Once upon a time Râhugana King of Sindhu and Saubira was travelling in a palanquin. The chief palanquin bearer on reaching the river Ikshumati went in search of a bearer and on finding Bharata deemed him to be a god-send. He found his limbs strong and well-built and thought him capable of bearing the palanquin. He forced Bharata into the service. Bharata though quite unfit for this menial work did his utmost. But he was in the habit of looking forward for the distance of an arrow throw and then taking steps in advance, so that he might not unwarily kill some animal under his feet. He could not therefore keep pace with the other bearers and the palanquin lost its balance. King Rahûgana became angry and reproached the bearers. They complained against the new recruit. The king taunted Bharata with these words; "Oh my friend I dare say you are tired — for have you not carried me long and for a long distance too — and you appear to be thin indeed and weak. Are you suffering from decrepitude? Are not these your fellow-mates." Bharata kept quiet. For these taunting remarks did not touch him. He was crystallised in wisdom and was no longer troubled with the false perceptions of "I and mine." The palanquin again lost its balance. The king lost his temper and broke forth thus; "What is this? are you alive or dead? Do you thus disregard my orders and think of living? You must be a madman, like the Death-god I will punish your madness and bring you to your senses." King Rahûgana was proud of his learning and his kingship. He was inflated with Rajas and Tames. He had therefore no hesitation in reproaching that lord of Yoga, Bharata. Bharata smiled and thus replied: — "Thy taunts are true, O king! There is no doubt, I am neither tired nor did I travel long. For thy weight does not affect me nor have I any distance to travel. Nor could I be called fat. For the body is fat and not I. It is by falsely attributing the bodily attributes to self that one is said to have thickness, leanness, disease, hunger thirst, fear, enmity, desire, sleep, attachment, anger, egotism, pride and sorrow. But I have no such false perception. "Thou sayest I am dead even when alive. But such is the case with all beings for they are all subject to constant transformations. "Thou chargest me with disregarding the orders of my Master. But only if the relationship of Master and servant does really subsist, might there be command and obedience. But where is that relationship? If thou sayest, in the ways of the world, thou art my king momentary though these ways be, please tell me thy behests. "Thou callest me a mad man and dost want to punish me and bring me to my senses. But I am not mad, though I may look so, for I am fixed in the meditation of Brahmâ. But still if thou thinkest me to be a madman it will be useless to punish or to teach a senseless being."