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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.

Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›

Canto 5 · Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja

5.8.10 5.8.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.8.11

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:The great King Mahārāja Bharatasince 5.8.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

A turning point forBharata / Jaḍa Bharata· Care becomes fixation

इति कृतानुषङ्ग आसनशयनाटनस्‍नानाशनादिषु सह मृगजहुना स्‍नेहानुबद्धहृदय आसीत् ॥ ११ ॥

iti kṛtānuṣaṅga āsana-śayanāṭana-snānāśanādiṣu saha mṛga-jahunā snehānubaddha-hṛdaya āsīt.

Translation

Due to attachment for the deer, Mahārāja Bharata lay down with it, walked about with it, bathed with it and even ate with it. Thus his heart became bound to the deer in affection.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Daily Companionship Bound His Heart

1
Mahārāja Bharata lay down and walked about with the deer. His attachment became part of his daily life.
2
He also bathed and ate with the deer, keeping it with him even during ordinary activities.
3
Through this companionship, his heart became bound to the deer in affection.

How it feels

Compassion and attachment → Regret and vigilance. Affection becomes binding when it displaces devotion.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 5: Bharata, the deer and the birth of Jaḍa Bharata. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Although Bharata Mahārāja was very elevated, he fell down due to his attachment to a young deer. One day after Bharata Mahārāja had taken his bath as usual in the river Gaṇḍakī and was chanting his mantra, he saw a pregnant deer come to the river to drink water.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 5.8

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

itithus
kṛta-anuṣaṅgaḥhaving developed attachment
āsanasitting
śayanalying down
aṭanawalking
snānabathing
āśana-ādiṣuwhile eating and so on
saha mṛga-jahunāwith the deer calf

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

Ūti · The creative impetus
Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.8
In this verse: “attachment”
Sakhya · Sacred friendship
The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.8
In this verse: “companionship”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What attachment is becoming stronger through your daily habits?

Practice

Notice one daily habit that strengthens an attachment, and briefly reflect on how it holds your heart.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDaily Companionship Bound His HeartThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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