaining
niśamya
by hearing
kṛpaṇa-vacaḥ
the words of the poor servants, who were very afraid of being punished
rājā
the King
rahūgaṇaḥ
Rahūgaṇa
upāsita-vṛddhaḥ
having served and heard from many elderly sages
api
in spite of
nisargeṇa
by his personal nature, which was that of a kṣatriya
balāt
by force
kṛtaḥ
done
īṣat
slightly
utthita
awakened
manyuḥ
whose anger
avispaṣṭa
not being distinctly visible
brahma-tejasam
his (Jaḍa Bharata’s) spiritual effulgence
jāta-vedasam
a fire covered by ashes in Vedic ritualistic ceremonies
iva
like
rajasā āvṛta
covered by the mode of passion
matiḥ
whose mind
āha
said.
King Rahūgaṇa could understand the speeches given by the carriers, who were afraid of being punished. He could also understand that simply due to the fault of one person, the palanquin was not being carried properly. Knowing this perfectly well and hearing their appeal, he became a little angry, although he was very advanced in political science and was very experienced. His anger arose due to his inborn nature as a king. Actually King Rahūgaṇa’s mind was covered by the mode of passion, and he therefore spoke as follows to Jaḍa Bharata, whose Brahman effulgence was not clearly visible, being covered like a fire covered by ashes.

The distinction between rajo-guṇa and sattva-guṇa is explained in this verse. Although the King was very upright and advanced in political science and governmental management, he was nonetheless in the mode of passion, and therefore, due to a slight agitation, he became angry. Jaḍa Bharata, despite all kinds of injustice endured because of his deaf and dumb display, remained silent by the strength of his spiritual advancement. Nonetheless his brahma-tejaḥ, his Brahman effulgence, was indistinctly visible in his person.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Hearing the words of his servants and understanding that the fault of one person will lead to a fault in all persons in a group, became a little angry because of his nature, and fell under its control, even though he had received knowledge from sages. His mind covered by passion, he spoke to Bharata, whose spiritual power was covered, like a fire covered by ashes (jāta-vedasām).
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.6

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అహో కష్టం భ్రాతర్వ్యక్తమురుపరిశ్రాన్తో దీర్ఘమధ్వానమేక ఏవ ఊహివాన్ సుచిరం నాతిపీవా న సంహననాఙ్గో జరసా చోపద్రుతో భవాన్ సఖే నో ఏవాపర ఏతే సఙ్ఘట్టిన ఇతి బహువిప్రలబ్ధోఽప్యవిద్యయా రచితద్రవ్యగుణకర్మాశయస్వచరమకలేవరేఽవస్తుని సంస్థానవిశేషేఽహం మమేత్యనధ్యారోపితమిథ్యాప్రత్యయో బ్రహ్మభూతస్తూష్ణీం శిబికాం పూర్వవదువాహ ॥ ౬ ॥
aho kaṣṭaṁ bhrātar vyaktam uru-pariśrānto dīrgham adhvānam eka eva ūhivān suciraṁ nāti-pīvā na saṁhananāṅgo jarasā copadruto bhavān sakhe no evāpara ete saṅghaṭṭina iti bahu-vipralabdho ’py avidyayā racita-dravya-guṇa-karmāśaya-sva-carama-kalevare ’vastuni saṁsthāna-viśeṣe ’haṁ mamety anadhyāropita-mithyā-pratyayo brahma-bhūtas tūṣṇīṁ śibikāṁ pūrvavad uvāha.
[aho kashtam bhraatar vyaktam uru-parishraanto deergham adhvaanam eka eva oohivaan suchiram naati-peevaa na samhananaango jarasaa chopadruto bhavaan sakhe no evaapara ete sanghattina iti bahu-vipralabdho ’py avidyayaa rachita-dravya-guna-karmaashaya-sva-charama-kalevare ’vastuni samsthaana-visheshe ’ham mamety anadhyaaropita-mithyaa-pratyayo brahma-bhootas tooshneem shibikaam poorvavad uvaaha.]
aho — alas kaṣṭam — how troublesome it is bhrātaḥ — my dear brother vyaktam — clearly uru — very much pariśrāntaḥ — fatigued dīrgham — a long adhvānam — path ekaḥ — alone eva — certainly ūhivān — you have carried su-ciram — for a long time na — not ati-pīvā — very strong and stout na — nor saṁhanana-aṅgaḥ — having a firm, tolerant body jarasā — by old age ca — also upadrutaḥ — disturbed bhavān — yourself sakhe — my friend no eva — not certainly apare — the other ete — all these saṅghaṭṭinaḥ — co-workers iti — thus bahu — very much vipralabdhaḥ — sarcastically criticized api — although avidyayā — by nescience racita — manufactured dravya-guṇa-karma-āśaya — in a combination of material elements, material qualities, and the results of past activities and desires sva-carama-kalevare — in the body, which is moved by the subtle elements (mind, intelligence and ego) avastuni — in such physical things saṁsthāna-viśeṣe — having a particular disposition aham mama — I and mine iti — in this way anadhyāropita — not interposed mithyā — false pratyayaḥ — belief brahma-bhūtaḥ — who was self-realized, standing on the Brahman platform tūṣṇīm — being silent śibikām — the palanquin pūrva-vat — as before uvāha — carried.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
aho kaṣṭaṁ bhrātar vyaktam uru-pariśrānto dīrgham adhvānam eka eva ūhivān suciraṁ nāti-pīvā na saṁhananāṅgo jarasā copadruto bhavān sakhe no evāpara ete saṅghaṭṭina iti bahu-vipralabdho ’py avidyayā racita-dravya-guṇa-karmāśaya-sva-carama-kalevare ’vastuni saṁsthāna-viśeṣe ’haṁ mamety anadhyāropita-mithyā-pratyayo brahma-bhūtas tūṣṇīṁ śibikāṁ pūrvavad uvāha.
aho
alas
kaṣṭam
how troublesome it is
bhrātaḥ
my dear brother
vyaktam
clearly
uru
very much
pariśrāntaḥ
fatigued
dīrgham
a long
adhvānam
path
ekaḥ
alone
eva
certainly
ūhivān
you have carried
su-ciram
for a long time
na
not
ati-pīvā
very strong and stout
na
nor
saṁhanana-aṅgaḥ
having a firm, tolerant body
jarasā
by old age
ca
also
upadrutaḥ
disturbed
bhavān
yourself
sakhe
my friend
no eva
not certainly
apare
the other
ete
all these
saṅghaṭṭinaḥ
co-workers
iti
thus
bahu
very much
vipralabdhaḥ
sarcastically criticized
api
although
avidyayā
by nescience
racita
manufactured
dravya-guṇa-karma-āśaya
in a combination of material elements, material qualities, and the results of past activities and desires
sva-carama-kalevare
in the body, which is moved by the subtle elements (mind, intelligence and ego)
avastuni
in such physical things
saṁsthāna-viśeṣe
having a particular disposition
aham mama
I and mine
iti
in this way
anadhyāropita
not interposed
mithyā
false
pratyayaḥ
belief
brahma-bhūtaḥ
who was self-realized, standing on the Brahman platform
tūṣṇīm
being silent
śibikām
the palanquin
pūrva-vat
as before
uvāha
carried.
King Rahūgaṇa told Jaḍa Bharata: How troublesome this is, my dear brother. You certainly appear very fatigued because you have carried this palanquin alone without assistance for a long time and for a long distance. Besides that, due to your old age you have become greatly troubled. My dear friend, I see that you are not very firm, nor very strong and stout. Aren’t your fellow carriers cooperating with you?

In this way the King criticized Jaḍa Bharata with sarcastic words, yet despite being criticized in this way, Jaḍa Bharata had no bodily conception of the situation. He knew that he was not the body, for he had attained his spiritual identity. He was neither fat, lean nor thin, nor had he anything to do with a lump of matter, a combination of the five gross and three subtle elements. He had nothing to do with the material body and its two hands and legs. In other words, he had completely realized his spiritual identity [ahaṁ brahmāsmi]. He was therefore unaffected by this sarcastic criticism from the King. Without saying anything, he continued carrying the palanquin as before.

Jaḍa Bharata was completely liberated. He did not even care when the dacoits attempted to kill his body; he knew that he certainly was not the body. Even if the body were killed, he would not have cared, for he was thoroughly convinced of the proposition found in Bhagavad-gītā (2.20) : na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre. He knew that he could not be killed even if his body were killed. Although he did not protest, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His agent could not tolerate the injustice of the dacoits; therefore he was saved by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and the dacoits were killed. In this case, while carrying the palanquin, he also knew that he was not the body. This body was very strong and stout, in sound condition and quite competent to carry the palanquin. Due to his being freed from the bodily conception, the sarcastic words of the King did not at all affect him. The body is created according to one’s karma, and material nature supplies the ingredients for the development of a certain type of body. The soul the body covers is different from the bodily construction; therefore anything favorable or mischievous done to the body does not affect the spirit soul. The Vedic injunction is asaṅgo hy ayaṁ puruṣaḥ: the spirit soul is always unaffected by material arrangements.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O brother! It is clearly difficult. You are very tired. You have traveled a long path. For a long time you are carrying this load alone. You are not healthy and do not have strong limbs. You are afflicted by old age. O friend! The other workers do not cooperate with you. In this way, though abused badly, Bharata continued to carry the palanquin silently, since he was situated in brahma-bhūta, and was not covered by the false conception of I and mine in his final body not made of the gross elements, senses, karma, and antaḥkaraṇa, not produced by māyā—a body which was real, belonging to Vaikuṇṭha. The King addressed him as brother with sarcasm. Saṅghaṭtinaḥ means associates. By taking the opposite meaning of the words, the King criticized Bharata. You are not tired, because you have just started carrying the palanquin. You are well-nourished with strong limbs, and you are young. Are you showing deceit to me, the King, by saying “I cannot carry the palanquin in a regular way with these other carriers” even though they are moving in unison? Though he was abused, he remained silent and continued to carry the palanquin. The reason is given. He was not covered with a false conception of I and mind in his final body made of the five gross elements, the senses, pious and sinful results, and the antaḥkaraṇa, which was insubstantial since he had no relationship with it, though it was real. He had attained brahma-bhūtaḥ. Actually Bharata, like Śukadeva, had a spiritual body which was not destructible. It was eternal. Because of the arousal of prema at this time, he actually did not have possessiveness for anything except the Lord. However, because of not attaining direct service to the Lord in that body at that moment, he manifested humility produced from increased longing, and therefore did not want to offer his sense of “I” to the Lord. Because of this, Bharata made a show of having a material body, even though he was full of knowledge. Therefore Śukadeva also describes him as if he had a material body, if one takes the superficial meaning of the words. The last phrase appears to mean “ in his final body made of the gross elements, senses, karma, and antaḥkaraṇa, produced by māyā—a body which was insubstantial, though having a particular appearance.” However, it should be explained that his real opinion is that Bharata had a spiritual body. Thus the phrase avidyayāracita-dravya-guuṇa-karmāśaya-sva-carama-kalevare actually means “in his eternal body that remained after all previous bodies had been destroyed, which was not made of (avidyā aracita) material elements, senses, karma and antaḥkaraṇa.” Or svacarame can mean be su acarame kalevare, an exalted body. Instead of avastuni, the word can be vastuni, with no sandhi. Then it means the body was absolute, since it was devoid of prārabdha-karma. That body possessed Vaikuṇṭha-loka (saṁsthāna-viśeṣe). He simply acted like a material person out of humility arising from prema. He had no sense of identification with me and mine.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.7

