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.
Aquel “animal para el sacrificio” escapó por designio del destino. Sus seguidores corrieron en todas direcciones en la medianoche, envuelta en densa oscuridad, pero no lo hallaron. Vagando sin rumbo, llegaron a un arrozal y vieron al excelso hijo de la estirpe de Āṅgirā, Jaḍa Bharata, sentado en un lugar elevado en postura de vīrāsana, guardando el campo de los ataques de ciervos y jabalíes.
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.