Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Respected Richard Sir I look forward to more readings like this one. Regards Rps - "Richard Shaw Brown" <rsbj66 <>; <vedic astrology> Friday, February 24, 2006 1:11 AM LESSON OF KING BHARAT > > LESSON OF KING BHARAT > > Easy narration by Richard Shaw Brown > > PART I > INTRODUCTION > > Period: Treta (Silver) Yuga - over one million years BC > > Bharata, the eldest son of King Rishabdev, was a devout Theist. When > his exalted father retired from material life to seek God alone in the > wilderness, he appointed his foremost son, Bharata, to succeed him as > King. > > Accepting his father's order he began to rule the vast Kingdom (modern > India is STILL named Bharata, but during the time of Bharat's rule his > domain, known as Bharata varsha, included all the land between Persia > and South East Asia). Following his father's wishes he also married > beautiful Pancajana (lit. five persons), who became his Queen. > > In the womb of Queen Pancajana King Bharata procreated five wonderful > sons, who were named Sumati, Rashtrabhrita, Sudarshana, Aavarana and > Dhumraketu. > > Originally this (Asian-known) Earth was called Ajanabha-varsha (in > Vedic history), but since the time of King Bharata it became known as > Bharata-varsha (now shrunk to modern India). > > King Bharata ruled with great skill, and treated his subjects like a > father treats a child. He was very expert and wise, and he showed his > people by example how to perform their duties according to their inbred > qualities and activities. Protecting and leading the people of his > kingdom King Bharata ruled with strength and compassion. > > With a mind to propitiate and please God, King Bharata performed the > various Vedic sacrifices and ceremonies. > Believing that all the Vedic Hierarchy and all beings were part of God, > King Bharata always mentally offered the good karma acquired through > his activities back to God, for the pleasure of God, knowing that by > watering the "root" of a tree you thereby nourish the entire tree. In > this way he performed all his duties as an offering to God. > > Through manifold pious activities carried out during his very long life > King Bharata's consciousness became pure, and he became free of lust, > anger, infatuation and material attachment. His heart having become > clean his devotion to the Lord of the Universe grew every day. > > The all-attractive Lord of the Universe, is the highest Being, and He > manifests Himself in three ways, 1) as Paramatma or supersoul within > the heart of every living being, 2) as Brahman or the impersonal > all-pervading totally of life, and also 3) as Bhagavan or the > beautifully dressed and adorned Supreme Being Who always resides with > unlimited devotes in His eternal spiritual paradise. > > According to his good karma King Bharat enjoyed material pleasures and > ruled for a very long time; but when he felt his time was up, he > decided to retire from family life, and accordingly he divided the > wealth and domain he had inherited amongst his five grown sons. > > Having duly installed his sons as the new rulers, Bharat resolutely > departed from his opulent palace and loving wife and family and walked, > alone and penniless, to a place in the Himalayas near Haridwar (lit. > Door to God) named Pulahasrama. This spot is sanctified by the divine > Sri Shalagram stones, which are found there. > > There, in the Krishna-Gandaki River, The Supreme Lord has mercifully > manifest Himself to His devotees in the form of smooth water-worn dark > stones called "Shalagram" which are decorated with the signs of the > chakra or discus and navel of the Supreme Lord. > > Having accepted the life of a mendicant, former King Bharat passed his > remaining days in the forest-ashram of Pulaha. By collecting fruits, > nuts, berries, flowers, and holy basil leaves he offered these items to > God via his Shalagram Stone Form, and Bharata himself subsided on the > leftovers - feeling more and more contented. > > Worshipping the Lord of the Universe in this manner his heart and mind > became completely purified and he felt great spiritual satisfaction in > his solitary service to God. He completely lost any desire for mundane > sense pleasures and remained steady in his devotion. > > Because he was such an exalted devotee, King Bharata, always engaged in > constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord, and his heart melted in > divine love. > > In fact, he became so absorbed in his devotional meditation that he > gradually lost all interest in rules and regulations, and remained > absorbed in remembrance of God and his spiritual attributes. > > Because of feeling divine ecstasy his body hairs stood up in goose > bumps, and so many tears of joy flooded his eyes that he was unable to > see clearly. In this manner he meditated on the form and glories of > God until his heart became like a calm lake of divine love; and with > his heart and mind so immersed he even