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అథ పున: స్వశిబికాయాం విషమగతాయాం ప్రకుపిత ఉవాచ రహూగణ: కిమిదమరే త్వం జీవన్మృతో మాం కదర్థీకృత్య భర్తృశాసనమతిచరసి ప్రమత్తస్య చ తే కరోమి చికిత్సాం దణ్డపాణిరివ జనతాయా యథా ప్రకృతిం స్వాం భజిష్యస ఇతి ॥ ౭ ॥
atha punaḥ sva-śibikāyāṁ viṣama-gatāyāṁ prakupita uvāca rahūgaṇaḥ kim idam are tvaṁ jīvan-mṛto māṁ kadarthī-kṛtya bhartṛ-śāsanam aticarasi pramattasya ca te karomi cikitsāṁ daṇḍa-pāṇir iva janatāyā yathā prakṛtiṁ svāṁ bhajiṣyasa iti.
[atha punah sva-shibikaayaam vishama-gataayaam prakupita uvaacha rahooganah kim idam are tvam jeevan-mrito maam kadarthee-kritya bhartri-shaasanam aticharasi pramattasya cha te karomi chikitsaam danda-paanir iva janataayaa yathaa prakritim svaam bhajishyasa iti.]
atha — thereafter punaḥ — again sva-śibikāyām — in his own palanquin viṣama-gatāyām — being unevenly carried because of Jaḍa Bharata’s not walking properly prakupitaḥ — becoming very angry uvāca — said rahūgaṇaḥ — King Rahūgaṇa kim idam — what is this nonsense are — O fool tvam — you jīvat — living mṛtaḥ — dead mām — me kat-arthī-kṛtya — neglecting bhartṛ-śāsanam — chastisement by the master aticarasi — you are overstepping pramattasya — who are almost crazy ca — also te — your karomi — I shall do cikitsām — proper treatment daṇḍa-pāṇiḥ iva — like Yamarāja janatāyāḥ — of the people in general yathā — so that prakṛtim — natural position svām — your own bhajiṣyase — you will take to iti — thus.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
atha punaḥ sva-śibikāyāṁ viṣama-gatāyāṁ prakupita uvāca rahūgaṇaḥ kim idam are tvaṁ jīvan-mṛto māṁ kadarthī-kṛtya bhartṛ-śāsanam aticarasi pramattasya ca te karomi cikitsāṁ daṇḍa-pāṇir iva janatāyā yathā prakṛtiṁ svāṁ bhajiṣyasa iti.
atha
thereafter
punaḥ
again
sva-śibikāyām
in his own palanquin
viṣama-gatāyām
being unevenly carried because of Jaḍa Bharata’s not walking properly
prakupitaḥ
becoming very angry
uvāca
said
rahūgaṇaḥ
King Rahūgaṇa
kim idam
what is this nonsense
are
O fool
tvam
you
jīvat
living
mṛtaḥ
dead
mām
me
kat-arthī-kṛtya
neglecting
bhartṛ-śāsanam
chastisement by the master
aticarasi
you are overstepping
pramattasya
who are almost crazy
ca
also
te
your
karomi
I shall do
cikitsām
proper treatment
daṇḍa-pāṇiḥ iva
like Yamarāja
janatāyāḥ
of the people in general
yathā
so that
prakṛtim
natural position
svām
your own
bhajiṣyase
you will take to
iti
thus.
Thereafter, when the King saw that his palanquin was still being shaken by the carriers, he became very angry and said: You rascal, what are you doing? Are you dead despite the life within your body? Do you not know that I am your master? You are disregarding me and are not carrying out my order. For this disobedience I shall now punish you just as Yamarāja, the superintendent of death, punishes sinful people. I shall give you proper treatment so that you will come to your senses and do the correct thing.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Thereafter, when the King saw that his palanquin was still being shaken by the carriers, he became very angry and said, “You fool, what are you doing? Are you dead despite the life within your body? You are disregarding me and are not carrying out my order. I have a remedy for your inattention, just as Yamarāja punishes the people in general, so that you will come to your senses.”
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.8

↗
ఏవం బహ్వబద్ధమపి భాషమాణం నరదేవాభిమానం రజసా తమసానువిద్ధేన మదేన తిరస్కృతాశేషభగవత్ప్రియనికేతం పణ్డితమానినం స భగవాన్ బ్రాహ్మణో బ్రహ్మభూతసర్వభూతసుహృదాత్మా యోగేశ్వరచర్యాయాం నాతివ్యుత్పన్నమతిం స్మయమాన ఇవ విగతస్మయ ఇదమాహ ॥ ౮ ॥
evaṁ bahv abaddham api bhāṣamāṇaṁ nara-devābhimānaṁ rajasā tamasānuviddhena madena tiraskṛtāśeṣa-bhagavat-priya-niketaṁ paṇḍita-māninaṁ sa bhagavān brāhmaṇo brahma-bhūta-sarva-bhūta-suhṛd-ātmā yogeśvara-caryāyāṁ nāti-vyutpanna-matiṁ smayamāna iva vigata-smaya idam āha.
[evam bahv abaddham api bhaashamaanam nara-devaabhimaanam rajasaa tamasaanuviddhena madena tiraskritaashesha-bhagavat-priya-niketam pandita-maaninam sa bhagavaan braahmano brahma-bhoota-sarva-bhoota-suhrid-aatmaa yogeshvara-charyaayaam naati-vyutpanna-matim smayamaana iva vigata-smaya idam aaha.]
evam — in this way bahu — much abaddham — nonsensical api — although bhāṣamāṇam — talking nara-deva-abhimānam — King Rahūgaṇa, who thought himself the ruler rajasā — by the material mode of passion tamasā — as well as by the mode of ignorance anuviddhena — being increased madena — by madness tiraskṛta — who rebuked aśeṣa — innumerable bhagavat-priya-niketam — devotees of the Lord paṇḍita-māninam — considering himself a very learned scholar saḥ — that bhagavān — spiritually most powerful (Jaḍa Bharata) brāhmaṇaḥ — a fully qualified brāhmaṇa brahma-bhūta — fully self-realized sarva-bhūta-suhṛt-ātmā — who was thus the friend of all living entities yoga-īśvara — of the most advanced mystic yogīs caryāyām — in the behavior na ati-vyutpanna-matim — unto King Rahūgaṇa, who was not actually experienced smayamānaḥ — slightly smiling iva — like vigata-smayaḥ — who was relieved from all material pride idam — this āha — spoke.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
evaṁ bahv abaddham api bhāṣamāṇaṁ nara-devābhimānaṁ rajasā tamasānuviddhena madena tiraskṛtāśeṣa-bhagavat-priya-niketaṁ paṇḍita-māninaṁ sa bhagavān brāhmaṇo brahma-bhūta-sarva-bhūta-suhṛd-ātmā yogeśvara-caryāyāṁ nāti-vyutpanna-matiṁ smayamāna iva vigata-smaya idam āha.
evam
in this way
bahu
much
abaddham
nonsensical
api
although
bhāṣamāṇam
talking
nara-deva-abhimānam
King Rahūgaṇa, who thought himself the ruler
rajasā
by the material mode of passion
tamasā
as well as by the mode of ignorance
anuviddhena
being increased
madena
by madness
tiraskṛta
who rebuked
aśeṣa
innumerable
bhagavat-priya-niketam
devotees of the Lord
paṇḍita-māninam
considering himself a very learned scholar
saḥ
that
bhagavān
spiritually most powerful (Jaḍa Bharata)
brāhmaṇaḥ
a fully qualified brāhmaṇa
brahma-bhūta
fully self-realized
sarva-bhūta-suhṛt-ātmā
who was thus the friend of all living entities
yoga-īśvara
of the most advanced mystic yogīs
caryāyām
in the behavior
na ati-vyutpanna-matim
unto King Rahūgaṇa, who was not actually experienced
smayamānaḥ
slightly smiling
iva
like
vigata-smayaḥ
who was relieved from all material pride
idam
this
āha
spoke.
Thinking himself a king, King Rahūgaṇa was in the bodily conception and was influenced by material nature’s modes of passion and ignorance. Due to madness, he chastised Jaḍa Bharata with uncalled-for and contradictory words. Jaḍa Bharata was a topmost devotee and the dear abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although considering himself very learned, the King did not know about the position of an advanced devotee situated in devotional service, nor did he know his characteristics. Jaḍa Bharata was the residence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; he always carried the form of the Lord within his heart. He was the dear friend of all living beings, and he did not entertain any bodily conception. He therefore smiled and spoke the following words.

The distinction between a person in the bodily conception and a person beyond the bodily conception is presented in this verse. In the bodily conception, King Rahūgaṇa considered himself a king and chastised Jaḍa Bharata in so many unwanted ways. Being self-realized, Jaḍa Bharata, who was fully situated on the transcendental platform, did not at all become angry; instead, he smiled and began to deliver his teachings to King Rahūgaṇa. A highly advanced Vaiṣṇava devotee is a friend to all living entities, and consequently he is a friend to his enemies also. In fact, he does not consider anyone to be his enemy. Suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām. Sometimes a Vaiṣṇava becomes superficially angry at a nondevotee, but this is good for the nondevotee. We have several examples of this in Vedic literature. Once Nārada became angry with the two sons of Kuvera, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva, and he chastised them by turning them into trees. The result was that later they were liberated by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The devotee is situated on the absolute platform, and when he is angry or pleased, there is no difference, for in either case he bestows his benediction.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
In this manner, the King spoke incoherently, thinking himself a king and thinking himself learned, while abusing the perfect devotee, out of pride combined with passion and ignorance. The powerful brāhmaṇa Bharata, with a slight smile and with no pride, then spoke to the King who did not know much about the conduct of a great yogī who was the friend of all beings and who was situated in Brahman. Abaddham means incoherent. Anuviddhena means “mixed with.” The King had criticized the perfect (aśesa) devotee (bhagavat-priya-niketam). Bharata was the very form of being the friend of all beings. This means that he was merciful even to those who offended him. The King thought that he was learned. He had a little knowledge, but thought he knew everything. The King did not know much about the conduct of great yogīs, such as acting dull. Bharata smiled, thinking “The King thinks he is a jṣānī, but he speaks like a fool.” Iva indicates that the smile did not manifest externally. Bharata was without pride in being a jṣānī.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.9

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బ్రాహ్మణ ఉవాచ త్వయోదితం వ్యక్తమవిప్రలబ్ధం భర్తు: స మే స్యాద్యది వీర భార: । గన్తుర్యది స్యాదధిగమ్యమధ్వా పీవేతి రాశౌ న విదాం ప్రవాద: ॥ ౯ ॥
brāhmaṇa uvāca
[braahmana uvaacha]
tvayoditaṁ vyaktam avipralabdhaṁ
[tvayoditam vyaktam avipralabdham]
bhartuḥ sa me syād yadi vīra bhāraḥ
[bhartuh sa me syaad yadi veera bhaarah]
gantur yadi syād adhigamyam adhvā
[gantur yadi syaad adhigamyam adhvaa]
pīveti rāśau na vidāṁ pravādaḥ
[peeveti raashau na vidaam pravaadah]
brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca — the learned brāhmaṇa (Jaḍa Bharata) spoke tvayā — by you uditam — explained vyaktam — very clearly avipralabdham — without contradictions bhartuḥ — of the bearer, the body saḥ — that me — mine syāt — it would have been yadi — if vīra — O great hero (Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa) bhāraḥ — a load gantuḥ — of the mover, also the body yadi — if syāt — it had been adhigamyam — the object to be obtained adhvā — the path pīvā — very stout and strong iti — thus rāśau — in the body na — not vidām — of the self-realized persons pravādaḥ — subject matter for discussion.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
brāhmaṇa uvāca
brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca
the learned brāhmaṇa (Jaḍa Bharata) spoke
tvayoditaṁ vyaktam avipralabdhaṁ
tvayā
by you
uditam
explained
vyaktam
very clearly
avipralabdham
without contradictions
bhartuḥ sa me syād yadi vīra bhāraḥ
bhartuḥ
of the bearer, the body
saḥ
that
me
mine
syāt
it would have been
yadi
if
vīra
O great hero (Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa)
bhāraḥ
a load
gantur yadi syād adhigamyam adhvā
gantuḥ
of the mover, also the body
yadi
if
syāt
it had been
adhigamyam
the object to be obtained
adhvā
the path
pīveti rāśau na vidāṁ pravādaḥ
pīvā
very stout and strong
iti
thus
rāśau
in the body
na
not
vidām
of the self-realized persons
pravādaḥ
subject matter for discussion.
The great brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharata said: My dear King and hero, whatever you have spoken sarcastically is certainly true. Actually these are not simply words of chastisement, for the body is the carrier. The load carried by the body does not belong to me, for I am the spirit soul. There is no contradiction in your statements because I am different from the body. I am not the carrier of the palanquin; the body is the carrier. Certainly, as you have hinted, I have not labored carrying the palanquin, for I am detached from the body. You have said that I am not stout and strong, and these words are befitting a person who does not know the distinction between the body and the soul. The body may be fat or thin, but no learned man would say such things of the spirit soul. As far as the spirit soul is concerned, I am neither fat nor skinny; therefore you are correct when you say that I am not very stout. Also, if the object of this journey and the path leading there were mine, there would be many troubles for me, but because they relate not to me but to my body, there is no trouble at all.

