Emperor Bharata's Achievements

Srimad Bhagavatam - Emperor Bharata's Achievements

Bharata, son of King Dushyanta, and Shakuntala became a universal monarch after his father's demise. He performed 55 Ashwamedha yagnas (horse sacrifices) on the banks of Ganga and another 78 along the banks of river Yamuna under the guidance of Sage Deerghatama. 

He gifted 13084 cows to each of 1000 Brahmanas. Having performed 133 horse sacrifices, Bharata was able to subdue Lord's Maya and attain Lord Srihari. 

Bharata gave away to Brahmanas 14,00,000 dark elephants of excellent breed with white tusks adorned with gold. None of the kings in the past and none in the future would emulate the example of Bharata.   

He conquered all the kiratas, Yuvanas, Andras, and Mlecchas. He never killed them as advised by his guru Sage Deerghatama. He recovered the spouses of devatas who were carried away to Rasatala by the demons. During his regime, heaven, as well as the earth, yielded desired objects.

Bharata had three wives, and all of them were daughters of King Vidarbha, and each bore a son. The King casually remarked that they did not resemble him. Sensing the danger of being forsaken by their husband, the queens discarded their sons. Neither they conceived later.

Left with no progeny, the king performed yagna, invoking Maruts. The Maruts (wind gods) handed over a boy, Bharadwaja, to the King. 

Bharadwaja was born to Guru Brihaspati and Mamata (sister-in-law of Brihaspati). Both declined to take care of the child. Maruts took pity and brought up the child, and handed it over to Bharata. King Rantideva is descendent of Bharadwaja.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana