Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 13
Jaḍa Bharata’s Birth, Feigned Madness, and Protection by Goddess Kālī
तस्य ह दैवमुक्तस्य पशो: पदवीं तदनुचरा: परिधावन्तो निशि निशीथसमये तमसाऽऽवृतायामनधिगतपशव आकस्मिकेन विधिना केदारान् वीरासनेन मृगवराहादिभ्य: संरक्षमाणमङ्गिर:प्रवरसुतमपश्यन् ॥ १३ ॥
tasya ha daiva-muktasya paśoḥ padavīṁ tad-anucarāḥ paridhāvanto niśi niśītha-samaye tamasāvṛtāyām anadhigata-paśava ākasmikena vidhinā kedārān vīrāsanena mṛga-varāhādibhyaḥ saṁrakṣamāṇam aṅgiraḥ-pravara-sutam apaśyan.
The leader of the dacoits captured a man-animal for sacrifice, but he escaped, and the leader ordered his followers to find him. They ran in different directions but could not find him. Wandering here and there in the middle of the night, covered by dense darkness, they came to a paddy field where they saw the exalted son of the Āṅgirā family [Jaḍa Bharata], who was sitting in an elevated place guarding the field against the attacks of deer and wild pigs.
FAQs
This verse shows the animal was “released by destiny,” and by a sudden divine arrangement the searchers encountered Bharata—illustrating how providence can swiftly redirect events and reveal hidden situations.
While searching for the lost animal’s tracks in deep darkness and failing, providence led them to Bharata, who was seated vigilantly and protecting the fields from wild animals.
Even in difficult, confusing circumstances (like “midnight darkness”), steady duty and vigilance can expose the real issue—reminding seekers to stay alert and disciplined rather than be driven by panic or distraction.