In the previous episode, we had witnessed the rebirth of Sage Bharata in a human form once again as Bharata – 2.0. This time, Sage Bharata was more steadfast and determined unlike before. In fact, he was steadfast and determined during his previous birth as well, barring for that little episode of the deer and how he eventually got carried away by it. However, that small blemish and slip is not going to be there this time. He is more resolute and meticulous in his approach and is in such a state now wherein nothing in this world is going to be interesting for him. As Sage Bharata was roaming around from one place to the other, not even knowing where and why was he going to that place, people eventually started making fun of him. Some of them abused him physically and verbally, but all these never entered into Bharata’s ears. He just turned dead ears to all what people were calling him or asking him. He was totally into his zone and is never going to come to this world again.
In fact, when people were abusing and making fun of Sage Bharata that he is a crazy person, and is like a “Jada” (non-living being), Sage Bharata thought within himself thus, “Oh wow! Who is crazy here? Me or they? I’m able to see Bhagawan in front of me all the time, but they’re seeing everything else except Bhagawan all the time!” We can understand the point here, isn’t it? Most of the time, normal people like us are thinking of everything else except Bhagawan, whereas highly realized souls like Sage Jada Bharata aren’t thinking of anything else in this world except Bhagawan. Now who is crazy here? We or Sage Bharata? It is upto us to decide for ourselves! 🙂
As Sage Jada-Bharata was walking thus, one day, people thought of making a ploy and killing him. Few miscreants approached Sage Jada Bharata with the sword that they had picked up from a nearby Kali Temple and tried to chop off his head. We’re seeing here that such miscreants existed even at those earlier time periods as well! Now of course, we’re witnessing sad and unfortunate incidents of “Saadhus” or great saints being murdered by some anti-social elements in the society and this is becoming a regular affair. However, in those days also, such things have existed and this is one example of it. Thus, when Sage Jada Bharata was being subjected to such a cruel treatment by few anti-social elements, with the divine grace of Mother Kali, the sword turned into a beautiful garland and fell around his neck. Shocked by this happening, the miscreants were scared to death and started running for their life! They realized that this person is not an ordinary wandering soul, but is someone special. This news spread like wildfire amidst the people and finally reached the local king of that region.
Readers might be remembering that I had spoken a brief about this local king earlier, and now the context of discussion shifts to this king, by name Rahuguna. This King Rahuguna was also a spiritually oriented person and had special interests in spiritual affairs. Thus, one day, King Rahuguna had certain doubts with regards to certain spiritual matters, and he wanted to get them clarified from the few sages whom he knew. The sages were none other than Sages Gaikwa and Sage Kapila. Thus, King Rahuguna decides to set out of his palace and reach out to these two sages, so that he can sit with them and clarify all his doubts. Now this is the start point of the story to become more comical, and I’m sure all of us are going to have a good laugh by the end of this story! 🙂
Thinking thus, King Rahuguna gets on to his carriage and sits. In those days, kings used to travel from one place to the other in a carriage that would be carried by four to five men on their shoulders. In that way, King Rahuguna was all set to commence his journey. The king is ready – Fair enough! But there weren’t sufficient people to lift his carriage and take him to his destination! The king was looking around and was able to find three people for the task. However, he was unable to find a fourth person who could lift the carriage. It was the same time that Sage Jada Bharata was passing by, carried away in his own world. As Sage Jada-Bharata was passing by, the king’s eyes fell on him and upon seeing Sage Jada-Bharata being tall and well-built, the king decided that he would be the right person to lift the carriage from the fourth end. Hence, he asked his servants to bring Sage Jada-Bharata to the king and to assign him the task.
Accordingly, Sage Jada Bharata was brought to the king and was briefed on the task. Now comes an interesting twist in events – Sage Jada Bharata, being a highly realized soul, could have easily rejected the king’s instruction, given his stature of being what he is. However, as we know – Sage Jada Bharata was totally aloof to what was happening around him, he just went with the flow. In other words, without even knowing what he was doing, he nodded his head to the king’s words. Thus, one end of the carriage rested on his shoulders!
What happened next is something very interesting for all of us to know! Let’s wait for the next episode to witness the same! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 