CHAPTER SEVEN
The Activities of King Bharata
In this chapter, the activities of King Bharata Maharaja, the emperor of
the whole world, are described. Bharata Maharaja performed various
ritualistic ceremonies (Vedic yajias) and satisfied the Supreme Lord by
his different modes of worship. In due course of time, he left home and
resided in Hardwar and passed his days in devotional activities. Being or-
dered by his father, Lord Rsabhadeva, Bharata Maharaja married
Pajicajani, the daughter of Visvaripa. After this, he ruled the whole
world peacefully. Formerly this planet was known as Ajanabha. and after
the reign of Bharata Maharaja it became known as Bharata-varsa.
Bharata Maharaja begot five sons in the womb of Pajicajani. and he
named the sons Sumati, Rastrabhrta. Sudarsana. Avarana and
Dhimraketu. Bharata Maharaja was very rigid in executing religious
principles and following in the footsteps of his father. He therefore ruled
the citizens very successfully. Because he performed various yajrias to
satisfy the Supreme Lord, he was personally very satisfied. Being of un-
disturbed mind, he increased his devotional activities unto Lord
Vasudeva. Bharata Maharaja was competent in understanding the prin-
ciples of saintly persons like Narada, and he followed in the footsteps of
the sages. He also kept Lord Vasudeva constantly within his heart. After
finishing his kingly duties, he divided his kingdom among his five sons.
He then left home and went to the place of Pulaha known as
Pulahasrama. There he ate forest vegetables and fruits, and worshiped
Lord Vasudeva with everything available. Thus he increased his devo-
tion toward Vasudeva, and he automatically began to realize further his
transcendental, blissful life. Due to his highly advanced spiritual posi-
tion, there were sometimes visible in his body the asta-sattvika transfor -
mations, such as ecstatic crying and bodily trembling, which are
symptoms of love of Godhead. It is understood that Maharaja Bharata
worshiped the Supreme Lord with the mantras mentioned in the Rg
Veda, generally known as Gayatri mantra, which aim at the Supreme
Narayana situated within the sun.
247
