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.
L’« animal de sacrifice » s’étant échappé par décret du destin, ses hommes coururent en tous sens au cœur de la nuit, couverte d’une épaisse obscurité, sans le trouver. Errant çà et là, ils arrivèrent à une rizière et virent Jaḍa Bharata, l’illustre fils de la lignée d’Āṅgirā, assis en hauteur en vīrāsana, protégeant le champ contre les cerfs et les sangliers.
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.