Shloka 12
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.
Whenever Mahārāja Bharata entered the forest to gather kuśa grass, flowers, firewood, leaves, fruits, roots, and water, he feared that dogs, jackals, tigers, and other ferocious animals might kill the young deer. Therefore, each time he went into the forest, he always took the deer with him.
How Mahārāja Bharata increased his affection for the deer is described herein. Even such an exalted personality as Bharata Mahārāja, who had attained loving affection for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fell down from his position due to his affection for some animal. Consequently, as will be seen, he had to accept the body of a deer in his next life. 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. Unless we increase our faith in the Supreme Lord, we shall be attracted to many other things. That is the cause of our material bondage.
FAQs
This verse shows Bharata Mahārāja’s growing attachment to the fawn—he even altered his routine to keep it with him—illustrating how affection can gradually divert the mind from exclusive devotion and steady sādhana.
Because he had accepted the fawn as an object of care, he began to fear threats in the environment (wolves, wild dogs, etc.), revealing how possessiveness creates anxiety even for an advanced renunciant.
Care for others responsibly, but guard the mind: don’t let protective anxiety and constant worry replace remembrance of Bhagavān; keep spiritual priorities (japa, hearing, service) non-negotiable.