Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 42
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
तस्येदमुपगायन्ति— आर्षभस्येह राजर्षेर्मनसापि महात्मन: । नानुवर्त्मार्हति नृपो मक्षिकेव गरुत्मत: ॥ ४२ ॥
tasyedam upagāyanti — ārṣabhasyeha rājarṣer manasāpi mahātmanaḥ nānuvartmārhati nṛpo makṣikeva garutmataḥ
Résumant l’enseignement de Jaḍa Bharata, Śukadeva Gosvāmī dit : Ô roi Parīkṣit, la voie indiquée par ce grand être est semblable à la route de Garuḍa, le porteur du Seigneur, tandis que les rois ordinaires sont comme des mouches. Les mouches ne peuvent suivre la trajectoire de Garuḍa; de même, jusqu’à ce jour, même les grands rois victorieux n’ont pu suivre cette voie du service dévotionnel, pas même en pensée.
As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.3) :
FAQs
This verse warns that ordinary people—even kings—should not imitate the extraordinary conduct of a mahātmā like Ṛṣabhadeva; instead one should follow genuine principles of devotion and dharma according to one’s qualification.
Garuḍa represents a supremely powerful, divine being; a fly cannot match his flight. Likewise, a conditioned soul cannot replicate the superhuman renunciation and freedom of a perfected saint like Ṛṣabhadeva.
Avoid performative renunciation or extreme practices beyond your capacity; adopt steady sādhana—hearing, chanting, and disciplined living—while honoring great souls without trying to copy their external behavior.