Text 17] The Character of Bharata Maharaja 285
PURPORT
Bharata Maharaja was very noble and exalted, and therefore when the
deer was absent from him he thought himself unworthy to give it protec-
tion. Due to his attachment for the animal, he thought that the animal
was as noble and exalted as he himself was. According to the logic of at-
mavan manyate jagat, everyone thinks of others according to his own
position. Therefore Maharaja Bharata felt that the deer had left him due
to his negligence and that due to the animal's noble heart, it would again
return.
TEXT 17
aft aonferarTatTTy ToT ated SATA TEATHH 18
api ksemendsminn asramopavane Saspani carantam deva-guptam drak-
syami.
api—it may be; ksemena—with fearlessness because of the absence of
tigers and other animals; asmin—in this; dsrama-upavane—garden of
the hermitage; Saspani carantam—walking and eating the soft grasses:
deva-guptam—being protected by the demigods; draksyami—shall |
see.
TRANSLATION
Alas, is it possible that I shall again see this animal protected by
the Lord and fearless of tigers and other animals? Shall I again see
him wandering in the garden eating soft grass?
PURPORT
Maharaja Bharata thought that the animal was disappointed in his pro-
tection and had left him for the protection of a demigod. Regardless. he
ardently desired to see the animal again within his asrama eating the soft
grass and not fearing tigers and other animals. Maharaja Bharata could
think only of the deer and how the animal could be protected from all
kinds of inauspicious things. From the materialistic point of view. such
kind thoughts may be very laudable. but from the spiritual point of view