forgot his routine duties. > > Physically King Bharat was very handsome, with thick curly hair on his > head that was always wet from bathing three times every day. He wore > only a deerskin. King Bharat worshiped God as the light within the Sun > by reciting Vedic Sanskrit verses and prayers. He would also pray in > the following words. > > "I bow to the Supreme Lord who is the bestower of intelligence. As the > light of the Sun, God Narayana illuminates the entire universe and > blesses all beings. > He has created this universe using his own material and spiritual > energies, and after creation he has entered into the heart of every > individual finite soul as Supersoul. By his varied energies Lord > Narayana is maintaining all living souls." > > One day after Bharat had finishing his morning cleansing and bathing > duties - He sat on the bank of the Gandaki River and began chanting his > mantras, beginning with OM. > > While Bharata sat chanting he saw that a pregnant doe had come to the > opposite river bank and was drinking water. > > Suddenly the load roar of a near by lion terrified the doe who by > nature was always afraid of being killed, and she leapt across the > river. Because the doe was pregnant and jumped out of fear, the baby > deer fell from her womb into the river. > > Meanwhile the doe reached the opposite river bank and immediately > dropped dead from acute distress and exhaustion. > > When King Bharata saw the motherless baby deer floating down the river > he felt great compassion. He immediately lifted the baby deer from the > water, and, like a true friend he brought the fawn to his Ashram hut. > > Seeing the helpless fawn King Bharata felt great compassion toward the > deer, and he began to feed it grass and protect it from the danger of > tigers and other animals. He felt compelled to raise the dear, and > becoming affectionate the King would pet it and even kiss it out of > love. > > He become so absorbed in raising the fawn that he gradually forgot his > holy duties and even forgot to meditate on and worship the Supreme > Lord. He began to think, "Oh what a pity. By destiny, which is a force > of God's Time factor, this young and helpless fawn has taken shelter of > me; I am its only family. The deer is completely trusting in me, with > full faith, so it is my duty to protect this creature, even at the cost > of neglecting my own spiritual life. It would be a great fault if for > my own selfish reasons I did not nurture this poor helpless creature > that has taken shelter with me. A good man will never neglect a > helpless being that has sought protection." > > "Even though the deer is disturbing my spiritual life, I realize that a > helpless being that has come under my shelter cannot be neglected. That > would be a great fault. > Even if one is a monk in the renounced they should feel compassion for > suffering living beings. A good man will certainly neglect his own > personal interests, however important they may be, to selflessly > protect one who has taken shelter." > > Through this association King Bharat developed an endearing attachment > for the young dear, and he would lay with it and play with it and even > eat with it. In this way his purified heart again became bound up in > material affection, this time to the young and charming deer. > > Whenever Bharat when into the forest to collect eatables and wood he > would always take the young dear with him out of affection for it's > playful and charming antics, as well as fear for it's safety from wild > animals. He became so affectionate that he would play with the dear and > sometimes even carry the young fawn on his shoulder. The King felt > great happiness in playing with the fawn. > > Whenever King Bharata engaged in some ritualistic spiritual practice he > would break at intervals to check on the well being of the deer. Seeing > that his beloved deer was comfortable he would bless it by saying, "My > dear fawn, may you always be well and happy!" > > Whenever the deer was out of sight King Bharat would worry, and like a > miser who had lost his wealth, he would lament in this manner. > > "Woe-is-me, my beloved fawn is missing and may have been killed by a > hard-hearted hunter. Alas, the poor deer is helpless and I am so > unfortunate that I cannot protect it. The deer has put full trust in me > although I am selfish and cruel. But this deer has faith in me, just as > a good man forgets the misbehavior of a friend and still maintains his > faith in him. Oh, I wonder, will this helpless creature again return?" > > "Has it been killed by wild animals? Will it again return and gladden > my heart with its playful ways and eating of soft grasses? I fear that > it has been eaten by a lone tiger or a flock of wild boars, or killed > by wild dogs devoid of mercy." > > "In the morning when the sun rises all auspicious things begin. But not > so for me, worried as I am about the welfare of the deer. And now the > sun is setting and still the poor deer has