Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 42
The Forest of Material Existence (Saṁsāra-vana) and the Delivering Path of Bharata’s Teachings
तस्येदमुपगायन्ति— आर्षभस्येह राजर्षेर्मनसापि महात्मन: । नानुवर्त्मार्हति नृपो मक्षिकेव गरुत्मत: ॥ ४२ ॥
tasyedam upagāyanti — ārṣabhasyeha rājarṣer manasāpi mahātmanaḥ nānuvartmārhati nṛpo makṣikeva garutmataḥ
Sa paglalagom ng aral ni Jaḍa Bharata, sinabi ni Śukadeva Gosvāmī: O Haring Parīkṣit, ang landas na itinuro ng dakilang kaluluwang ito ay tulad ng landas ni Garuḍa, sasakyan ng Panginoon; samantalang ang karaniwang mga hari ay gaya lamang ng mga langaw. Hindi masusundan ng langaw ang landas ni Garuḍa; gayundin, hanggang ngayon, kahit ang mga dakilang haring nagwagi ay hindi nakasunod sa landas ng paglilingkod na bhakti, ni sa isip man lamang.
As Kṛṣṇa says in Bhagavad-gītā (7.3) :
FAQs
This verse warns that ordinary people—even kings—should not imitate the extraordinary conduct of a mahātmā like Ṛṣabhadeva; instead one should follow genuine principles of devotion and dharma according to one’s qualification.
Garuḍa represents a supremely powerful, divine being; a fly cannot match his flight. Likewise, a conditioned soul cannot replicate the superhuman renunciation and freedom of a perfected saint like Ṛṣabhadeva.
Avoid performative renunciation or extreme practices beyond your capacity; adopt steady sādhana—hearing, chanting, and disciplined living—while honoring great souls without trying to copy their external behavior.