PLATE SIX

“The most exalted devotee, Maharaja Bharata, was constantly engaged
in the devotional service of the Lord. Naturally his love for Vasudeva,
Krsna, increased more and more and melted his heart. Consequently he
gradually lost all attachment for regulative duties. The hairs of his body
stood on end, and all the ecstatic bodily symptoms were manifest. Once
the great King Bharata, while sitting on the bank of the Gandaki River,
saw a small deer, bereft of its mother, floating down the river. Seeing
this, he felt great compassion. Like a sincere friend, he lifted the infant
deer from the waves, and, knowing it to be motherless, brought it to his
asrama. Gradually Maharaja Bharata became very affectionate toward
the deer. He began to raise it and maintain it by giving it grass. He was
always careful to protect it from the attacks of tigers and other animals.
When it itched, he petted it, and in this way he always tried to keep it in
a comfortable condition. He sometimes kissed it out of love. Being at-
tached to raising the deer, Maharaja Bharata forgot the rules and regula-
tions for the advancement of spiritual life, and he gradually forgot to
worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After a few days, he forgot
everything about his spiritual advancement.” (pp.264-275)