not yet returned." > > "Oh, when will I see the princely deer again playing so sweetly? When > will it come back and pacify my anxious heart? I must be devoid of good > karma otherwise the deer would have returned by now." > > "When I pretend to meditate the fawn would walk around me out of love > and nudge me with its soft baby horns to get my attention." > > "Whenever I try to prepare sacred articles for worship the deer would > pollute them by playfully touch with his mouth. And when I scold the > deer it becomes as still as a saint out of fear." > > Raving in this way the King went outside and seeing the footprints of > the deer on the ground, he praised the footprints out of love, saying, > "the footprints of this deer, which are soft, beautiful, most > auspicious, are imprinted on the surface of this fortunate Earth. By > following these soft footprints I can again regain the lost treasure of > my life. > > King Bharata continued speaking like a madman, and seeing the deer-like > spots on the full moon he thought that his deer must have been given > shelter by the Moon god, who is protecting it from lions. > > Looking at the Moon, Bharata began ranting like a madman, "In feeling > separation for the deer I am also feeling acute separation for my owns > sons. My heart is burning in agony of separation like being in a > forest-fire, and seeing my dilemma the friendly Moon is sending down > soothing beams just like a friend throws water on a friend suffering > from high fever. > > King Bharata was overwhelmed by an uncontrollable desire in the form of > the deer. Due to the results of his past karma he neglected his > meditation and fell down from the lofty height of mystic yoga, penance, > worship of God, and material detachment and lost his spiritual life. > > If not for past karma how else could Bharat have become attracted to a > deer, an animal, after having renounced his beautiful Queen, his loving > children, and kingdom while considering that material attachment > blocked salvation of his soul? He left his beloved family for > liberation and yet became ensnared by attachment to a deer. This can > only be the result of his past karma. > > King Bharat became so attached to the deer that he gradually gave up > all his spiritual practices and ignored the passage of time. Eventually > Death entered his hut just like a poisonous snake enters through a > mouse hole and stood before him. Seeing death, the King looked over at > the deer lying next to him, like his own son, and it was shedding tears > over his demise. > > Thus, at the time of death King Bharat's mind was absorbed in the body > of a deer, and after he left his human body he was reborn as a baby > deer at a nearby location. But because of his previous spiritual > activities even he lost his human body and took on the body of a deer > yet he did not forget his past life. This was due to the karma of his > previous spiritual attainments. > > Because of his high past karma his intelligence allowed him to > understand that he was in the body of a deer, and he could remember how > it happened. Remembering his fall down he said to himself. > > "What a huge mistake! Although advanced I have fallen from the > spiritual path. I renounced my loving sons, my affectionate wife and > heavenly kingdom just to make advancement in spiritual life, and I took > shelter in a lonely holy place in the wilderness. I had become > self-controlled and self-realized, and I engaged constantly in > remembering the Supreme Lord of the Universe. I was reaching success > and my heart was becoming like a clean mirror. But somehow I was so > foolish to allow my mind to once again become attached-to an animal, a > deer. Now I have been reborn in this body of a deer and have strayed > far away from my spiritual goal of life." . > > Bharat Maharaja was always feeling repentant. Very soon he left his > deer mother and managed to find his way back to the ashram where he had > last died, famous as the place of Shalagram Shila stones. Although > remaining alone he was always aware of the Super Soul within his heart. > He didn't want to make any new karma and simply waited until his > 'deer-body' karma was exhausted. > Finally he went into the waters of the river and stood, waist deep, and > fasted until his deer body died. > > Next he was born the son of a devout Brahmin belonging to the family > line of Angira. His new father was very expert in Vedic sciences and > was a learned and kind man, possessing good qualities like sense > control, non-violence, tolerance, and he was well acquainted with > Scriptures. > > The Brahmin had nine sons from his first wife, and from his second wife > he begot twins, a boy and a girl. It is stated that the twin boy was > none other than the reincarnation of the great devotee formally known > as King Bharat, and this is his amazing story after quitting his body > of a deer. > > Due to his exalted consciousness, Bharat, known at this point as > Jada-Bharat, could remember his