Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.34
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Mercy Toward Bharata
“Upon reaching Ayodhyā, Lord Rāmacandra heard that in His absence His brother Bharata was eating barley cooked in the urine of a cow, covering His body with the bark of trees, wearing matted locks of hair, and lying on a mattress of kuśa. The most merciful Lord very much lamented this.”
What the purport teaches
- During Lord Rāmacandra’s absence, Bharata ate barley cooked in the urine of a cow.
- Bharata wore tree bark and matted hair and lay on a mattress of kuśa.
- Upon hearing this, the most merciful Lord Rāmacandra lamented very much.
Try this today
Pause for a minute to reflect on the words “the most merciful Lord” and His concern for Bharata.
Ask yourself
What does the Lord’s response to Bharata’s hardships help you appreciate about His mercy?
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.