In Bhagavad-gītā it is stated that one who is advanced in spiritual knowledge is not disturbed by the pains and pleasures of the material body. The material body is completely separate from the spirit soul, and the pains and pleasures of the body are superfluous. The practice of austerity and penance is meant for understanding the distinction between the body and the soul and how the soul can be unaffected by the pleasures and pains of the body. Jaḍa Bharata was actually situated on the platform of self-realization. He was completely aloof from the bodily conception; therefore he immediately took this position and convinced the King that whatever contradictory things the King had said about his body did not actually apply to him as a spirit soul.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Bharata said: O King! What you have spoken is clearly without deceit. Only if the burden of the carrier belonged to me, if the destination and path of the traveler belonged to me, would your statements be sarcasm. To say I am well nourished is not the talk of a person in knowledge. I will show mercy to this person who thinks he has knowledge by defeating him with knowledge. This is expressed by contrary statements. You have said that I am not tired and have not come a long way. That is not incorrect. It is not sarcasm. If the burden of the palanquin carrier (bhartuḥ) belonged to me, then it would be sarcasm. Since I am different from my body, I am not the carrier. If the destination of the traveler or the path of the traveler belonged to me, then it would be sarcasm. Calling me well-nourished belongs to the body (raśau) of the living entities. It is not the talk of persons in knowledge. It is true that I am well-nourished, but for me as a conscious soul, it is slander.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.10

↗
స్థౌల్యం కార్శ్యం వ్యాధయ ఆధయశ్చ క్షుత్తృడ్ భయం కలిరిచ్ఛా జరా చ । నిద్రా రతిర్మన్యురహంమద: శుచో దేహేన జాతస్య హి మే న సన్తి ॥ ౧౦ ॥
sthaulyaṁ kārśyaṁ vyādhaya ādhayaś ca
[sthaulyam kaarshyam vyaadhaya aadhayash cha]
kṣut tṛḍ bhayaṁ kalir icchā jarā ca
[kshut trid bhayam kalir ichchaa jaraa cha]
nidrā ratir manyur ahaṁ madaḥ śuco
[nidraa ratir manyur aham madah shucho]
dehena jātasya hi me na santi
[dehena jaatasya hi me na santi]
sthaulyam — being very stout and strong kārśyam — being skinny and weak vyādhayaḥ — the pains of the body, such as disease ādhayaḥ — the pains of the mind ca — and kṣut tṛṭ bhayam — hunger, thirst and fear kaliḥ — quarrels between two persons icchā — desires jarā — old age ca — and nidrā — sleep ratiḥ — attachment for sense gratification manyuḥ — anger aham — false identification (in the bodily concept of life) madaḥ — illusion śucaḥ — lamentation dehena — with this body jātasya — of one who has taken birth hi — certainly me — of me na — not santi — exist.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sthaulyaṁ kārśyaṁ vyādhaya ādhayaś ca
sthaulyam
being very stout and strong
kārśyam
being skinny and weak
vyādhayaḥ
the pains of the body, such as disease
ādhayaḥ
the pains of the mind
ca
and
kṣut tṛḍ bhayaṁ kalir icchā jarā ca
kṣut tṛṭ bhayam
hunger, thirst and fear
kaliḥ
quarrels between two persons
icchā
desires
jarā
old age
ca
and
nidrā ratir manyur ahaṁ madaḥ śuco
nidrā
sleep
ratiḥ
attachment for sense gratification
manyuḥ
anger
aham
false identification (in the bodily concept of life)
madaḥ
illusion
śucaḥ
lamentation
dehena jātasya hi me na santi
dehena
with this body
jātasya
of one who has taken birth
hi
certainly
me
of me
na
not
santi
exist.
Fatness, thinness, bodily and mental distress, thirst, hunger, fear, disagreement, desires for material happiness, old age, sleep, attachment for material possessions, anger, lamentation, illusion and identification of the body with the self are all transformations of the material covering of the spirit soul. A person absorbed in the material bodily conception is affected by these things, but I am free from all bodily conceptions. Consequently I am neither fat nor skinny nor anything else you have mentioned.

Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung: deha-smṛti nāhi yāra, saṁsāra-bandhana kāhāṅ tāra. One who is spiritually advanced has no connection with the body or with the bodily actions and reactions. When one comes to understand that he is not the body and therefore is neither fat nor skinny, one attains the topmost form of spiritual realization. When one is not spiritually realized, the bodily conception entangles one in the material world. At the present moment all human society is laboring under the bodily conception; therefore in the śāstras people in this age are referred to as dvipada-paśu, two-legged animals. No one can be happy in a civilization conducted by such animals. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to raise fallen human society to the status of spiritual understanding. It is not possible for everyone to become immediately self-realized like Jaḍa Bharata. However, as stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.18) : naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā. By spreading the Bhāgavata principles, we can raise human society to the platform of perfection. When one is not affected by the bodily conceptions, one can advance to the Lord’s devotional service.

naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā bhagavaty uttamaśloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī

The more we advance our freedom from the bodily conception, the more we are fixed in devotional service, and the more we are happy and peaceful. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says that those who are too materially affected continue the bodily conception. Such persons are concerned with different bodily symptoms, whereas one freed from bodily conceptions lives without the body even in the material condition.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Strength, thinness, sickness, anxiety, hunger, thirst, fear, dissension, desire, old age, sleep, attachment, anger, false identity, illusion and lamentation belong to a person born with a body. They do not exist for me. Not only am I a well-nourished, but no bodily quality belongs to me. One who is born with a body, the jīva who identifies with a body, certainly has all these qualities. I do not, since I do not identify with the body.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.11

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జీవన్మృతత్వం నియమేన రాజన్ ఆద్యన్తవద్యద్వికృతస్య ద‍ృష్టమ్ । స్వస్వామ్యభావో ధ్రువ ఈడ్య యత్ర తర్హ్యుచ్యతేఽసౌ విధికృత్యయోగ: ॥ ౧౧ ॥
jīvan-mṛtatvaṁ niyamena rājan
[jeevan-mritatvam niyamena raajan]
ādyantavad yad vikṛtasya dṛṣṭam
[aadyantavad yad vikritasya drishtam]
sva-svāmya-bhāvo dhruva īḍya yatra
[sva-svaamya-bhaavo dhruva eedya yatra]
tarhy ucyate ’sau vidhikṛtya-yogaḥ
[tarhy uchyate ’sau vidhikritya-yogah]
jīvat-mṛtatvam — the quality of being dead while living niyamena — by the laws of nature rājan — O King ādi-anta-vat — everything material has a beginning and an end yat — because vikṛtasya — of things that are transformed, such as the body dṛṣṭam — is seen sva-svāmya-bhāvaḥ — the condition of servanthood and mastership dhruvaḥ — unchangeable īḍya — O you who are worshiped yatra — wherein tarhi — then ucyate — it is said asau — that vidhi-kṛtya-yogaḥ — fitness of order and duty.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
jīvan-mṛtatvaṁ niyamena rājan
jīvat-mṛtatvam
the quality of being dead while living
niyamena
by the laws of nature
rājan
O King
ādyantavad yad vikṛtasya dṛṣṭam
ādi-anta-vat
everything material has a beginning and an end
yat
because
vikṛtasya
of things that are transformed, such as the body
dṛṣṭam
is seen
sva-svāmya-bhāvo dhruva īḍya yatra
sva-svāmya-bhāvaḥ
the condition of servanthood and mastership
dhruvaḥ
unchangeable
īḍya
O you who are worshiped
yatra
wherein
tarhy ucyate ’sau vidhikṛtya-yogaḥ
tarhi
then
ucyate
it is said
asau
that
vidhi-kṛtya-yogaḥ
fitness of order and duty.
My dear King, you have unnecessarily accused me of being dead though alive. In this regard, I can only say that this is the case everywhere because everything material has its beginning and end. As far as your thinking that you are the king and master and are thus trying to order me, this is also incorrect because these positions are temporary. Today you are a king and I am your servant, but tomorrow the position may be changed, and you may be my servant and I your master. These are temporary circumstances created by providence.

The bodily conception is the basic principle of suffering in material existence. In Kali-yuga especially, people are so uneducated that they cannot even understand that the body is changing at every moment and that the ultimate change is called death. In this life one may be a king, and in the next life one may be a dog, according to karma. The spirit soul is in a deep slumber caused by the force of material nature. He is put in one type of condition and again changed into another type. Without self-realization and knowledge, conditional life continues, and one falsely claims himself a king, a servant, a cat or a dog. These are simply different transformations brought about by the supreme arrangement. One should not be misled by such temporary bodily conceptions. Actually no one is master within the material world, for everyone is under the control of material nature, which is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the ultimate master. As explained in Caitanya-caritāmṛta, ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya: the only master is Kṛṣṇa, and everyone else is His servant. Forgetfulness of our relationship with the Supreme Lord brings about our suffering in the material world.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! You have said I am living but dead, but this is not so for me only. One sees change everywhere, since there is a beginning and end of all things. You have said that I disregard your order. O King, worthy of worship! When the conditions of servant and master are fixed, then one may say a person is suitable to be engaged in service. You have said that I am living but dead. If you are defining me in terms of bodily identity, then living but being dead do not belong to me only. Everything seen is a transformation, since transformation takes place at every moment, with a beginning and end. You said that I am disobeying the order of the master. The states of servant (sva) and master (svāmya) exist. When these are fixed, then one can say “This person is fit to carry the palanquin.” Ucyate can mean “it is said” or “It is suitable.” If you give up the kingdom and I obtain the kingdom, then I make you carry the palanquin and say “What is this?”
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.12

↗
విశేషబుద్ధేర్వివరం మనాక్ చ పశ్యామ యన్న వ్యవహారతోఽన్యత్ । క ఈశ్వరస్తత్ర కిమీశితవ్యం తథాపి రాజన్ కరవామ కిం తే ॥ ౧౨ ॥
viśeṣa-buddher vivaraṁ manāk ca
[vishesha-buddher vivaram manaak cha]
paśyāma yan na vyavahārato ’nyat
[pashyaama yan na vyavahaarato ’nyat]
ka īśvaras tatra kim īśitavyaṁ
[ka eeshvaras tatra kim eeshitavyam]
tathāpi rājan karavāma kiṁ te
[tathaapi raajan karavaama kim te]
viśeṣa-buddheḥ — of the conception of the distinction between master and servant vivaram — the scope manāk — a little ca — also paśyāmaḥ — I see yat — which na — not vyavahārataḥ — than the temporary usage or convention anyat — other kaḥ — who īśvaraḥ — the master tatra — in this kim — who īśitavyam — is to be controlled tathāpi — nevertheless rājan — O King (if you still think that you are master and I am servant) karavāma — I may do kim — what te — for you.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
viśeṣa-buddher vivaraṁ manāk ca
viśeṣa-buddheḥ
of the conception of the distinction between master and servant
vivaram
the scope
manāk
a little
ca
also
paśyāma yan na vyavahārato ’nyat
paśyāmaḥ
I see
yat
which
na
not
vyavahārataḥ
than the temporary usage or convention
ka īśvaras tatra kim īśitavyaṁ
tathāpi rājan karavāma kiṁ te
anyat
other
kaḥ
who
īśvaraḥ
the master
tatra
in this
kim
who
īśitavyam
is to be controlled
tathāpi
nevertheless
rājan
O King (if you still think that you are master and I am servant)
karavāma
I may do
kim
what
te
for you.
My dear King, if you still think that you are the King and that I am your servant, you should order me, and I should follow your order. I can then say that this differentiation is temporary, and it expands only from usage or convention. I do not see any other cause. In that case, who is the master, and who is the servant? Everyone is being forced by the laws of material nature; therefore no one is master, and no one is servant. Nonetheless, if you think that you are the master and that I am the servant, I shall accept this. Please order me. What can I do for you?

