Category:Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 05 Chapter 08 Purports - A Description of the Character of Bharata Maharaja
Pages in category "Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 05 Chapter 08 Purports - A Description of the Character of Bharata Maharaja"
The following 108 pages are in this category, out of 108 total.
A
- A devotee is never vanquished. Due to his willful neglect of devotional service, a devotee may be punished for a short time, but he again revives his devotional service and returns home back to Godhead
- According to Ayur-vedic treatment, it is said that if one has a high fever, someone should splash him with water after gargling this water. In this way the fever subsides
- According to Bhagavad-gita, whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail
- According to the logic of atmavan manyate jagat, everyone thinks of others according to his own position. Therefore Maharaja Bharata felt that the deer had left him due to his negligence and that due to the animal's noble heart, it would again return
- After death, others forget everything that has happened in their past lives, but Bharata Maharaja did not forget
- After quitting his body, a person gets another body according to his mental condition at the time of death. At death, a person always think; of that subject matter in which he has been engrossed during his life
- All the members (of ISKCON) should be very careful to execute their spiritual duties so that whoever comes will automatically become a devotee and will be able to return back to Godhead in this very life
- Although Bharata Maharaja acquired the body of a deer, he again left his hearth and home, in this case the Mountain Kalanjara
- Although Bharata Maharaja was awarded the body of an animal, he did not forget what had previously happened due to his purposeful mistake
- Although Bharata Maharaja was very aggrieved due to the separation of his so-called son, the deer, he thought that the moon was splashing gargled water on him from its mouth and that this water would subdue his high fever
- As far as the deer was concerned, Bharata Maharaja became very sympathetic, but he forgot that it was impossible for him to elevate a deer to spiritual consciousness, because, after all, a deer is but an animal
- As far as the material body is concerned, we cannot do anything for anyone. However, by the grace of Krsna, we may raise a person to spiritual consciousness if we ourselves follow the rules and regulations
- As far as the members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are concerned, they have sacrificed everything to push on this Krsna consciousness movement
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.5): Acts of sacrifice, charity and penance are not to be given up but should be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penance purify even the great soul
- As stated in Brahma-samhita: karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam (BS 5.54). It is proved here (in SB 5.8.27) that due to the grace of the Supreme Lord, a devotee is never vanquished
- As the sun arises, one should chant the Vedic mantra beginning with the Gayatri. The sun is the symbolic representation of the eyes of the Supreme Lord
- Association is very meaningful; therefore ISKCON tries to perfect one who enters the society. The members of this society should always remember that the society is not like a free hotel
B
- Because Bharata Maharaja was always thinking of the deer and forgetting his worship of the Supreme Lord, he acquired the body of a deer
- Because his attraction for the deer was so intense, Bharata Maharaja could not concentrate upon worshiping the Lord or performing his ritualistic ceremonies
- Bharata left his home, wife, children, kingdom and everything else to advance his spiritual life in the forest, but again he fell victim to material affection due to his attachment to pet deer. What, then, was the use of his renouncing his family
- Bharata Maharaja considered himself most unfortunate, for due to the animal's absence, there was nothing auspicious for him in the presence of the sun
- Bharata Maharaja gradually fell into this condition (of blind love) due to his material love for the deer
- Bharata Maharaja had to accept the body of a deer due to being overly compassionate for this infant deer
- Bharata Maharaja was constantly thinking of the activities of the deer, forgetting that such meditation and diversion of attention was killing his progress in spiritual achievement
- Bharata Maharaja was very noble and exalted, and therefore when the deer was absent from him he thought himself unworthy to give it protection. Due to his attachment for the animal, he thought that the animal was as noble and exalted as he himself was
- Bharata Maharaja, at the time of death, would be forced to accept the body of a deer due to his attraction for the deer. In this regard, a question may be raised. How can a devotee be affected by his past misconduct and vicious activities
- By constantly chanting and hearing the holy names and pastimes of the Supreme Lord, one certainly becomes purified and becomes a fit candidate for liberation
- By His own actions and by the actions of His devotees, Krsna teaches us how to become cautious in devotional service. Through the medium of Bharata Maharaja, Krsna teaches us that we must be careful in the discharge of devotional service
- By studying the activities of Maharaja Bharata, we can learn the art of becoming completely freed from all material attachment
- By the grace of the Supreme Lord, a devotee is punished in such a way that his eagerness to attain the lotus feet of Lord Vasudeva is increased. By his intense desire, he returns home in the next lifetime
D
- Devotional service is very completely described here (in SB 5.8.29): tad-anusravana-manana-sankirtanaradhananusmaranabhiyogena
- Due to his (Bharata's) having been elevated to the topmost platform of devotional service, he did not forget the incidents of his past life. This special benediction saved him from further deterioration
- Due to his (Bharata's) past activities in devotional service, he became determined to finish his devotional service even in the body of a deer
- Due to his foolishness, Bharata became attached to an insignificant deer and thus fell down and had to accept the body of a deer
- Due to his stringent execution of devotional service, Maharaja Bharata could remember the activities of his past life and how he was raised to the spiritual platform
