280 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 8
TEXT 12
PIFTAAATA TRAIT AR CIA THATS ATA
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Tara aa ae ehmgrta ad amas 1 22
kusa-kusuma-samit-palasa-phala-miilodakany aharisyamano vrkasala-
urkadibhyo bhayam asamsamano yada saha harina-kunakena vanam
samavisati.

kusa—a kind of grass required for ritualistic ceremonies: kusuma—
flowers: samit—firewood; palasa—leaves: phala-mila—fruits and
roots; udakani—and water: aharisyamanah—desiring to collect:
urkasala-vrka—from wolves and dogs: adibhyah—and other animals,
such as tigers: bhayam—fear: dSarhsamanah—doubting: yada—when:
saha—with; harina-kunakena—the deer calf; vanam—the forest:
samavisati —enters.

TRANSLATION

When Maharaja Bharata wanted to enter the forest to collect
kuSa grass, flowers, wood, leaves, fruits, roots and water, he would
fear that dogs, jackals, tigers and other ferocious animals might
kill the deer. He would therefore always take the deer with him
when entering the forest.

PURPORT

How Maharaja Bharata increased his affection for the deer is described
herein. Even such an exalted personality as Bharata Maharaja, who had
attained loving affection for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. fell
down from his position due to his affection for some animal. Conse-
quently, as will be seen, he had to accept the body of a deer in his next
life. Since this was the case with Bharata Maharaja, what can we say of
those who are not advanced in spiritual life but who become attached to
cats and dogs? Due to their affection for their cats and dogs, they have to
take the same bodily forms in the next life unless they clearly increase
their affection and love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unless
we increase our faith in the Supreme Lord, we shall be attracted to many
other things. That is the cause of our material bondage.