It is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, ahaṁ mameti: One thinks, “I am this body, and in this bodily relationship he is my master, he is my servant, she is my wife, and he is my son.” All these conceptions are temporary due to the inevitable change of body and the arrangement of material nature. We are gathered together like straws floating in the waves of an ocean, straws that are inevitably separated by the laws of the waves. In this material world, everyone is floating on the waves of the ocean of nescience. As described by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura:

( miche ) māyāra vaśe, yāccha bhese’,

khāccha hābuḍubu, bhāi

( jīva ) kṛṣṇa-dāsa, ei viśvāsa,

karle ta’ āra duḥkha nāi

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura states that all men and women are floating like straws on the waves of material nature. If they come to the understanding that they are the eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa, they will put an end to this floating condition. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (3.37) : kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ. Due to the mode of passion, we desire many things, and according to our desire or anxiety and according to the order of the Supreme Lord, material nature gives us a certain type of body. For some time we play as master or servant, as actors play on the stage under someone else’s direction. While we are in the human form, we should put an end to this nonsensical stage performance. We should come to our original constitutional position, known as Kṛṣṇa consciousness. At the present moment, the real master is material nature. Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā ( Bg. 7.14 ). Under the spell of material nature, we are becoming servants and masters, but if we agree to be controlled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His eternal servants, this temporary condition ceases to exist.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Other than convention, I do not at all see any distinction of master and servant. Who is the master and who is the servant? O King! If you think you are a king, what can I do for you? “As long as I am king, I am the master.” I do not see even a little opportunity (vivaram) for distinction of servant and master other than convention. But if you have such an identity, what should I do for you?
Related verses
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.13

↗
ఉన్మత్తమత్తజడవత్స్వసంస్థాం గతస్య మే వీర చికిత్సితేన । అర్థ: కియాన్ భవతా శిక్షితేన స్తబ్ధప్రమత్తస్య చ పిష్టపేష: ॥ ౧౩ ॥
unmatta-matta-jaḍavat sva-saṁsthāṁ
[unmatta-matta-jadavat sva-samsthaam]
gatasya me vīra cikitsitena
[gatasya me veera chikitsitena]
arthaḥ kiyān bhavatā śikṣitena
[arthah kiyaan bhavataa shikshitena]
stabdha-pramattasya ca piṣṭapeṣaḥ
[stabdha-pramattasya cha pishtapeshah]
unmatta — madness matta — a drunkard jaḍa-vat — like a dunce sva-saṁsthām — situation in my original constitutional position gatasya — of one who has obtained me — of me vīra — O King cikitsitena — by your chastisement arthaḥ — the meaning or purpose kiyān — what bhavatā — by you śikṣitena — by being instructed stabdha — dull pramattasya — of a crazy man ca — also piṣṭa-peṣaḥ — like grinding flour.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
unmatta-matta-jaḍavat sva-saṁsthāṁ
unmatta
madness
matta
a drunkard
jaḍa-vat
like a dunce
sva-saṁsthām
situation in my original constitutional position
gatasya me vīra cikitsitena
gatasya
of one who has obtained
me
of me
vīra
O King
cikitsitena
by your chastisement
arthaḥ kiyān bhavatā śikṣitena
arthaḥ
the meaning or purpose
kiyān
what
bhavatā
by you
śikṣitena
by being instructed
stabdha-pramattasya ca piṣṭapeṣaḥ
stabdha
dull
pramattasya
of a crazy man
ca
also
piṣṭa-peṣaḥ
like grinding flour.
My dear King, you have said, “You rascal, you dull, crazy fellow! I am going to chastise you, and then you will come to your senses.” In this regard, let me say that although I live like a dull, deaf and dumb man, I am actually a self-realized person. What will you gain by punishing me? If your calculation is true and I am a madman, then your punishment will be like beating a dead horse. There will be no effect. When a madman is punished, he is not cured of his madness.

Everyone in this material world is working like a madman under certain impressions falsely acquired in the material condition. For example, a thief who knows that stealing is not good and who knows that it is followed with punishment by a king or by God, who has seen that thieves are arrested and punished by the police, nonetheless steals again and again. He is obsessed with the idea that by stealing he will be happy. This is a sign of madness. Despite repeated punishment, the thief cannot give up his stealing habit; therefore the punishment is useless.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O King! What purpose is served by punishing a person who has attained Brahman, but who acts like a madman or a dull person? What is accomplished by punishing a mad person? You have said you will punish me for being inattentive. What do you hope to accomplish by verbally or physically punishing a person who is situated in Brahman (sva-saṁsthām), though he may appear to be mad, for liberated persons do not accept either what is useful or not useful? If I am not liberated but mad and dull (stabdha), by your punishment (śikṣitena) you are grinding what is already ground. Just as by pounding powder you do not recreate a solid object, but finer powder, by punishing the mad person one does not pacify madness, but one makes him more insane.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.14

↗
శ్రీశుక ఉవాచ ఏతావదనువాదపరిభాషయా ప్రత్యుదీర్య మునివర ఉపశమశీల ఉపరతానాత్మ్యనిమిత్త ఉపభోగేన కర్మారబ్ధం వ్యపనయన్ రాజయానమపి తథోవాహ ॥ ౧౪ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca
[shree-shuka uvaacha]
etāvad anuvāda-paribhāṣayā pratyudīrya muni-vara upaśama-śīla uparatānātmya-nimitta upabhogena karmārabdhaṁ vyapanayan rāja-yānam api tathovāha.
[etaavad anuvaada-paribhaashayaa pratyudeerya muni-vara upashama-sheela uparataanaatmya-nimitta upabhogena karmaarabdham vyapanayan raaja-yaanam api tathovaaha.]
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued to speak etāvat — so much anuvāda-paribhāṣayā — by explanatory repetition of words spoken previously by the King pratyudīrya — giving replies one after another muni-varaḥ — great sage Jaḍa Bharata upaśama-śīlaḥ — who was calm and peaceful in character uparata — ceased anātmya — things not related to the soul nimittaḥ — whose cause (ignorance) for identification with things not related to the soul upabhogena — by accepting the consequences of his karma karma-ārabdham — the resultant action now attained vyapanayan — finishing rāja-yānam — the palanquin of the King api — again tathā — as before uvāha — continued to carry.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śrī-śuka uvāca
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued to speak
etāvad anuvāda-paribhāṣayā pratyudīrya muni-vara upaśama-śīla uparatānātmya-nimitta upabhogena karmārabdhaṁ vyapanayan rāja-yānam api tathovāha.
etāvat
so much
anuvāda-paribhāṣayā
by explanatory repetition of words spoken previously by the King
pratyudīrya
giving replies one after another
muni-varaḥ
great sage Jaḍa Bharata
upaśama-śīlaḥ
who was calm and peaceful in character
uparata
ceased
anātmya
things not related to the soul
nimittaḥ
whose cause (ignorance) for identification with things not related to the soul
upabhogena
by accepting the consequences of his karma
karma-ārabdham
the resultant action now attained
vyapanayan
finishing
rāja-yānam
the palanquin of the King
api
again
tathā
as before
uvāha
continued to carry.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, when King Rahūgaṇa chastised the exalted devotee Jaḍa Bharata with harsh words, that peaceful, saintly person tolerated it all and replied properly. Nescience is due to the bodily conception, and Jaḍa Bharata was not affected by this false conception. Out of his natural humility, he never considered himself a great devotee, and he agreed to suffer the results of his past karma. Like an ordinary man, he thought that by carrying the palanquin he was destroying the reactions of his past misdeeds. Thinking in this way, he began to carry the palanquin as before.

An exalted devotee of the Lord never thinks that he is a paramahaṁsa or a liberated person. He always remains a humble servant of the Lord. In all reverse conditions, he agrees to suffer the results of his past life. He never accuses the Lord of putting him into a distressed condition. These are the signs of an exalted devotee. Tat te ’nukampāṁ susamīkṣyamāṇaḥ. When suffering reversed conditions, the devotee always considers that the reverse conditions are the Lord’s concessions. He is never angry with his master; he is always satisfied with the position his master offers. In any case, he continues performing his duty in devotional service. Such a person is guaranteed promotion back home, back to Godhead. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.8) :

tat te ’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇo bhuṣjāna evātma-kṛtaṁ vipākam hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te jīveta yo mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk

“My dear Lord, one who constantly waits for Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him and who goes on suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Śukadeva said: Answering the King through repeating the King’s questions with explanations, the best of sages, Bharata, finishing his prārabdha-karmas by experiencing them in this way and having destroyed all causes of material bodies, with peaceful mind resumed carrying the King’s palanquin. Bharata answered the King by explanations with repetition of the King’s statements. Bharata had destroyed the cause of identification with the body (anātmya), ignorance. “If Bharata had no material identification, why did he appear to be unable to tolerate the King’s words and thus answer him?” In order to destroy the King’s prārabdha-karma recognized by enjoyment of royal wealth and power, in the guise of repeating the King’s statements, by following the process of bhakti taught by Bharata by his mercy, the King could destroy his karmas. Or, another meaning is “He thought he was destroying his own karmas by this experience, carrying the palanquin (upabhogena), since he did not consider himself a devotee, due to humility produced by prema.”
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.15

