Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 15
Jaḍa Bharata’s Birth, Feigned Madness, and Protection by Goddess Kālī
अथ पणयस्तं स्वविधिनाभिषिच्याहतेन वाससाऽऽच्छाद्य भूषणालेपस्रक्तिलकादिभिरुपस्कृतं भुक्तवन्तं धूपदीपमाल्यलाजकिसलयाङ्कुरफलोपहारोपेतया वैशससंस्थयामहता गीतस्तुतिमृदङ्गपणवघोषेण च पुरुषपशुं भद्रकाल्या: पुरत उपवेशयामासु: ॥ १५ ॥
atha paṇayas taṁ sva-vidhinābhiṣicyāhatena vāsasācchādya bhūṣaṇālepa-srak-tilakādibhir upaskṛtaṁ bhuktavantaṁ dhūpa-dīpa-mālya-lāja-kisalayāṅkura-phalopahāropetayā vaiśasa-saṁsthayā mahatā gīta-stuti-mṛdaṅga-paṇava-ghoṣeṇa ca puruṣa-paśuṁ bhadra-kālyāḥ purata upaveśayām āsuḥ.
随后，群盗依其臆造的“人兽”杀祭仪式，为贾达·婆罗多沐浴，给他披上新衣，以饰物装点，涂抹芬芳香膏，并以提拉卡、檀香膏与花鬘庄严其身；又让他饱食一顿。继而将他带到婆陀罗迦梨女神前，奉上香、灯、花鬘、炒谷、嫩枝、新芽、果实与花朵等供品；在歌咏赞颂与鼓（mṛdaṅga）及号角（paṇava）的喧响中，把这“人兽”安置于女神座前。
In this verse the word sva-vidhinā (according to their own ritualistic principles) is very significant. According to the Vedic śāstras, everything must be done according to regulative principles, but here it is stated that the thieves and rogues devised their own process for killing an animalistic man. The tamasic śāstras give instructions for the sacrifice of an animal like a goat or buffalo before the goddess Kālī, but there is no mention of killing a man, however dull he may be. This process was manufactured by the dacoits themselves; therefore the word sva-vidhinā is used. Even at this time there are many sacrifices being conducted without reference to the Vedic scriptures. For instance, in Calcutta recently a slaughterhouse was being advertised as a temple of the goddess Kālī. Meat-eaters foolishly purchase meat from such shops, thinking it different from ordinary meat and taking it to be the prasāda of Goddess Kālī. The sacrifice of a goat or a similar animal before the goddess Kālī is mentioned in śāstras just to keep people from eating slaughterhouse meat and becoming responsible for the killing of animals. The conditioned soul has a natural tendency toward sex and meat-eating; consequently the śāstras grant them some concessions. Actually the śāstras aim at putting an end to these abominable activities, but they impart some regulative principles so that gradually meat-eaters and sex hunters will be rectified.
FAQs
This verse depicts merchants preparing a cruel “sacrifice” by treating Jaḍa Bharata like a sacrificial animal, highlighting how ritual without true dharma and compassion becomes a misuse born of ignorance.
In the narrative, the merchants, misled by fear and wrong understanding, attempted to perform a dreadful rite; they mistook Jaḍa Bharata for a suitable victim and proceeded with elaborate external worship.
External religiosity without wisdom, compassion, and right discernment can become harmful; true spirituality in the Bhagavatam aligns worship with dharma, mercy, and purity of intention.