Shloka 10
Bharata Mahārāja’s Attachment to a Deer and His Fall from Yoga
नूनं ह्यार्या: साधव उपशमशीला: कृपणसुहृद एवंविधार्थे स्वार्थानपि गुरुतरानुपेक्षन्ते ॥ १० ॥
nūnaṁ hy āryāḥ sādhava upaśama-śīlāḥ kṛpaṇa-suhṛda evaṁ-vidhārthe svārthān api gurutarān upekṣante.
แท้จริงแล้ว ผู้ประเสริฐและนักบุญย่อมมีจิตสงบและเปี่ยมเมตตาต่อสรรพชีวิตที่ทุกข์ยาก เพื่อคุ้มครองผู้มาขอพึ่งเช่นนี้ เขายอมละแม้ประโยชน์ส่วนตนที่สำคัญยิ่ง
Māyā is very strong. In the name of philanthropy, altruism and communism, people are feeling compassion for suffering humanity throughout the world. Philanthropists and altruists do not realize that it is impossible to improve people’s material conditions. Material conditions are already established by the superior administration according to one’s karma. They cannot be changed. The only benefit we can render to suffering beings is to try to raise them to spiritual consciousness. Material comforts cannot be increased or decreased. It is therefore said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.18) , tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham: “As far as material happiness is concerned, that comes without effort, just as tribulations come without effort.” Material happiness and pain can be attained without endeavor. One should not bother for material activities. If one is at all sympathetic or able to do good to others, he should endeavor to raise people to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In this way everyone advances spiritually by the grace of the Lord. For our instruction, Bharata Mahārāja acted in such a way. We should be very careful not to be misled by so-called welfare activities conducted in bodily terms. One should not give up his interest in attaining the favor of Lord Viṣṇu at any cost. Generally people do not know this, or they forget it. Consequently they sacrifice their original interest, the attainment of Viṣṇu’s favor, and engage in philanthropic activities for bodily comfort.
FAQs
This verse highlights that sadhus are peaceful by nature (upaśama-śīlāḥ) and compassionate well-wishers of the helpless (kṛpaṇa-suhṛdaḥ), even setting aside their own interests to help others.
In the narrative of Bharata Mahārāja, the point is that true nobility expresses itself as mercy and service; such compassion can lead one to take on responsibilities for the vulnerable, even at personal spiritual cost.
Practice calm-minded compassion: help those in need while staying anchored in your spiritual priorities—serve without losing your sādhana, and keep boundaries so mercy does not become unhealthy attachment.