↗
స చాపి పాణ్డవేయ సిన్ధుసౌవీరపతిస్తత్త్వజిజ్ఞాసాయాం సమ్యక్‌శ్రద్ధయాధికృతాధికారస్తద్‌ధృదయగ్రన్థిమోచనం ద్విజవచ ఆశ్రుత్య బహుయోగగ్రన్థసమ్మతం త్వరయావరుహ్య శిరసా పాదమూలముపసృత: క్షమాపయన్ విగతనృపదేవస్మయ ఉవాచ ॥ ౧౫ ॥
sa cāpi pāṇḍaveya sindhu-sauvīra-patis tattva-jijṣāsāyāṁ samyak-śraddhayādhikṛtādhikāras tad dhṛdaya-granthi-mocanaṁ dvija-vaca āśrutya bahu-yoga-grantha-sammataṁ tvarayāvaruhya śirasā pāda-mūlam upasṛtaḥ kṣamāpayan vigata-nṛpa-deva-smaya uvāca.
[sa chaapi paandaveya sindhu-sauveera-patis tattva-jijshaasaayaam samyak-shraddhayaadhikritaadhikaaras tad dhridaya-granthi-mochanam dvija-vacha aashrutya bahu-yoga-grantha-sammatam tvarayaavaruhya shirasaa paada-moolam upasritah kshamaapayan vigata-nripa-deva-smaya uvaacha.]
saḥ — he (Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa) ca — also api — indeed pāṇḍaveya — O best of the Pāṇḍu dynasty (Mahārāja Parīkṣit) sindhu-sauvīra-patiḥ — the King of the states known as Sindhu and Sauvīra tattva-jijṣāsāyām — in the matter of inquiring about the Absolute Truth samyak-śraddhayā — by faith consisting of complete control of the senses and the mind adhikṛta-adhikāraḥ — who attained the proper qualification tat — that hṛdaya-granthi — the knot of false conceptions within the heart mocanam — which eradicates dvija-vacaḥ — the words of the brāhmaṇa (Jaḍa Bharata) āśrutya — hearing bahu-yoga-grantha-sammatam — approved by all yogic processes and their scriptures tvarayā — very hastily avaruhya — getting down (from the palanquin) śirasā — by his head pāda-mūlam — at the lotus feet upasṛtaḥ — falling down flat to offer obeisances kṣamāpayan — obtaining pardon for his offense vigata-nṛpa-deva-smayaḥ — giving up the false pride of being the King and therefore being worshipable uvāca — said.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sa cāpi pāṇḍaveya sindhu-sauvīra-patis tattva-jijṣāsāyāṁ samyak-śraddhayādhikṛtādhikāras tad dhṛdaya-granthi-mocanaṁ dvija-vaca āśrutya bahu-yoga-grantha-sammataṁ tvarayāvaruhya śirasā pāda-mūlam upasṛtaḥ kṣamāpayan vigata-nṛpa-deva-smaya uvāca.
saḥ
he (Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa)
ca
also
api
indeed
pāṇḍaveya
O best of the Pāṇḍu dynasty (Mahārāja Parīkṣit)
sindhu-sauvīra-patiḥ
the King of the states known as Sindhu and Sauvīra
tattva-jijṣāsāyām
in the matter of inquiring about the Absolute Truth
samyak-śraddhayā
by faith consisting of complete control of the senses and the mind
adhikṛta-adhikāraḥ
who attained the proper qualification
tat
that
hṛdaya-granthi
the knot of false conceptions within the heart
mocanam
which eradicates
dvija-vacaḥ
the words of the brāhmaṇa (Jaḍa Bharata)
āśrutya
hearing
bahu-yoga-grantha-sammatam
approved by all yogic processes and their scriptures
tvarayā
very hastily
avaruhya
getting down (from the palanquin)
śirasā
by his head
pāda-mūlam
at the lotus feet
upasṛtaḥ
falling down flat to offer obeisances
kṣamāpayan
obtaining pardon for his offense
vigata-nṛpa-deva-smayaḥ
giving up the false pride of being the King and therefore being worshipable
uvāca
said.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O best of the Pāṇḍu dynasty [Mahārāja Parīkṣit], the King of the Sindhu and Sauvīra states [Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa] had great faith in discussions of the Absolute Truth. Being thus qualified, he heard from Jaḍa Bharata that philosophical presentation which is approved by all scriptures on the mystic yoga process and which slackens the knot in the heart. His material conception of himself as a king was thus destroyed. He immediately descended from his palanquin and fell flat on the ground with his head at the lotus feet of Jaḍa Bharata in such a way that he might be excused for his insulting words against the great brāhmaṇa. He then prayed as follows.

In Bhagavad-gītā (4.2) Lord Kṛṣṇa says:

evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ sa kāleneha mahatā yogo naṣṭaḥ parantapa

“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.”

Through the disciplic succession the royal order was on the same platform as great saintly persons ( rāja-ṛṣis ). Formerly they could understand the philosophy of life and knew how to train the citizens to come to the same standard. In other words, they knew how to deliver the citizens from the entanglement of birth and death. When Mahārāja Daśaratha ruled Ayodhyā, the great sage Viśvāmitra once came to him to take away Lord Rāmacandra and Lakṣmaṇa to the forest to kill a demon. When the saintly person Viśvāmitra came to the court of Mahārāja Daśaratha, the King, in order to receive the saintly person, asked him, aihiṣṭaṁ yat tat punar janma jayāya. He asked the sage whether everything was going on well in his endeavor to conquer the repetition of birth and death. The whole process of Vedic civilization is based on this point. We must know how to conquer the repetition of birth and death. Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa also knew the purpose of life; therefore when Jaḍa Bharata put the philosophy of life before him, he immediately appreciated it. This is the foundation of Vedic society. Learned scholars, brāhmaṇas, saintly persons and sages who were fully aware of the Vedic purpose advised the royal order how to benefit the general masses, and by their cooperation the general masses were benefited. Therefore everything was successful. Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa attained this perfection of understanding the value of human life; therefore he regretted his insulting words to Jaḍa Bharata, and he immediately descended from his palanquin and fell down at the lotus feet of Jaḍa Bharata in order to be excused and to hear from him further about the values of life known as brahma jijṣāsā (inquiry into the Absolute Truth). At the present moment, high government officials are ignorant of the values of life, and when saintly persons endeavor to broadcast the Vedic knowledge, the so-called executives do not offer their respectful obeisances but try to obstruct the spiritual propaganda. Thus one can say that the former kingly government was like heaven and that the present government is like hell.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O Parīkṣit! The King of Sindhu and Sauvīra, having attained qualification by complete faith in topics concerning the absolute truth, on hearing the words of the brāhmaṇa, which untie the knot of the heart and which were approved by all yoga scriptures, quickly got down from the palanquin and approached Bharata’s feet with his head. Having given up pride as a king and begging forgiveness, he spoke. Adhikṛtādhikāraḥ means “he had attained qualification.”
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.16

↗
కస్త్వం నిగూఢశ్చరసి ద్విజానాం బిభర్షి సూత్రం కతమోఽవధూత: । కస్యాసి కుత్రత్య ఇహాపి కస్మాత్ క్షేమాయ నశ్చేదసి నోత శుక్ల: ॥ ౧౬ ॥
kas tvaṁ nigūḍhaś carasi dvijānāṁ
[kas tvam nigoodhash charasi dvijaanaam]
bibharṣi sūtraṁ katamo ’vadhūtaḥ
[bibharshi sootram katamo ’vadhootah]
kasyāsi kutratya ihāpi kasmāt
[kasyaasi kutratya ihaapi kasmaat]
kṣemāya naś ced asi nota śuklaḥ
[kshemaaya nash ched asi nota shuklah]
kaḥ tvam — who are you nigūḍhaḥ — very much covered carasi — you move within this world dvijānām — among the brāhmaṇas or saintly persons bibharṣi — you also wear sūtram — the sacred thread belonging to the first-class brāhmaṇas katamaḥ — which avadhūtaḥ — highly elevated person kasya asi — whose are you (whose disciple or son are you) kutratyaḥ — from where iha api — here in this place kasmāt — for what purpose kṣemāya — for the benefit naḥ — of us cet — if asi — you are na uta — or not śuklaḥ — the personality of the pure mode of goodness (Kapiladeva).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
kas tvaṁ nigūḍhaś carasi dvijānāṁ
kaḥ tvam
who are you
nigūḍhaḥ
very much covered
carasi
you move within this world
dvijānām
among the brāhmaṇas or saintly persons
bibharṣi sūtraṁ katamo ’vadhūtaḥ
bibharṣi
you also wear
sūtram
the sacred thread belonging to the first-class brāhmaṇas
katamaḥ
which
avadhūtaḥ
highly elevated person
kasyāsi kutratya ihāpi kasmāt
kasya asi
whose are you (whose disciple or son are you)
kutratyaḥ
from where
iha api
here in this place
kasmāt
for what purpose
kṣemāya naś ced asi nota śuklaḥ
kṣemāya
for the benefit
naḥ
of us
cet
if
asi
you are
na uta
or not
śuklaḥ
the personality of the pure mode of goodness (Kapiladeva).
King Rahūgaṇa said: O brāhmaṇa, you appear to be moving in this world very much covered and unknown to others. Who are you? Are you a learned brāhmaṇa and saintly person? I see that you are wearing a sacred thread. Are you one of those exalted, liberated saints such as Dattātreya and other highly advanced, learned scholars? May I ask whose disciple you are? Where do you live? Why have you come to this place? Is your mission in coming here to do good for us? Please let me know who you are.

Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa was very anxious to receive further enlightenment in Vedic knowledge because he could understand that Jaḍa Bharata belonged to a brāhmaṇa family either by disciplic succession or by birth in a brāhmaṇa dynasty. As stated in the Vedas: tad vijṣānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet. Rahūgaṇa was accepting Jaḍa Bharata as a guru, but a guru must prove his position not only by wearing a sacred thread but by advancing knowledge in spiritual life. It is also significant that Rahūgaṇa asked Jaḍa Bharata which family he belonged to. There are two types of families — one according to dynasty and the other according to disciplic succession. In either way, one can be enlightened. The word śuklaḥ refers to a person in the mode of goodness. If one wants to receive spiritual knowledge, he must approach a bona fide brāhmaṇa-guru, either in the disciplic succession or in a family of learned brāhmaṇas.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Who are you, among the brāhmaṇas? Hidden, you move about. You wear the sacred thread. Which renounced sage are you? Whose son are you? Where were you born? Why did you come to this place? If you have come to benefit us, are you not Nārāyaṇa? Or are you not Kapila? Who are you among the brāhmaṇas, since you wear the thread? Are you Dattātreya, the avadhūta? Whose son are you? Which state were you born in (kutratyaḥ)? If you have come to benefit us, are you not Nārāyaṇa? Or are you not Kapila (śukla)?
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.17

↗
నాహం విశఙ్కే సురరాజవజ్రా- న్న త్ర్యక్షశూలాన్న యమస్య దణ్డాత్ । నాగ్‍న్‍యర్కసోమానిలవిత్తపాస్త్రా- చ్ఛఙ్కే భృశం బ్రహ్మకులావమానాత్ ॥ ౧౭ ॥
nāhaṁ viśaṅke sura-rāja-vajrān
[naaham vishanke sura-raaja-vajraan]
na tryakṣa-śūlān na yamasya daṇḍāt
[na tryaksha-shoolaan na yamasya dandaat]
nāgny-arka-somānila-vittapāstrāc
[naagny-arka-somaanila-vittapaastraach]
chaṅke bhṛśaṁ brahma-kulāvamānāt
[chanke bhrisham brahma-kulaavamaanaat]
na — not aham — I viśaṅke — am afraid sura-rāja-vajrāt — from the thunderbolt of the King of heaven, Indra na — nor tryakṣa-śūlāt — from the piercing trident of Lord Śiva na — nor yamasya — of the superintendent of death, Yamarāja daṇḍāt — from the punishment na — nor agni — of fire arka — of the scorching heat of the sun soma — of the moon anila — of the wind vitta-pa — of the owner of riches, Kuvera, the treasurer of the heavenly planets astrāt — from the weapons śaṅke — I am afraid bhṛśam — very much brahma-kula — the group of the brāhmaṇas avamānāt — from offending.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nāhaṁ viśaṅke sura-rāja-vajrān
na
not
aham
I
viśaṅke
am afraid
sura-rāja-vajrāt
from the thunderbolt of the King of heaven, Indra
na tryakṣa-śūlān na yamasya daṇḍāt
na
nor
tryakṣa-śūlāt
from the piercing trident of Lord Śiva
na
nor
yamasya
of the superintendent of death, Yamarāja
daṇḍāt
from the punishment
nāgny-arka-somānila-vittapāstrāc
na
nor
agni
of fire
arka
of the scorching heat of the sun
soma
of the moon
anila
of the wind
vitta-pa
of the owner of riches, Kuvera, the treasurer of the heavenly planets
astrāt
from the weapons
chaṅke bhṛśaṁ brahma-kulāvamānāt
śaṅke
I am afraid
bhṛśam
very much
brahma-kula
the group of the brāhmaṇas
avamānāt
from offending.
My dear sir, I am not at all afraid of the thunderbolt of King Indra, nor am I afraid of the serpentine, piercing trident of Lord Śiva. I do not care about the punishment of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death, nor am I afraid of fire, scorching sun, moon, wind, nor the weapons of Kuvera. Yet I am afraid of offending a brāhmaṇa. I am very much afraid of this.

