The Lover's Life - 9b

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Long ago, he was a great Indian king. India,

which is also called Bharat, was named after him. After

ruling for many years, he renounced his kingdom and

retired to the forest for enlightenment practices. There,

one day, while he was meditating on the banks of a

river, a pregnant deer who was being pursued by a tiger,

jumped into the river near by where the king was

meditating. The deer died in the leap, but not before giving

birth to a fawn. The king took the new born into his

care and soon became excessively attached to the fawn.

Shortly thereafter, he died. <br><br>Because he was

constantly thinking about the fawn and what one thinks about

at the time of death determines the next

incarnation, the king was born as a deer, but with complete

remembrance of his previous birth. As a deer, he stayed near

to a sage's ashram and focused his mind on the

highest pursuit of life. He ate the sage's leftovers and

soon dropped that form and was born again, this time

as a Brahmin. <br><br>Not wanting to be obstructed

in his path by anyone or thing, he appeared to all

as a fool. After his father died, he wandered the

world. Once when captured to be used as a human

sacrifice, he remained totally fearless. When the appointed

hour arrived, the goddess manifested in the

sacrificial hall and saved him by killing all of his captors.

His wandering continued until one day, another king,

who was in search of enlightenment came upon him and

needed an extra bearer to carry his palaquin. king

Bharat, now appearing as the Brahman fool, agreed to help

carry the king, but when he didn't keep pace with the

other bearers, he was reprimanded by the king. When

king Bharat indicated that his stride was unique, the

king who was looking for the great teacher, suddenly

realized that he was below him. He climbed down and became

his humble disciple. <br><br>It was only after many

trials that king Bharat attained his goal, Hari

realization. Regardless of his wandering senses, he persevered

and kept his focus. Similarly, the lover who is

firmly established in devotion, regardless of world

situation, becomes a vessel for His bhava. With His

remembrace, there are no obstructions, in the blessed state,

the song continues. <br><br>(continued..)