Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 20
Ṛṣabhadeva Instructs His Sons: Tapasya, Mahātmā-Sevā, and Cutting the Heart-Knot
तस्माद्भवन्तो हृदयेन जाता: सर्वे महीयांसममुं सनाभम् । अक्लिष्टबुद्ध्या भरतं भजध्वं शुश्रूषणं तद्भरणं प्रजानाम् ॥ २० ॥
tasmād bhavanto hṛdayena jātāḥ sarve mahīyāṁsam amuṁ sanābham akliṣṭa-buddhyā bharataṁ bhajadhvaṁ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ tad bharaṇaṁ prajānām
因此，亲爱的孩子们，你们皆由我心而生；我心乃一切灵性德性的座处。故不可如物欲而嫉妒之人。以清净无扰之智，敬奉并事奉你们长兄婆罗多(Bharata)，他在奉爱中卓越；事奉他即含事奉我，而护民治国亦将自然成就。
In this verse the word hṛdaya indicates the heart, which is also called uraḥ, the chest. The heart is situated within the chest, and although instrumentally the son is born with the aid of the genitals, he is actually born from within the heart. According to the heart’s situation, the semen takes the form of a body. Therefore according to the Vedic system, when one begets a child his heart should be purified through the ritualistic ceremony known as garbhādhāna. Ṛṣabhadeva’s heart was always uncontaminated and spiritual. Consequently all the sons born from the heart of Ṛṣabhadeva were spiritually inclined. Nonetheless, Ṛṣabhadeva suggested that His eldest son was superior, and He advised the others to serve him. All the brothers of Bharata Mahārāja were advised by Ṛṣabhadeva to adhere to Bharata’s service. The question may be asked why one should be attached to family members, for in the beginning it was advised that one should not be attached to home and family. However, it is also advised, mahīyasām pāda-rajo-’bhiṣeka — one has to serve the mahīyān, one who is very spiritually advanced. Mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ: by serving the mahat, the exalted devotee, one’s path for liberation is open. The family of Ṛṣabhadeva should not be compared to an ordinary materialistic family. Bharata Mahārāja, Ṛṣabhadeva’s eldest son, was specifically very exalted. For this reason the other sons were advised to serve him for his pleasure. That was to be their duty.
FAQs
This verse instructs Ṛṣabhadeva’s sons to worship and attentively serve Bharata, supporting him in the duty of caring for and protecting the citizens.
Ṛṣabhadeva recognizes Bharata as the most exalted among the brothers and directs the others to unite in loyal service so Bharata can successfully carry the burden of righteous rule.
Support qualified leadership with cooperation and service, avoid rivalry among peers, and share responsibility for the welfare of the community with a clear, steady mind.