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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
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja
5.8.115.8.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.8.12

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

कुशकुसुमसमित्पलाशफलमूलोदकान्याहरिष्यमाणो वृकसालावृकादिभ्यो भयमाशंसमानो यदा सह हरिणकुणकेन वनं समाविशति ॥ १२ ॥

kuśa-kusuma-samit-palāśa-phala-mūlodakāny āhariṣyamāṇo vṛkasālā-vṛkādibhyo bhayam āśaṁsamāno yadā saha hariṇa-kuṇakena vanaṁ samāviśati.

Translation

When Mahārāja Bharata wanted to enter the forest to collect kuśa grass, flowers, wood, leaves, fruits, roots and water, he would fear that dogs, jackals, tigers and other ferocious animals might kill the deer. He would therefore always take the deer with him when entering the forest.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Increase Affection for the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Bharata feared that ferocious animals might kill the deer. He therefore took it with him whenever he entered the forest.

  2. 2

    Even though he had attained loving affection for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his attachment to the animal caused him to fall from his spiritual position.

  3. 3

    Unless we increase our faith and love for the Supreme Lord, we become attracted to other things. Such attachment is the cause of material bondage.

Key points from the purport
  • How Mahārāja Bharata increased his affection for the deer is described herein.
  • Since this was the case with Bharata Mahārāja, what can we say of those who are not advanced in spiritual life but who become attached to cats and dogs?
  • Due to their affection for their cats and dogs, they 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.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

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

Further reading

Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As it grew up, it became Mahārāja Bharata’s constant companion, and he always took care of it. Gradually he became so absorbed in thinking of this deer that his mind became agitated.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kuśaa kind of grass required for ritualistic ceremonies
  2. kusumaflowers
  3. samitfirewood
  4. palāśaleaves
  5. phala-mūlafruits and roots
  6. udakāniand water
  7. āhariṣyamāṇaḥdesiring to collect
  8. vṛkasālā-vṛkafrom wolves and dogs
3

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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 5.8

    In this verse: “fear”, “feared”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.8

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 5.8

    In this verse: “love”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is your affection for the Supreme Lord growing alongside your other concerns?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to turn your attention and affection toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIncrease Affection for the Supreme LordThis 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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