Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 29
Pūru-vaṁśa, Duṣmanta–Śakuntalā, and the Rise of Mahārāja Bharata
भरतस्य महत् कर्म न पूर्वे नापरे नृपा: । नैवापुर्नैव प्राप्स्यन्ति बाहुभ्यां त्रिदिवं यथा ॥ २९ ॥
bharatasya mahat karma na pūrve nāpare nṛpāḥ naivāpur naiva prāpsyanti bāhubhyāṁ tridivaṁ yathā
As one cannot approach the heavenly planets simply by the strength of his arms (for who can touch the heavenly planets with his hands?), one cannot imitate the wonderful activities of Mahārāja Bharata. No one could perform such activities in the past, nor will anyone be able to do so in the future.
FAQs
This verse praises Bharata’s extraordinary achievement, stating that neither previous nor future kings could match it, and that he attained heaven through his own prowess.
Śukadeva speaks to Parīkṣit Mahārāja (a king) and, by extension, to royal rulers, highlighting Bharata as an unsurpassed standard of royal might and accomplishment.
The verse emphasizes excellence and responsibility in one’s duty—striving for uncommon integrity and capability in one’s role, while remembering that true greatness is measured by exemplary action.