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was instructing Rūpa Gosvāmī at the Daśāśvamedha-ghāṭa in Prayāga, He pointed out very clearly the seriousness of offending a Vaiṣṇava. He compared the vaiṣṇava-aparādha to hātī mātā, a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a garden, it spoils all the fruits and flowers. Similarly, if one offends a Vaiṣṇava, he spoils all his spiritual assets. Offending a brāhmaṇa is very dangerous, and this was known to Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa. He therefore frankly admitted his fault. There are many dangerous things — thunderbolts, fire, Yamarāja’s punishment, the punishment of Lord Śiva’s trident, and so forth — but none is considered as serious as offending a brāhmaṇa like Jaḍa Bharata. Therefore Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa immediately descended from his palanquin and fell flat before the lotus feet of the brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharata just to be excused.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
I am not at all afraid of the thunderbolt of King Indra, nor am I afraid of the trident of Lord Śiva. I do not fear the staff of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death, nor am I afraid of fire, the sun, moon, wind, nor the weapons of Kuvera. Yet I am afraid of offending a brāhmaṇa. “Sitting on your palanquin, what is the use reflecting in this way?” If they try to kill me in battle with their weapons, I am not afraid, since I have my natural courage. Rather I experience joy in such competition. Or, having offended them, I do not fear them when they attack me in anger with their weapons.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.18

↗
తద్బ్రూహ్యసఙ్గో జడవన్నిగూఢ- విజ్ఞానవీర్యో విచరస్యపార: । వచాంసి యోగగ్రథితాని సాధో న న: క్షమన్తే మనసాపి భేత్తుమ్ ॥ ౧౮ ॥
tad brūhy asaṅgo jaḍavan nigūḍha-
[tad broohy asango jadavan nigoodha-]
vijṣāna-vīryo vicarasy apāraḥ
[vijshaana-veeryo vicharasy apaarah]
vacāṁsi yoga-grathitāni sādho
[vachaamsi yoga-grathitaani saadho]
na naḥ kṣamante manasāpi bhettum
[na nah kshamante manasaapi bhettum]
tat — therefore brūhi — please speak asaṅgaḥ — who have no association with the material world jaḍa-vat — appearing like a deaf and dumb man nigūḍha — completely hidden vijṣāna-vīryaḥ — who have full knowledge of the spiritual science and are thus very powerful vicarasi — you are moving apāraḥ — who possess unlimited spiritual glories vacāṁsi — the words uttered by you yoga-grathitāni — bearing the complete meaning of mystic yoga sādho — O great saintly person na — not naḥ — of us kṣamante — are able manasā api — even by the mind bhettum — to understand by analytical study.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tad brūhy asaṅgo jaḍavan nigūḍha-
tat
therefore
brūhi
please speak
asaṅgaḥ
who have no association with the material world
jaḍa-vat
appearing like a deaf and dumb man
nigūḍha
completely hidden
vijṣāna-vīryo vicarasy apāraḥ
vijṣāna-vīryaḥ
who have full knowledge of the spiritual science and are thus very powerful
vicarasi
you are moving
apāraḥ
who possess unlimited spiritual glories
vacāṁsi yoga-grathitāni sādho
vacāṁsi
the words uttered by you
yoga-grathitāni
bearing the complete meaning of mystic yoga
sādho
O great saintly person
na naḥ kṣamante manasāpi bhettum
na
not
naḥ
of us
kṣamante
are able
manasā api
even by the mind
bhettum
to understand by analytical study.
My dear sir, it appears that the influence of your great spiritual knowledge is hidden. Factually you are bereft of all material association and fully absorbed in the thought of the Supreme. Consequently you are unlimitedly advanced in spiritual knowledge. Please tell me why you are wandering around like a dullard. O great saintly person, you have spoken words approved by the yogic process, but it is not possible for us to understand what you have said. Therefore kindly explain it.

Saintly people like Jaḍa Bharata do not speak ordinary words. Whatever they say is approved by great yogīs and those advanced in spiritual life. That is the difference between ordinary people and saintly people. The listener must also be advanced to understand the words of such exalted, spiritually advanced people as Jaḍa Bharata. Bhagavad-gītā was spoken to Arjuna, not to others. Lord Kṛṣṇa especially selected Arjuna for instruction in spiritual knowledge because Arjuna happened to be a great devotee and confidential friend. Similarly, great personalities also speak to the advanced, not to śūdras, vaiśyas, women or unintelligent men. Sometimes it is very risky to give great philosophical instructions to ordinary people, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for the benefit of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga, has given us a very nice instrument, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. The general mass of people, although śūdras and less, can be purified by chanting this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Then they can understand the exalted philosophical statements of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has therefore adopted the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra for the general masses. When people gradually become purified, they are instructed in the lessons of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Materialistic people like strī, śūdra and dvija-bandhu cannot understand words of spiritual advancement, yet one can take to the shelter of a Vaiṣṇava, for he knows the art of enlightening even śūdras in the highly elevated subject matter spoken in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Please speak. Not associating with the material world, appearing dull-witted, but having the power of realized knowledge, you wander about with no superior. O saint! I am not able to understand your words about yoga. Therefore please speak, and say who you are. “I am your palanquin bearer.” Enough with trying to fool me! I know that you are a great yogī, because your words about yoga cannot be understood by my mind. Or, words concerning the yoga process, the teachings of the great yogīs, have not been able cut my doubts, since I am very tough, though I desired to understand those words with my attentive mind, without argument. But my doubts have been cut by your answers today.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.19

↗
అహం చ యోగేశ్వరమాత్మతత్త్వ- విదాం మునీనాం పరమం గురుం వై । ప్రష్టుం ప్రవృత్త: కిమిహారణం తత్ సాక్షాద్ధరిం జ్ఞానకలావతీర్ణమ్ ॥ ౧౯ ॥
ahaṁ ca yogeśvaram ātma-tattva-
[aham cha yogeshvaram aatma-tattva-]
vidāṁ munīnāṁ paramaṁ guruṁ vai
[vidaam muneenaam paramam gurum vai]
praṣṭuṁ pravṛttaḥ kim ihāraṇaṁ tat
[prashtum pravrittah kim ihaaranam tat]
sākṣād dhariṁ jṣāna-kalāvatīrṇam
[saakshaad dharim jshaana-kalaavateernam]
aham — I ca — and yoga-īśvaram — the master of all mystic power ātma-tattva-vidām — of the learned scholars who are aware of the spiritual science munīnām — of such saintly persons paramam — the best gurum — the preceptor vai — indeed praṣṭum — to inquire pravṛttaḥ — engaged kim — what iha — in this world araṇam — the most secure shelter tat — that which sākṣāt harim — directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead jṣāna-kalā-avatīrṇam — who has descended as the incarnation of complete knowledge in His plenary portion known as Kapiladeva.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ahaṁ ca yogeśvaram ātma-tattva-
aham
I
ca
and
yoga-īśvaram
the master of all mystic power
ātma-tattva-vidām
of the learned scholars who are aware of the spiritual science
vidāṁ munīnāṁ paramaṁ guruṁ vai
munīnām
of such saintly persons
paramam
the best
gurum
the preceptor
vai
indeed
praṣṭuṁ pravṛttaḥ kim ihāraṇaṁ tat
praṣṭum
to inquire
pravṛttaḥ
engaged
kim
what
iha
in this world
araṇam
the most secure shelter
tat
that which
sākṣād dhariṁ jṣāna-kalāvatīrṇam
sākṣāt harim
directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead
jṣāna-kalā-avatīrṇam
who has descended as the incarnation of complete knowledge in His plenary portion known as Kapiladeva.
I consider your good self the most exalted master of mystic power. You know the spiritual science perfectly well. You are the most exalted of all learned sages, and you have descended for the benefit of all human society. You have come to give spiritual knowledge, and you are a direct representative of Kapiladeva, the incarnation of God and the plenary portion of knowledge. I am therefore asking you, O spiritual master, what is the most secure shelter in this world?

As Kṛṣṇa confirms in Bhagavad-gītā :

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

“Of all yogīs, he who abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.” ( Bg. 6.47 )

Jaḍa Bharata was a perfect yogī. He was formerly the emperor Bharata Mahārāja, and he was now the most exalted personality among learned sages and the master of all mystic powers. Although Jaḍa Bharata was an ordinary living entity, he had inherited all the knowledge given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kapiladeva. He could therefore be taken directly as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As confirmed by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura in his stanzas to the spiritual master: sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ. An exalted personality like Jaḍa Bharata is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he fully represents the Lord by giving knowledge to others. Jaḍa Bharata is herein accepted as the direct representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he was imparting knowledge on behalf of the Supreme Lord. Therefore Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa concluded that it was appropriate to ask him about ātma-tattva, the spiritual science. Tad-vijṣānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet. This Vedic injunction is also confirmed herein. If anyone is at all interested in knowing the spiritual science ( brahma jijṣāsā ), he must approach a guru like Jaḍa Bharata.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
I now inquire from you, the master of yoga, the best guru of sages knowing about ātmā, about the shelter in this world, the Lord himself who appeared as a portion of knowledge. The chief among the great yogīs will be able to cut my doubts. That is indicated in this verse. Sakṣat hari means Kapiladeva who appeared for giving knowledge as a portion of the Lord’s jṣāna.
Related verses
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.20

↗
స వై భవాఁల్లోకనిరీక్షణార్థ- మవ్యక్తలిఙ్గో విచరత్యపిస్విత్ । యోగేశ్వరాణాం గతిమన్ధబుద్ధి: కథం విచక్షీత గృహానుబన్ధ: ॥ ౨౦ ॥
sa vai bhavāḻ loka-nirīkṣaṇārtham
[sa vai bhavaaḻ loka-nireekshanaartham]
avyakta-liṅgo vicaraty api svit
[avyakta-lingo vicharaty api svit]
yogeśvarāṇāṁ gatim andha-buddhiḥ
[yogeshvaraanaam gatim andha-buddhih]
kathaṁ vicakṣīta gṛhānubandhaḥ
[katham vichaksheeta grihaanubandhah]
saḥ — that Supreme Personality of Godhead or His incarnation Kapiladeva vai — indeed bhavān — your good self loka-nirīkṣaṇa-artham — just to study the characteristics of the people of this world avyakta-liṅgaḥ — without manifesting your real identity vicarati — are traveling in this world api svit — whether yoga-īśvarāṇām — of all the advanced yogīs gatim — the characteristics or actual behavior andha-buddhiḥ — who are illusioned and have become blind to spiritual knowledge katham — how vicakṣīta — may know gṛha-anubandhaḥ — I who am bound by attachment to family life, or worldly life.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sa vai bhavāḻ loka-nirīkṣaṇārtham
saḥ
that Supreme Personality of Godhead or His incarnation Kapiladeva
vai
indeed
bhavān
your good self
loka-nirīkṣaṇa-artham
just to study the characteristics of the people of this world
avyakta-liṅgo vicaraty api svit
avyakta-liṅgaḥ
without manifesting your real identity
vicarati
are traveling in this world
api svit
whether
yogeśvarāṇāṁ gatim andha-buddhiḥ
yoga-īśvarāṇām
of all the advanced yogīs
gatim
the characteristics or actual behavior
andha-buddhiḥ
who are illusioned and have become blind to spiritual knowledge
kathaṁ vicakṣīta gṛhānubandhaḥ
katham
how
vicakṣīta
may know
gṛha-anubandhaḥ
I who am bound by attachment to family life, or worldly life.
Is it not a fact that your good self is the direct representative of Kapiladeva, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? To examine people and see who is actually a human being and who is not, you have presented yourself to be a deaf and dumb person. Are you not moving this way upon the surface of the world? I am very attached to family life and worldly activities, and I am blind to spiritual knowledge. Nonetheless, I am now present before you and am seeking enlightenment from you. How can I advance in spiritual life?

