Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 16
Jaḍa Bharata’s Birth, Feigned Madness, and Protection by Goddess Kālī
अथ वृषलराजपणि: पुरुषपशोरसृगासवेन देवीं भद्रकालीं यक्ष्यमाणस्तदभिमन्त्रितमसिमतिकरालनिशितमुपाददे ॥ १६ ॥
atha vṛṣala-rāja-paṇiḥ puruṣa-paśor asṛg-āsavena devīṁ bhadra-kālīṁ yakṣyamāṇas tad-abhimantritam asim ati-karāla-niśitam upādade.
तेव्हा वृषलराजाचा एक चोर, पुरोहितासारखा वागून, ‘पुरुषपशू’ जडभरताच्या रक्तरूपी आसवाने भद्रकाली देवीचे यजन करायला सिद्ध झाला. त्याने भद्रकालीच्या मंत्राने अभिमंत्रित अतिभयानक व तीक्ष्ण तलवार उचलली।
FAQs
This verse depicts bandits committing adharma—attempting to worship Bhadrakālī through a blood offering from a human victim—showing the perversion of religion when driven by violence and ignorance.
In the narrative, the bandits are deluded and cruel; they seek success and power through a fear-based ritual, treating a man as a sacrificial animal and preparing a mantra-consecrated sword for the act.
The verse warns against using “religion” to justify harm—true dharma and bhakti never require cruelty; spiritual practice should increase compassion, purity, and reverence for life.