Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.10.1
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Great Soul Judged by Bodily Strength
“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.”
What the purport teaches
- While King Rahūgaṇa was traveling to Kapilāśrama, his palanquin carriers needed another carrier.
- They found Jaḍa Bharata and judged him by his youth, strength and firm limbs. They considered him fit to carry loads like cows and asses.
- Although Jaḍa Bharata was a great soul and unfit for such work, they unhesitatingly forced him to carry the palanquin.
Try this today
Today, pause before judging someone by physical appearance or strength.
Ask yourself
Do I sometimes judge people only by their appearance or usefulness to me?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.