Although Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa was playing the part of a king, he had been informed by Jaḍa Bharata that he was not a king nor was Jaḍa Bharata deaf and dumb. Such designations were simply coverings of the spirit soul. Everyone must come to this knowledge. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (2.13) : dehino ’smin yathā dehe. Everyone is encased within the body. Since the body is never identical with the soul, the bodily activities are simply illusory. In the association of such a sādhu as Jaḍa Bharata, Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa came to the awareness that his activities as a royal authority were simply illusory phenomena. He therefore agreed to receive knowledge from Jaḍa Bharata, and that was the beginning of his perfection. Tad-vijṣānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet. A person like Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa, who was very inquisitive to know the value of life and the spiritual science, must approach a personality like Jaḍa Bharata. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijṣāsuḥ śreya uttamam ( Bhāg. 11.3.21 ). One must approach a guru like Jaḍa Bharata, a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to inquire about the goal of human life.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Are you Kapiladeva, but hiding your identity, wandering about to examine the world? How can a person bound to family life, blind to spiritual knowledge, know the movements of the masters of yoga? Are you (kim svit) Kapiladeva? The person with blind intelligence refers to himself, the king.
Related verses
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.21

↗
ద‍ృష్ట: శ్రమ: కర్మత ఆత్మనో వై భర్తుర్గన్తుర్భవతశ్చానుమన్యే । యథాసతోదానయనాద్యభావాత్ సమూల ఇష్టో వ్యవహారమార్గ: ॥ ౨౧ ॥
dṛṣṭaḥ śramaḥ karmata ātmano vai
[drishtah shramah karmata aatmano vai]
bhartur gantur bhavataś cānumanye
[bhartur gantur bhavatash chaanumanye]
yathāsatodānayanādy-abhāvāt
[yathaasatodaanayanaady-abhaavaat]
samūla iṣṭo vyavahāra-mārgaḥ
[samoola ishto vyavahaara-maargah]
dṛṣṭaḥ — it is experienced by everyone śramaḥ — fatigue karmataḥ — from acting in some way ātmanaḥ — of the soul vai — indeed bhartuḥ — of one who is carrying the palanquin gantuḥ — of one who is moving bhavataḥ — of yourself ca — and anumanye — I guess like that yathā — as much as asatā — with something that is not an actual fact uda — of water ānayana-ādi — of the bringing and other such tasks abhāvāt — from the absence sa-mūlaḥ — based on evidence iṣṭaḥ — respected vyavahāra-mārgaḥ — phenomenon.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dṛṣṭaḥ śramaḥ karmata ātmano vai
dṛṣṭaḥ
it is experienced by everyone
śramaḥ
fatigue
karmataḥ
from acting in some way
ātmanaḥ
of the soul
vai
indeed
bhartur gantur bhavataś cānumanye
bhartuḥ
of one who is carrying the palanquin
gantuḥ
of one who is moving
bhavataḥ
of yourself
ca
and
anumanye
I guess like that
yathāsatodānayanādy-abhāvāt
yathā
as much as
asatā
with something that is not an actual fact
uda
of water
ānayana-ādi
of the bringing and other such tasks
abhāvāt
from the absence
samūla iṣṭo vyavahāra-mārgaḥ
sa-mūlaḥ
based on evidence
iṣṭaḥ
respected
vyavahāra-mārgaḥ
phenomenon.
You have said, “I am not fatigued from labor.” Although the soul is different from the body, there is fatigue because of bodily labor, and it appears to be the fatigue of the soul. When you are carrying the palanquin, there is certainly labor for the soul. This is my conjecture. You have also said that the external behavior exhibited between the master and the servant is not factual, but although in the phenomenal world it is not factual, the products of the phenomenal world can actually affect things. That is visible and experienced. As such, even though material activities are impermanent, they cannot be said to be untrue.

This is a discussion on impersonal Māyāvāda philosophy and the practical philosophy of Vaiṣṇavas. The Māyāvāda philosophy explains this phenomenal world to be false, but Vaiṣṇava philosophers do not agree. They know that the phenomenal world is a temporary manifestation but it is not false. A dream that we see at night is certainly false, but a horrible dream certainly affects the person seeing it. The soul’s fatigue is not factual, but as long as one is immersed in the illusory bodily conception, one is affected by such false dreams. When dreaming, it is not possible to avoid the actual facts, and the conditioned soul is forced to suffer due to his dream. A waterpot is made of earth and is temporary. Actually there is no waterpot; there is simply earth. However, as long as the waterpot can contain water, we can use it in that way. It cannot be said to be absolutely false.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
It is observed that I become fatigued from performing actions. When you carry the palanquin or move, then you experience fatigue. This is my inference. One cannot reject the conventional world. Since one cannot carry water with a false pot, one must accept the conventional, practical world. The King thought, “I will begin questioning Kapiladeva. Having met him on the road, I will first reject his answers, and in that way discover all that I asked about him.” First Bharata said he was not tired. The King inferred as follows. You become tired by carrying a load since you are the doer. The doer becomes tired, just as I become tired when I fight. One cannot say “That this is how people speak in the world, but spiritual people do not talk in this manner” since one cannot uproot practical existence. If one says “Bring water by means of the pot” one cannot bring water using a non-existent pot. Material existence is approved (iṣṭaḥ) as real (sa-mūlaḥ). Thus by inference, the material world is real, because of real objects and real doers. What is not real does not have objects and doers. If the world is unreal, there is no pot and no one to carry the water.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.22

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స్థాల్యగ్నితాపాత్పయసోఽభితాప- స్తత్తాపతస్తణ్డులగర్భరన్ధి: । దేహేన్ద్రియాస్వాశయసన్నికర్షాత్ తత్సంసృతి: పురుషస్యానురోధాత్ ॥ ౨౨ ॥
sthāly-agni-tāpāt payaso ’bhitāpas
[sthaaly-agni-taapaat payaso ’bhitaapas]
tat-tāpatas taṇḍula-garbha-randhiḥ
[tat-taapatas tandula-garbha-randhih]
dehendriyāsvāśaya-sannikarṣāt
[dehendriyaasvaashaya-sannikarshaat]
tat-saṁsṛtiḥ puruṣasyānurodhāt
[tat-samsritih purushasyaanurodhaat]
sthāli — on the cooking pot agni-tāpāt — because of the heat of fire payasaḥ — the milk put into the pot abhitāpaḥ — becomes hot tat-tāpataḥ — because of the milk’s becoming hot taṇḍula-garbha-randhiḥ — the center of the rice within the milk becomes cooked deha-indriya-asvāśaya — the bodily senses sannikarṣāt — from having connections with tat-saṁsṛtiḥ — the experience of fatigue and other miseries puruṣasya — of the soul anurodhāt — from compliance due to being grossly attached to the body, senses and mind.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sthāly-agni-tāpāt payaso ’bhitāpas
sthāli
on the cooking pot
agni-tāpāt
because of the heat of fire
payasaḥ
the milk put into the pot
abhitāpaḥ
becomes hot
tat-tāpataḥ
because of the milk’s becoming hot
tat-tāpatas taṇḍula-garbha-randhiḥ
taṇḍula-garbha-randhiḥ
the center of the rice within the milk becomes cooked
dehendriyāsvāśaya-sannikarṣāt
deha-indriya-asvāśaya
the bodily senses
sannikarṣāt
from having connections with
tat-saṁsṛtiḥ puruṣasyānurodhāt
tat-saṁsṛtiḥ
the experience of fatigue and other miseries
puruṣasya
of the soul
anurodhāt
from compliance due to being grossly attached to the body, senses and mind.
King Rahūgaṇa continued: My dear sir, you have said that designations like bodily fatness and thinness are not characteristics of the soul. That is incorrect because designations like pain and pleasure are certainly felt by the soul. You may put a pot of milk and rice within fire, and the milk and rice are automatically heated one after the other. Similarly, due to bodily pains and pleasures, the senses, mind and soul are affected. The soul cannot be completely detached from this conditioning.

This argument put forward by Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa is correct from the practical point of view, but it arises from an attachment to the bodily conception. It can be said that a person sitting in his car is certainly different from his car, but if there is damage to the car, the owner of the car, being overly attached to the car, feels pain. Actually, the damage done to the car has nothing to do with the car’s proprietor, but because the proprietor has identified himself with the interest of the car, he feels pleasure and pain connected with it. This conditional state can be avoided if attachment is withdrawn from the car. Then the proprietor would not feel pleasure or pain if the car is damaged or whatever. Similarly, the soul has nothing to do with the body and the senses, but due to ignorance, he identifies himself with the body, and he feels pleasure and pain due to bodily pleasure and pain.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
By applying heat to the pot, milk in the pot becomes hot. Because of the hot milk, the rice in the milk gets cooked. Similarly because of connection with the body, senses, life airs and mind, saṁsāra of the ātmā takes place, because of successive influence of the coverings on the ātmā. An example is given to illustrate that the ātmā becomes tired because of fatigue of the body and senses from carrying a load. Because of the heat of fire on a pot, the milk within it becomes hot. Because of the heat of the milk the outer portion of the rice becomes hot. Then the inside of the rice grains becomes cooked. Similarly, because of relationship with the body, senses, life airs and mind, saṁsāra of the ātmā occurs. Asu means life air and āśaya means the mind. This takes place from successive effects on the coverings of the ātmā (anurodhāt). For instance, because of the sun’s heat, the body becomes hot. The senses then become hot. Then the life airs and the mind become hot. Then the ātmā becomes hot.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.23

↗
శాస్తాభిగోప్తా నృపతి: ప్రజానాంయ: కిఙ్కరో వై న పినష్టి పిష్టమ్ స్వధర్మమారాధనమచ్యుతస్యయదీహమానో విజహాత్యఘౌఘమ్ ॥ ౨౩ ॥
śāstābhigoptā nṛpatiḥ prajānāṁ
[shaastaabhigoptaa nripatih prajaanaam]
yaḥ kiṅkaro vai na pinaṣṭi piṣṭam
[yah kinkaro vai na pinashti pishtam]
sva-dharmam ārādhanam acyutasya
[sva-dharmam aaraadhanam achyutasya]
yad īhamāno vijahāty aghaugham
[yad eehamaano vijahaaty aghaugham]
śāstā — the governor abhigoptā — a well-wisher of the citizens as a father is the well-wisher of his children nṛ-patiḥ — the king prajānām — of the citizens yaḥ — one who kiṅkaraḥ — order carrier vai — indeed na — not pinaṣṭi piṣṭam — grinds what is already ground sva-dharmam — one’s own occupational duty ārādhanam — worshiping acyutasya — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead yat — which īhamānaḥ — performing vijahāti — they are released from agha-ogham — all kinds of sinful activity and faulty action.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
śāstābhigoptā nṛpatiḥ prajānāṁ
śāstā
the governor
abhigoptā
a well-wisher of the citizens as a father is the well-wisher of his children
nṛ-patiḥ
the king
prajānām
of the citizens
yaḥ kiṅkaro vai na pinaṣṭi piṣṭam
yaḥ
one who
kiṅkaraḥ
order carrier
vai
indeed
na
not
pinaṣṭi piṣṭam
grinds what is already ground
sva-dharmam ārādhanam acyutasya
sva-dharmam
one’s own occupational duty
ārādhanam
worshiping
acyutasya
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
yad īhamāno vijahāty aghaugham
yat
which
īhamānaḥ
performing
vijahāti
they are released from
agha-ogham
all kinds of sinful activity and faulty action.
My dear sir, you have said that the relationship between the king and the subject or between the master and the servant are not eternal, but although such relationships are temporary, when a person takes the position of a king his duty is to rule the citizens and punish those who are disobedient to the laws. By punishing them, he teaches the citizens to obey the laws of the state. Again, you have said that punishing a person who is deaf and dumb is like chewing the chewed or grinding the pulp; that is to say, there is no benefit in it. However, if one is engaged in his own occupational duty as ordered by the Supreme Lord, his sinful activities are certainly diminished. Therefore if one is engaged in his occupational duty by force, he benefits because he can vanquish all his sinful activities in that way.

