Shloka 19

Bharata Mahārāja’s Attachment to a Deer and His Fall from Yoga

Devanagari script

निम्‍लोचति ह भगवान् सकलजगत्क्षेमोदयस्त्रय्यात्माद्यापि मम न मृगवधून्यास आगच्छति ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

nimlocati ha bhagavān sakala-jagat-kṣemodayas trayy-ātmādyāpi mama na mṛga-vadhū-nyāsa āgacchati.

Translation

Alas! Bhagavan Surya, the source of the world’s welfare and awakening, the very embodiment of the Vedas, is now setting; yet the poor doe who trusted me after her mother’s death has still not returned.

Synonyms

निम्लोचतिsets (goes down)

हindeed

भगवान्the Lord; the Blessed one

सकलजगत्क्षेमोदयःthe source of the whole world’s welfare and prosperity

त्रय्यात्माwhose essence is the three Vedas

अद्यापिeven today, still

ममof me, my

नnot

मृगवधून्यासःthe doe’s entrusting/placement (i.e., her coming to be placed near me)

आगच्छतिcomes, arrives

Purport

In the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.52) , the sun is described as the eye of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Characters & Entities

Bharata Maharaja

Bhagavan (as Surya, the Sun-god manifestation)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about attachment to animals or dependents?

This verse shows Bharata Maharaja’s mind turning from steady spiritual practice to anxious attachment for a deer, illustrating how misplaced affection can disturb remembrance of Bhagavan.

Why did Bharata Maharaja say this about the Lord setting?

Seeing sunset, Bharata notes time passing and worries the fawn he had set down has not returned—revealing how his attention has shifted from worship to concern for the deer.

Practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Care for others responsibly, but keep devotional priorities intact—use schedules, satsanga, and daily japa/reading so anxiety and attachment do not replace spiritual focus.