- Due to their affection for their cats and dogs, they (who are not spiritually advanced) have to take the same bodily forms in the next life unless they clearly increase their affection and love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead
E
- Eating is not prohibited, but if we eat voraciously we shall certainly sleep more than required. Sense gratification ensues, and we may be degraded to a lower life form. In that way our spiritual progress may be checked at least for the time being
- Even if one is in the renounced order, he should never give up the regulative principles. He should worship the Deity and give his time and life to the service of Krsna. He should also continue following the rules and regulations of austerity and penance
- Even such an exalted personality as Bharata, who had attained loving affection for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fell down from his position due to his affection for some animal. Consequently he had to accept the body of a deer in his next life
- Even though he (Bharata) was engaged in worshiping the Deity, his mind was restless due to his inordinate affection. While trying to meditate, he would simply think of the deer, wondering where it had gone
F
- Feigning meditation, the King (Bharata) would actually think of the animal, and this was but a sign of his downfall
- For our instruction, Bharata Maharaja acted in such a way. We should be very careful not to be misled by so-called welfare activities conducted in bodily terms. One should not give up his interest in attaining the favor of Lord Visnu at any cost
- From the spiritual point of view the King (Bharata) was actually falling from his exalted spiritual position and unnecessarily becoming attached to an animal. Thus degrading himself, he would have to accept an animal body
H
- He (Bharata Maharaja) was very anxious to get out of his deer body, and this indicates that his affection for devotional service was intensified, so much so that he was quickly to attain perfection in a brahmana body in the next life
- Holy places like Vrndavana, Hardwar, Prayaga and Jagannatha Puri are especially meant for the execution of devotional service
I
- If a poor man loses some money or gold, he at once becomes very agitated. Similarly, the mind of Maharaja Bharata would become agitated when he did not see the deer. This is an example of how our attachment can be transferred
- If one does not know of the material sufferings of fallen souls and becomes sympathetic because of bodily comforts, as in the case of Bharata Maharaja, such sympathy or compassion is the cause of one's downfall
- If one is actually sympathetic to fallen, suffering humanity, he should try to elevate people from material consciousness to spiritual consciousness
- If one is at all sympathetic or able to do good to others, he should endeavor to raise people to Krsna consciousness. In this way everyone advances spiritually by the grace of the Lord
- If one purposefully falls victim to sense gratification, he has to be punished, at least for one lifetime, like Bharata Maharaja
- If one's mind is distracted from worship, a mere show of worship will not be of any benefit
- If our attachment is transferred to the Lord's service, we progress. Srila Rupa Gosvami prayed to the Lord that he would be as naturally attracted to the Lord's service as young men and young women are naturally attracted to each other
- If we deviate from this process (observing the rules and regulations and regularly chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra) we may fall down, even though we may be very highly advanced
- If we give up our own spiritual activities and simply become concerned with the bodily comforts of others, we will fall into a dangerous position
- If we misuse our position and think that we are fully engaged in devotional service and can do whatever we like, we have to suffer like Bharata Maharaja and be condemned to accept the type of body that impairs our devotional service
- If we want to keep our minds completely fixed without deviation, we must engage them in devotional service full time
- In Bhagavad-gita we are warned: O best among men (Arjuna), the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation - BG 2.15
- In Brahma-samhita it is said, karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam: "For those engaged in devotional service, bhakti-bhajana, the results of past deeds are indemnified." According to this, Bharata Maharaja could not be punished for his past misdeeds
- In the Brahma-samhita (BS 5.38), the sun is described as the eye of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- It is not easy for a common man to remember the activities of his past life, but Bharata Maharaja could remember his past activities due to his great sacrifices and engagement in devotional service
- It is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.5.18), tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham: As far as material happiness is concerned, that comes without effort, just as tribulations come without effort
- It is said in the smrti-sastra: That tract of land wherein the footprints of a black deer can be seen is to be understood as a suitable place to execute religious rituals
- It is said in this verse (SB 5.8.27), mrtam, although he (Bharata) had died, anu, afterwards, na mrta janmanusmrtir itaravat, he did not forget the incidents of his past life as others forget them
- It is said that once when a man's son was blind since birth, the father, out of staunch affection for the child, named him Padmalocana, or "lotus-eyed." This is the situation arising from blind love
- It is said that when a person becomes overly involved in loving affairs, he forgets himself as well as others, and he forgets how to act and how to speak
- It is significant that Maharaja Bharata, by the grace of Vasudeva, remembered his past life. He did not waste a moment; he returned to Pulaha-asrama to the village known as Salagrama
- It is with this conviction that we declare in our Back to Godhead magazine that devotees like the gosvamis living in Vrndavana who purposely commit some sinful activity are born in the bodies of dogs, monkeys and tortoises in that holy land
- It may appear to be due to past karma, but it is offered to rectify the devotee and bring him to pure devotional service