This argument offered by Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa is certainly very effective. In his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.4), Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says, tasmāt kenāpy upāyena manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet: somehow or other, one should engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Actually every living being is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, but due to forgetfulness, a living entity engages himself as an eternal servant of māyā. As long as one is engaged in māyā’s service, he cannot be happy. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims at engaging people in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s service. That will help them become freed from all material contamination and sinful activity. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (4.10) : vīta-rāga-bhaya-krodhāḥ. By becoming detached from material activities, we will be freed from fear and anger. By austerity, one becomes purified and eligible to return home, back to Godhead. The duty of the king is to rule his citizens in such a way that they can become Kṛṣṇa conscious. This would be very beneficial for everyone. Unfortunately the king or president engages people in sense gratification instead of the Lord’s service, and such activities are certainly not beneficial for anyone. King Rahūgaṇa tried to engage Jaḍa Bharata in carrying the palanquin, which is a form of sense gratification for the King. However, if one is engaged as a palanquin carrier in the Lord’s service, that is certainly beneficial. In this godless civilization, if a president engages people somehow or other in devotional service or the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he renders the very best service to the citizens.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Even if his position is impermanent, when a person is a king, he becomes the punisher and protector of the citizens. Though you say punishing a dull person is useless, one who is servant of the Lord does not act uselessly. The king, in performing his dharma of punishing the citizens, which is worship of the Lord, destroys all his sins. You have said “If the states of servant and master were permanent…” Even if these conditions are impermanent, when a person is the king, he is the punisher and protector of the citizens. You have said “giving punishment to a dull person has no effect, like grinding already ground flour.” But a servant of the Lord like me does not act uselessly since, even if a person’s dullness does not go away by punishment, by fulfilling the order of the Lord, one becomes successful. The king, in following his prescribed dharma, by punishing the citizens, which is worship of the Lord, destroys all his sins.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.24

↗
తన్మే భవాన్నరదేవాభిమాన-మదేన తుచ్ఛీకృతసత్తమస్య కృషీష్ట మైత్రీద‍ృశమార్తబన్ధోయథా తరే సదవధ్యానమంహ: ॥ ౨౪ ॥
tan me bhavān nara-devābhimāna-
[tan me bhavaan nara-devaabhimaana-]
madena tucchīkṛta-sattamasya
[madena tuchcheekrita-sattamasya]
kṛṣīṣṭa maitrī-dṛśam ārta-bandho
[krisheeshta maitree-drisham aarta-bandho]
yathā tare sad-avadhyānam aṁhaḥ
[yathaa tare sad-avadhyaanam amhah]
tat — therefore me — unto me bhavān — your good self nara-deva-abhimāna-madena — by madness due to having the body of a king and thus being proud of it tucchīkṛta — who has insulted sat-tamasya — you who are the best among human beings kṛṣīṣṭa — kindly show maitrī-dṛśam — your causeless mercy upon me like a friend ārta-bandho — O friend of all distressed persons yathā — so tare — I can get relief from sat-avadhyānam — neglecting a great personality like you aṁhaḥ — the sin.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tan me bhavān nara-devābhimāna-
tat
therefore
me
unto me
bhavān
your good self
nara-deva-abhimāna-madena
by madness due to having the body of a king and thus being proud of it
madena tucchīkṛta-sattamasya
tucchīkṛta
who has insulted
sat-tamasya
you who are the best among human beings
kṛṣīṣṭa maitrī-dṛśam ārta-bandho
kṛṣīṣṭa
kindly show
maitrī-dṛśam
your causeless mercy upon me like a friend
ārta-bandho
O friend of all distressed persons
yathā tare sad-avadhyānam aṁhaḥ
yathā
so
tare
I can get relief from
sat-avadhyānam
neglecting a great personality like you
aṁhaḥ
the sin.
Whatever you have spoken appears to me to be contradictory. O best friend of the distressed, I have committed a great offense by insulting you. I was puffed up with false prestige due to possessing the body of a king. For this I have certainly become an offender. Therefore I pray that you kindly glance at me with your causeless mercy. If you do so, I can be relieved from sinful activities brought about by insulting you.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that by offending a Vaiṣṇava, one finishes all his spiritual activities. Offending a Vaiṣṇava is considered the mad elephant offense. A mad elephant can destroy an entire garden which has been developed with great labor. One may attain the topmost platform of devotional service, but somehow or other if he offends a Vaiṣṇava, the whole structure collapses. Unconsciously, King Rahūgaṇa offended Jaḍa Bharata, but due to his good sense, he asked to be excused. This is the process by which one can be relieved from a vaiṣṇava-aparādha. Kṛṣṇa is always very simple and by nature merciful. When one commits an offense at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava, one must immediately apologize to such a personality so that his spiritual advancement may not be hampered.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
O friend of the distressed! Please show your friendly glance on this person who has insulted the greatest devotee out of false identity as a king, so that I can overcome the sin of neglecting the devotee. Since your statements appear to me to contrary, glance upon me with affection. I have been intoxicated with false identity as a king, thinking myself learned, and being falsely proud. Because of this I have offended the greatest devotee. I thought, “What do these people know?” Because of this I will fall to hell. Thinking in this way, show an affection glance to me, by which I will be able to cross the sin of insulting the devotees.
📝 My note

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.10.25

↗
న విక్రియా విశ్వసుహృత్సఖస్యసామ్యేన వీతాభిమతేస్తవాపి మహద్విమానాత్ స్వకృతాద్ధి మాద‍ృఙ్నఙ్‌క్ష్యత్యదూరాదపి శూలపాణి: ॥ ౨౫ ॥
na vikriyā viśva-suhṛt-sakhasya
[na vikriyaa vishva-suhrit-sakhasya]
sāmyena vītābhimates tavāpi
[saamyena veetaabhimates tavaapi]
mahad-vimānāt sva-kṛtād dhi mādṛṅ
[mahad-vimaanaat sva-kritaad dhi maadrin]
naṅkṣyaty adūrād api śūlapāṇiḥ
[nankshyaty adooraad api shoolapaanih]
na — not vikriyā — material transformation viśva-suhṛt — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is a friend to everyone sakhasya — of you, the friend sāmyena — because of your mental equilibrium vīta-abhimateḥ — who has completely forsaken the bodily concept of life tava — your api — indeed mahat-vimānāt — of insulting a great devotee sva-kṛtāt — from my own activity hi — certainly mādṛk — a person like me naṅkṣyati — will be destroyed adūrāt — very soon api — certainly śūla-pāṇiḥ — even though as powerful as Lord Śiva (Śūlapāṇi).
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
na vikriyā viśva-suhṛt-sakhasya
na
not
vikriyā
material transformation
viśva-suhṛt
of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is a friend to everyone
sakhasya
of you, the friend
sāmyena vītābhimates tavāpi
sāmyena
because of your mental equilibrium
vīta-abhimateḥ
who has completely forsaken the bodily concept of life
tava
your
api
indeed
mahad-vimānāt sva-kṛtād dhi mādṛṅ
mahat-vimānāt
of insulting a great devotee
sva-kṛtāt
from my own activity
hi
certainly
mādṛk
a person like me
naṅkṣyaty adūrād api śūlapāṇiḥ
naṅkṣyati
will be destroyed
adūrāt
very soon
api
certainly
śūla-pāṇiḥ
even though as powerful as Lord Śiva (Śūlapāṇi).
O my dear lord, you are the friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all living entities. You are therefore equal to everyone, and you are free from the bodily conception. Although I have committed an offense by insulting you, I know that there is no loss or gain for you due to my insult. You are fixed in your determination, but I have committed an offense. Because of this, even though I may be as strong as Lord Śiva, I shall be vanquished without delay due to my offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.

Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa was very intelligent and conscious of the inauspicious effects arising from insulting a Vaiṣṇava. He was therefore very anxious to be excused by Jaḍa Bharata. Following in the footsteps of Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa, everyone should be very cautious not to commit an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura in the Caitanya-bhāgavata ( Madhya 13) says:

śūlapāṇi-sama yadi bhakta-nindā kare bhāgavata pramāṇa — tathāpi śīghra mare hena vaiṣṇavere ninde sarvajṣa ha-i se janera adhaḥ-pāta sarva-śāstre ka-i

“Even if one is as strong as Lord Śiva, who carries a trident in his hand, one will nonetheless fall down from his spiritual position if he tries to insult a Vaiṣṇava. That is the verdict of all Vedic scriptures.” He also says this in Caitanya-bhāgavata ( Madhya 22):

vaiṣṇavera nindā karibeka yāra gaṇa tāra rakṣā sāmarthya nāhika kona jana śūlapāṇi-sama yadi vaiṣṇavere ninde tathāpiha nāśa yāya — kahe śāstra-vṛnde ihā nā māniyā ye sujana nindā kare janme janme se pāpiṣṭha daiva-doṣe mare

“One who blasphemes a Vaiṣṇava cannot be protected by anyone. Even if a person is as strong as Lord Śiva, if he blasphemes a Vaiṣṇava he is sure to be destroyed. This is the verdict of all śāstras. If one does not care for the verdict of the śāstras and dares blaspheme a Vaiṣṇava, he suffers life after life because of this.”

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Fifth Canto, Tenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Because of the great offense I have committed to you who are the friend of the Lord who is the friend of all, to you who are free of false identity and see all beings as your own self, persons like me and even Śiva are quickly destroyed, even if you are not disturbed by the offense. “But I do not suffer becomes of your offense. What is the question of counteracting it?” Even though you are not disturbed (tavāpi na vikriyā), persons like me get destroyed. Even persons like Śiva are affected. nāścaryam etad yad asatsu sarvadā mahad-vinindā kuṇapātma-vādiṣu serṣyaṁ mahāpūruṣa-pāda-pāṁsubhir nirasta-tejaḥsu tad eva śobhanam It is not surprising that the materialists, claiming that the gross body is the soul, constantly criticize the devotees with envy and become deprived of their powers by the dust from the feet of the great devotees. That glory of that criticism is the result it gives. SB 4.4.13 Thus ends the commentary on the Tenth Chapter of the Fifth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Eleven The Teachings of Jaḍa Bharata
📝 My note