previous lives. He was afraid of making > the same mistake and so he remained aloof from family attachments and > material activities. He didn't want to fall into the false bodily > identification again, so he behaved like a fool and dullard. This was > to avoid the company of the people; and so that no one would speak with > him, he appeared just like a madman, unhearing, unseeing, and > uncomprehending. > > Always remembering God within his heart he simply waited for this > balance of his karma (as a Brahmin son) to expire so he could finally > become free from material bondage. > > Jada Bharat means the soul of King Bharat, now enveloped in a > "jada-deha" or material body made of earth, water, fire, air, and > ether, known as "Jada" or matter. In other words, he had no identity > other than the material body. And his only desire was to exhaust that > remaining material karma tying him to the jada-deha. > > Jada Bharat's father loved him very much and tried in every way to > nurture and teach his son about Brahminical material life. But no > matter how hard he tried still Jada Bharat remained unfazed and always > appeared like a dunce. In fact he was being vigilant not to become > again identified with the material world and it's perishable ways. > > The kind Brahmana tried hard to educate his son, Jada Bharat, but he > remained as if uncomprehending, and he would do things in reverse, such > as washing his hands before going to the latrine instead of after. > > Eventually his father invested him with the Sacred Thread, but although > he wore the thread of a Brahman it was impossible to teach Jada Bharat > anything. In fact, it was Jada Bharat's intention to act this way in > order to discourage his father from trying to teach him. Jada Bharat > KNEW what was real, and he was very much afraid of again making his > mistake. Still his father was so affectionate that he continued trying > to teach him, but to no avail. > > This was s source of great frustration to his father who tried his best > to educate his son. He hoped his son's dullness could be cured and he > wanted him to be a great scholar. but all his attempts were a complete > failure. > After trying for so long he finally died, and Jada Bharat's mother > placed him and his sister under the care of the first wife while she > herself willingly entered the funeral fire of her dead husband. > > In this way Jada-Bharat came under the care of his nine foster > brothers, all of whom considered him a liability and a dunce, and they > stopped all attempts at educating him and instead tried to give him > various labor jobs to perform such as mending fences, acting as a scare > crow, etc. But even these duties he was unable to recognize and he > performed things backwards, always making a mess. > > The step brothers of Jada Bharat, although learned in the Vedas and > karma-kandas, were basically materialistic, engaged in making more and > more karma, and they were not able to see nor understand the hidden > glories of their illustrious brother. > > Materialistic people mistreated Jada Bharat, but he never protested. He > acted like a madman even though he was a super-human. He did whatever > people ordered of him, and took whatever food was given without > begging. Jada Bharat was determined to refrain from creating more karma > and also exhaust his remaining karma as soon as possible. He didn't > care about wages for work or if food was good or bad, nor if it was hot > or cold, or neither comfortable nor miserable.He was transcendental to > all opposites. > > Peopled seeing that although he was born the son of a Brahman he acted > like a fool, called him names and insulted him. But he refused to feel > bad and simply tolerated his life without losing sight of the spiritual > truth. > > Jada Bharat was very handsome, with long limbs and strong body. But he > never covered not protected his body from rain nor shine. He took life > as it came, disguised as a madman, and being insulted, he simply > wandered around. > > Jada Bharat's brothers considered him a fool and engaged him in hard > fieldwork planting grains; but even simple jobs he was unable to > fulfill properly, always acting stupid. > For food he gladly accepted rotten, stale left overs. But he made no > distinction, accepting all as nectar and God's mercy. He accepted what > ever was given and did as directed without the slightest ill will > towards anyone. > > Gradually he was driven away by his brothers who grew tired of looking > after him. Following his destiny wherever Jada Bharat simply wandered > around the countryside and through jungles, subsisting on whatever he > came across with no intentions. > > During the time that Jada Bharat was wondering around aimlessly he was > captured by a band of thieves & murderers who were ordered by their > leader to search out a fresh victim for human sacrifice to the Goddess > Kali, he being desirous of having a son. > > Jada Bharat was a perfect physical specimen, and being a dullard > appearing no more aware than an animal he was considered ideal. Doing > what ever he was told Jada Bharat was brought to a remote temple of > Goddess Kali to be killed in sacrifice. > > According to their own fanciful way the robbers cleaned and decorated > the body of Bharat. They covered his limbs in scented oils and fine > garments, which they considered suitable for the ceremony. After > preparation Bharat was agreeably taken before the Goddess. He was made > to sit before the statue of the Goddess while the robbers sounded music > and tossed flowers. > > The thieves planning to murder Jada Bharat were all real low-lifes, > bound by passion and ignorance. They cared nothing for the Scriptural > injunction against killing a Brahman. Jada Bharat was a saint and a > born Brahman and killing him was forbidden. > > Then the priest amongst the thieves was ready to offer the blood of > this man-animal to Goddess Kali and taking a consecrated sword he > raised the sharp blade above his head, ready to decapitate the > great-soul known as Jada Bharat. > > See the great devotee Jada Bharat kneeling before Her about to be > sacrificed the Goddess Kali became infuriated. The Idol of the Goddess > cracked open and the Goddess Kali Herself emerged seething with anger. > Her eyes burned like fire, her teeth were like fangs, and she appeared > in a horrific form, as if to destroy the entire creation. The Goddess > sprang forth from the altar and snatching the sacrificial sword from > the evil priest she immediately slaughtered all the thieves, chopping > of their heads and limbs. With blood spurting from the dismembered > bodies of the dacoits the Goddess drank Her fill, and becoming > intoxicated she began to play with the severed heads like a child plays > with toys. The associates of the Goddess also appeared on the scene and > drank the remaining blood. Then they began singing loudly and dancing > with such force as if to crush the Earth beneath their feet. Such is > the fate of anyone harming a pure devotee. > > Great souls who are liberated from the material illusion, and who bear > no ill will towards any being, they always seek shelter in the Supreme > Lord, even when about to be murdered. This is normal for the > self-realized souls. > > Later, at another place, a certain King of Sindhu and Sauvira named > King Rahugana was being carried in a palanquin amidst a large > procession on route to visit a great sage at Kapilashram. The Palanquin > required a replacement carrier, and it just so happened that they came > across Jada Bharat during his aimless wanderings. > > The King's servants seeing that Jada Bharat was young and strong > ordered him to carry the burden. Being attuned to allowing his > remaining karma to expire he accepted the duty without protest. > > When the procession again continued there was shaking of the palanquin > because Jada Bharat would only step forward after checking the ground > in front of him to insure that no ants got crushed; this walking held > up the other bearers and upset the palanquin. Agitated and annoyed the > King admonished his men to carry properly, and again they tried with > out success because Jada Bharat was in a mind of his own. > > The lead carrier told the King, "Your Majesty, we are trying our best, > but this new bearer is causing the disruption by walking out of step." > > King Rahugana was angry and he looked down at Jada Bharat, who was > without blame, and sarcastically insulted him by saying, "Dear bearer, > I am sorry to see that due to old age and weakness you have become > fatigued by carrying this palanquin all alone, without assistance." > > The King, being of warrior caste, and with his mind covered in the mode > of passion, spoke these sarcastic words to the great saint Jada Bharat. > But Bharat was none of those things; he was separate from matter, being > fixed up in the absolute consciousness. Bharat was at one with God and > therefore he did not react, instead he simply carried the palanquin out > of step as before. This angered the King who cried out, "Why are you > disobeying my order? Don't you realize I am master and you are servant? > Are you dead although living? For your disobedience I'll teach you a > lesson, just like Yamaraj deals with sinners, and bring you to your > senses!" > > The King threatened Jada Bharat in this way because the King considered > the material body to be the self and he was caught up in the material > illusion of ever-changing matter. It was wrong of the King who had no > idea of the greatness of Jada Bharat. > > But Bharat was in tune with God, and his own soul. He didn't relate to > the body of 5 gross elements and mind of 3 subtle elements as his self. > God Himself resided in the heart of Bharat, and Jada Bharat never cared > about insult or praise, considering both to be other than the self. He > could see the folly of the King, and by the will of providence the > great soul smiled at the King and replied. > > Part II: > The LESSON OF