Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 1
Rahūgaṇa Meets Jaḍa Bharata: The Shaking Palanquin and the Teaching Beyond Body-Identity
श्रीशुक उवाच अथ सिन्धुसौवीरपते रहूगणस्य व्रजत इक्षुमत्यास्तटे तत्कुलपतिना शिबिकावाहपुरुषान्वेषणसमये दैवेनोपसादित: स द्विजवर उपलब्ध एष पीवा युवा संहननाङ्गो गोखरवद्धुरं वोढुमलमिति पूर्वविष्टिगृहीतै: सह गृहीत: प्रसभमतदर्ह उवाह शिबिकां स महानुभाव: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca atha sindhu-sauvīra-pate rahūgaṇasya vrajata ikṣumatyās taṭe tat-kula-patinā śibikā-vāha-puruṣānveṣaṇa-samaye daivenopasāditaḥ sa dvija-vara upalabdha eṣa pīvā yuvā saṁhananāṅgo go-kharavad dhuraṁ voḍhum alam iti pūrva-viṣṭi-gṛhītaiḥ saha gṛhītaḥ prasabham atad-arha uvāha śibikāṁ sa mahānubhāvaḥ.
शुकदेव गोस्वामी म्हणाले: राजा रहूगणाचे सेवक इक्षुमती नदीच्या काठावर पालखी वाहक शोधत होते. त्यांनी जड भरताला तरुण आणि बैलासारखा धष्टपुष्ट पाहून, त्या महात्म्याला पालखी वाहण्यासाठी बळजबरीने पकडले.
FAQs
Because the palanquin leader, judging only by Jada Bharata’s strong body, thought he was fit for labor; by providence he was seized to replace a missing carrier, setting the stage for Rahūgaṇa’s later spiritual awakening.
The verse highlights how worldly people misjudge saints by externals, while the Bhagavatam teaches that true greatness (mahānubhāva) is recognized by realization and character, not by social role or bodily appearance.
Do not evaluate people only by looks, status, or utility; practice humility and discernment, and remain open to wisdom coming from unexpected sources.