Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 53
The Fall of Purañjana and the Supersoul as the Eternal Friend
Purañjana-Upākhyāna Culmination
अपि स्मरसि चात्मानमविज्ञातसखं सखे । हित्वा मां पदमन्विच्छन् भौमभोगरतो गत: ॥ ५३ ॥
api smarasi cātmānam avijñāta-sakhaṁ sakhe hitvā māṁ padam anvicchan bhauma-bhoga-rato gataḥ
The brāhmaṇa continued: My dear friend, even though you cannot immediately recognize Me, can’t you remember that in the past you had a very intimate friend? Unfortunately, you gave up My company and accepted a position as enjoyer of this material world.
As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (7.27) :
FAQs
In this verse, the ‘unknown friend’ refers to Paramātmā, the Lord within the heart, who accompanies the jīva through all lives even when the soul forgets Him.
The verse highlights how the conditioned soul turns away from inner divine guidance and seeks shelter in temporary material positions, becoming absorbed in bhauma-bhoga (worldly pleasures).
Pause and remember the inner witness—seek lasting shelter through bhakti (hearing, chanting, prayer, and mindful choices) rather than chasing identity and security only through external, temporary gains.