BHARAT > > "You Majesty, what you have sarcastically said is certainly true > because I am none of the things you mention. The material body is > bearing the load, not I, who am different from the material body and > subtle mind. The material body may be weak or strong, or whatever, but > that never applies to me, whom am spirit soul." > > "It is also true that I have not worked hard, and I am not weak or > tired, because all these designations pertain to the material body, and > not the soul. What ever may appear as the material body is never > applicable to the soul within the body." > > "This path and the journey you are making is nothing to do with me, the > spirit soul, and that is why I am not feeling any trouble on this > account. Please consider that no wise man would ever confuse the body > with the soul as you are doing." > > "All material differences are in a constant state of flux, and the > question of being fat or skinny, or anything else is not the reality of > the self, who is always spiritual by nature." > > "Fatness, thinness, bodily and mental illness, thirst, hunger, fear, > disagreement, desires for material happiness, old age, sleep, > attachment for material possessions, anger, lamentation, illusion and > identification of the body with the self are all transformations of the > material covering of the spirit soul. A person living in such a mundane > bodily conception feels affected by these things, but I am not > identified with matter. Therefore everything you have jokingly said it > true about me, the soul, because I am separate from all this > misidentification." > > "Oh great hero, you have accused me of being dead though alive. In this > regard, I can only say that this is the case everywhere because > everything material has its beginning and end. And everything material > is dead although permeated by the living spirit." > > "You claim that you're the king and I am the servant, and you are > trying to order me around; but this is nonsense because these material > positions are ever changing, and one day I may be King and you would be > servant. This is according to our ever-changing karma." > > "And if I'm crazy like you say then what is the use? If you beat a > madman he's not cured, like beating a dead horse. In fact, I'm a > self-realized soul, so what's the use of punishing me?" > > "Everyone is bound by their karma and following their own modes of > nature so no one is ever fixed as master or servant. But, if you still > think you're right then tell me what to do?" > > Having said this, and showing no signs or agitation, Jada Bharat began > to carry the palanquin again, in the same way. He had no false ego. He > was thinking that by carrying the palanquin, he was burning the > remaining results of his past karma. > > But King Rahugana was simply amazed to hear the words of Bharat. He was > stunned, and he quickly realized that Jada Bharat was a greatly exalted > devotee and saint. > > His material identity as a king was smashed. He felt terrible for > offending such a saint, and he immediately descended from his palanquin > and fell flat on the ground like a staff, placing his head on the > sacred feet of Jada Bharat. > > King Rahugana prayed to Bharat, "Oh great saintly person, please excuse > my ignorance. I'm so sorry!!! How could I know? You are wearing the > sacred thread like a Brahmin, but you appear to be covered over, like > ashes cover a fire. Please tell me who you are and how you came to this > realization? Who is your spiritual master? And how have you reached > this place?" > > "Dear great saint, I'm not scared of the King of heaven, nor even the > superintendent of hell, I am not afraid of anything in this world, save > committing an offense against a saint like you. Please forgive me, and > kindly reveal your true identity." > > "We can see that your knowledge, although hidden, is greatly advanced > and approved by Vedic Scriptures. Pray tell us why you're wandering > around appearing like a dunce. Please explain yourself to us." > > "You are surely an incarnation of God, roaming about for the benefit of > humanity. Your knowledge is unlimited, and you're fully self-realized. > No one can be a better spiritual master than you. As a disciple we beg > you to kindly tell us what is the safest position in life?" > > TBC... > > Richard Shaw-Brown, PG > Designer & Gemologist > http://www.richardshawbrown.com > http://www.agt-gems.com > http://www.astralgemstonetalismans.com > http://www.themisunderstood.com > http://www.hrisikesh.com > http://www.hrisikesh.net > http://www.p-g-a.org > http://www.satyavrat-shastri.net > http://www.generalprem.com > http://www.navaratna-museum.info > http://www.sacred-objects.info > > Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger. > > > > > > SURRENDER JOYFULLY TO THE WILL OF THE ULTIMATE DIVINITY AND RELISH THE TASTE OF ABSOLUTE BLISS. > > > Links > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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