- It was very dangerous for Bharata Maharaja to sacrifice all his regulative principles simply to take care of an animal. The principles enunciated in Bhagavad-gita should be followed. Yam hi na vyathayanty ete purusam purusarsabha - BG 2.15
M
- Maharaja Bharata could think only of the deer and how the animal could be protected from all kinds of inauspicious things. From the materialistic point of view such kind thoughts may be very laudable
- Maharaja Bharata lamented that although the sun was going to set, due to the poor animal's absence, he could not find anything auspicious
- Maharaja Bharata thought that the animal was disappointed in his protection and had left him for protection of a demigod. Regardless, he ardently desired to see the animal again within his asrama eating soft grass and not fearing tigers and other animals
- 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
- Maharaja Bharata's compassion for the deer was the beginning of his falldown into the material world
- Material happiness and pain can be attained without endeavor. One should not bother for material activities
- Maya is very strong. In the name of philanthropy, altruism and communism, people are feeling compassion for suffering humanity throughout the world
N
- No one should be captivated by his birthplace and family; one should take shelter of the association of devotees and cultivate Krsna consciousness
- Now King Bharata considers his meditation false. While engaged in meditation, he was actually thinking of his deer, and he would feel great pleasure when the animal pricked him with the points of its horns
O
- One who is serious in advancing his spiritual life should be very cautious not to become attached to anything but Krsna
- Only the human form is able to execute devotional service, but if we voluntarily give this up for sense gratification, we certainly have to be punished. This punishment is not exactly like that endured by an ordinary materialistic person
- Out of affection, King Bharata accepted the small deer as if it were a prince. This is called moha. Due to his anxiety over the deer's absence, the King addressed the animal as though it were his son. Out of affection, anyone can be addressed as anything
S
- Since this was the case with Bharata Maharaja, what can we say of those who are not advanced in spiritual life but who become attached to cats and dogs
- Sometimes, in order to preach, we have to accept many material activities, but we should remember that everything is for Krsna. If we remember this, there is no chance of our being victimized by material activities
- 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
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited such attachment to the Lord when He jumped into the ocean or cried at night in separation. However, if our attachment is diverted to material things instead of to the Lord, we will fall down from the spiritual platform
T
- The best course is to take the advice of Srila Rupa Gosvami. We should see that every moment of our lives is utilized for the rendering of devotional service and nothing else. This is the secure position for one wanting to return home, back to Godhead
- The conclusion must be that Maharaja Bharata purposefully became over-addicted to the deer and neglected his spiritual advancement
- The constant hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord is recommended in Bhagavad-gita: satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah - BG 9.14
- The fact that Bharata Maharaja had to get up at intervals to look for the deer was simply a sign that he had fallen down from the spiritual platform
- The laws of nature work in subtle ways unknown to us
- The members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness must take a lesson from the life of Bharata Maharaja to be very cautious and to see that not a single moment is wasted in frivolous talk, sleep or voracious eating
- The only benefit we can render to suffering beings is to try to raise them to spiritual consciousness. Material comforts cannot be increased or decreased. It is therefore said in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.18), tal labhyate duhkhavad anyatah sukham
- There are many devotees in Vrndavana who regularly bathe in the Yamuna, and this cleanses all the contamination of the material world
- There is every chance of a woman's having a miscarriage if she experiences some ecstatic emotion or is frightened. Pregnant women should therefore be spared all these external influences
- There was a difference between Bharata Maharaja's acquiring a deer body and others' acquiring different bodies according to their mental condition at the time of death
- These things cannot be given up. One should not think oneself very advanced simply because one has accepted the sannyasa order. The activities of Bharata Maharaja should be carefully studied for one's spiritual advancement
- They (devotees of god) take on these lower life forms for a short while, and after they give up those animal bodies, they are again promoted to the spiritual world. Such punishment is only for a short period, and it is not due to past karma
- This is a special concession for a devotee. Even if he attains a body that is nonhuman, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead he advances further in devotional service, whether by remembering his past life or by natural causes
- Those who have taken to Krsna consciousness should be very careful that not a single moment is wasted and that not a single moment is spent without chanting and remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His activities
- Tigers never wander in the forest in flocks. Each tiger wanders alone, but forest boars keep together. Hogs, wolves and dogs also do the same. Thus Maharaja Bharata thought that the deer had been killed by some of many ferocious animals within the forest
- To immediately rectify his mistake, for a short time he (Bharata) was awarded the body of a deer. This was just to increase his desire for mature devotional service
W
- We can understand how we have to be very cautious in executing our spiritual duties by observing the rules and regulations and regularly chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. If we neglect doing this, we will eventually fall down
- 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
- When a person is advanced in spiritual consciousness or Krsna consciousness, he naturally becomes very sympathetic toward all living entities suffering in the material world. Naturally such an advanced person thinks of the suffering of people in general