1st Life – Emperor Bharata

Chapter 7

Sukadeva Goswami detailed the history of Rishabhadeva’s most famous son, Bharata.

Bharata was a great devotee of the Lord, and when the time was ripe he accepted the position of emperor. After marrying Pancajani, the daughter of Visvarupa, Bharata fathered five sons. The saintly King ruled for many years, during which time he diligently fulfilled his royal duties and performed various sacrifices (yajnas) to satisfy the Supreme Lord. His reign was so glorious that the entire world became known as Bharata-varsa.

As with all great kings, Bharata Maharaja eventually renounced the kingdom. He went into seclusion to exclusively focus on worshipping his salagram-sila, the Lord’s form found at the Gandaki river. As the days passed, his bhakti grew to new heights and he displayed the unique symptoms of spiritual emotion (bhava).