The Story of King Bharata: Three Lives of Devotion and Wisdom

The Story of King Bharata: Three Lives of Devotion and Wisdom

From Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 5: The Creative Impetus — A Gentle Bedtime Story for Young Vaishnavs

Once Upon a Time…

There was a noble king named Bharata, after whom the land of India is named, Bharatavarsha. Bharata was the son of King Rishabhadeva and was famous for his kindness, wisdom, and love for Lord Vishnu. As a young man, he ruled his kingdom with great care, making sure everyone was happy, safe, and filled with devotion.

The Life as a King

King Bharata was not only a strong ruler but also very humble. He loved serving his people and spent much time in prayer and meditation. After ruling for many years, Bharata realized that true happiness comes not from wealth or power, but from loving God. So, he handed over the throne to his sons and decided to live as a simple hermit in the forest, spending his days in peaceful meditation and worship of Lord Vishnu.

The Fawn in the Forest

One day, while sitting by a river, Bharata saw a frightened mother deer trying to cross the water. Suddenly, a loud roar from a lion scared her so much that she jumped and, in her panic, gave birth to a tiny fawn before running away. The little fawn was left all alone.

Bharata felt compassion for the helpless fawn. He gently took care of it, fed it, and protected it from harm. As time passed, Bharata grew very attached to the deer. His mind, which had once been full of thoughts of the Lord, became filled with worry and love for the fawn.

When Bharata’s time on earth ended, his last thoughts were not of God, but of the little deer. Because of this, in his next life, Bharata was born as a deer.

The Life as a Deer

Even though he was now in the body of a deer, Bharata remembered his past life. He understood why he had been reborn this way—because he had let himself get too attached, forgetting to focus on God. As a deer, he spent his days near holy sages and peaceful ashrams, quietly listening to prayers and meditating as best as he could.

When his life as a deer ended, Bharata prayed to the Lord to keep his mind steady and never again forget his real goal.

The Life as Jada Bharata

In his third birth, Bharata was born into a good family, but he chose to live as if he didn’t know anything about the world. He pretended to be dull and silent, so people called him “Jada Bharata,” meaning “simple or dull Bharata.” But inside, he was always remembering Lord Vishnu and was wiser than anyone could see.

Jada Bharata was kind to all but never let praise or insult disturb his mind. He served others selflessly and taught, by his actions, that the soul is separate from the body and that love for God is the only true treasure. Even when people teased him or gave him hard work, Jada Bharata remained calm and peaceful, always chanting God’s name in his heart.

The Wisdom Shared

One day, a king named Rahugana recognized that Jada Bharata was not ordinary, but a saint full of wisdom. Jada Bharata shared with the king the secrets of life and the path to true happiness—reminding him that we are all souls, not just bodies, and that devotion to the Lord is the greatest wealth.

The Cycle Completed

After three lives—first as a king, then as a deer, and finally as the wise Jada Bharata—his soul became completely pure. By remembering the Lord through every trial, Bharata finally achieved liberation, returning to the spiritual world filled with peace and joy.

Moral of the Story

Dear children, King Bharata’s story teaches us that love for God should always come first. We can be kind and loving to all, but we should never let anything make us forget our real goal—devotion to the Lord. Even if we make mistakes, God always gives us new chances to learn and grow. True peace comes from keeping God in our hearts, no matter what happens in life.

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Discover the story of King Bharata, his lives as a king, deer, and wise sage, and the lesson of true devotion for children.

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