Shloka 11
Bharata Mahārāja’s Attachment to a Deer and His Fall from Yoga
इति कृतानुषङ्ग आसनशयनाटनस्नानाशनादिषु सह मृगजहुना स्नेहानुबद्धहृदय आसीत् ॥ ११ ॥
iti kṛtānuṣaṅga āsana-śayanāṭana-snānāśanādiṣu saha mṛga-jahunā snehānubaddha-hṛdaya āsīt.
Attached to the deer, Mahārāja Bharata would lie down with it, walk with it, bathe with it, and even eat with it. Thus his heart became bound in affection to the young animal.
FAQs
This verse shows that even a saintly person can become spiritually distracted when the heart becomes bound by affection—so one must keep devotion central and avoid entangling attachment.
To illustrate how subtle attachment gradually occupies one’s entire routine, replacing spiritual focus with constant concern for the object of affection.
Care for family, pets, and responsibilities with duty, but maintain steady sādhana—daily hearing, chanting, and remembrance—so affection does not become bondage.