Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 20
Bharata Mahārāja’s Attachment to a Deer and His Fall from Yoga
अपिस्विदकृतसुकृतमागत्य मां सुखयिष्यति हरिणराजकुमारो विविधरुचिरदर्शनीयनिजमृगदारकविनोदैरसन्तोषं स्वानामपनुदन् ॥ २० ॥
api svid akṛta-sukṛtam āgatya māṁ sukhayiṣyati hariṇa-rāja-kumāro vividha-rucira-darśanīya-nija-mṛga-dāraka-vinodair asantoṣaṁ svānām apanudan.
あの小鹿は王子のように戻って来て、私を慰めてくれるだろうか。いつまた、愛らしい遊びと美しい所作を見せて、傷ついた我が心を鎮めてくれるのか。きっと私の功徳が乏しいのだ、さもなくばもう帰っていたはずだ。
Out of strong affection, the King accepted the small deer as if it were a prince. This is called moha. Due to his anxiety over the deer’s absence, the King addressed the animal as though it were his son. Out of affection, anyone can be addressed as anything.
FAQs
This verse shows Bharata Mahārāja’s mind becoming absorbed in the fawn—his happiness and distress start depending on it—illustrating how worldly attachment can overtake spiritual focus.
Because his affection turned into dependence; remembering the fawn’s sweetness and playfulness, he longs for its return, revealing how even a saint can slip when vigilance in detachment is lost.
Care for others responsibly, but keep your inner center in devotion—notice when the mind’s peace starts hinging on a person/pet/outcome, and redirect attention to sādhana, prayer, and remembrance of the Lord.