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Man of wisdom

CHENNAI: Spiritual quest is a long journey spanning countless lives and it has often been compared to walking on a razor’s edge because the pitfalls are many even for the most evolved seeker. But, there is a silver lining in the cloud for there is no permanent fall for one who strays away. Lord Krishna has assured in the Gita that such an evolved soul would be born in a family of enlightened Yogis but that such a birth in this world was very difficult to obtain.

In his discourse on the Vishnu Purana, Sri N.Veezhinathan said King Bharata’s emancipation in his second rebirth as Jadabharata in a family of Yogis was a testimony to Lord Krishna’s declaration in the Bhagavad Gita. Jadabharata was in communion with the Self right from birth. He was unmindful of social graces that he became the target of ridicule by worldly people who did not know his spiritual stature. His name itself is a pointer to the fact that he was oblivious of the ways of the world. His life is an indication that worldly name and fame are only detrimental to spiritual life.

After his father passed away his existence became precarious for no one cared for him. Because he was in his prime with a well-built physique he was made to do arduous, menial tasks just for his daily bread. He did whatever he was told to with the knowledge that he had to work out his Karma and did not resist anyone. Once when he was about to be offered in sacrifice to Kali, the goddess intervened and saved him but Jadabharata was unruffled.

On another occasion he was asked to carry the palanquin of a king who was on his way to meet Sage Kapila. Jadabharata obliged, and when he did not keep pace with the other bearers the palanquin shook and the king was thrown about. He became angry and admonished him asking why he who was stout was tiring so soon and not balancing the palanquin properly. Jadabharata replied he was neither stout nor was he carrying the palanquin and he was not tired. The king was astounded by this. An illuminating dialogue ensued between Jadabharata and the king then in which he differentiated between the body and the Self to teach the highest wisdom. The king then fell at his feet realising his greatness.

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