194 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 5
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 garbhadhdna. Rsabhadeva’s heart was al-
ways uncontaminated and spiritual. Consequently all the sons born from
the heart of Rsabhadeva were spiritually inclined. Nonetheless,
Rsabhadeva suggested that His eldest son was superior, and He advised
the others to serve him. All the brothers of Bharata Maharaja were ad-
vised by Rsabhadeva 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, mahiyasdm pdda-rajo- bhiseka —one
has to serve the mahiydn, one who is very spiritually advanced. Mahat-
sevam dvadram ahur vimukteh: by serving the mahat, the exalted devo-
tee, one’s path for liberation is open. The family of Rsabhadeva should
not be compared to an ordinary materialistic family. Bharata Maharaja,
Rsabhadeva’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.

The Supreme Lord was advising Bharata Maharaja to be the chief
ruler of the planet. This is the real plan of the Supreme Lord. In the Bat-
tle of Kuruksetra, we find that Lord Krsna wanted Maharaja Yudhisthira
to be the supreme emperor of this planet. He never wanted Duryodhana
to take the post. As stated in the previous verse, Lord Rsabhadeva’s heart
is hrdayam yatra dharmah. The characteristic dharma is also explained
in Bhagavad-gitd: surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
To protect dharma (paritrandya sadhiinam), the Lord always wants the
ruler of the earth to be a devotee. Then everything goes on nicely for the
benefit of everyone. As soon as a demon rules the earth, everything
becomes chaotic. At the present moment, the world is inclined toward the
democratic process, but the people in general are all contaminated by the
modes of passion and ignorance. Consequently they cannot select the
right person to head the government. The president is selected by the
votes of ignorant Sidras; therefore another sddra is elected. and im-
mediately the entire government becomes polluted. If people strictly
followed the principles of Bhagavad-gita, they would elect a person who
is the Lord’s devotee. Then automatically there would be good govern-
ment. Rsabhadeva therefore recommended Bharata Maharaja as the em-
