Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 13
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
प्रवृत्तं च निवृत्तं च शास्त्रं पञ्चालसंज्ञितम् । पितृयानं देवयानं श्रोत्राच्छ्रुतधराद्व्रजेत् ॥ १३ ॥
pravṛttaṁ ca nivṛttaṁ ca śāstraṁ pañcāla-saṁjñitam pitṛ-yānaṁ deva-yānaṁ śrotrāc chruta-dharād vrajet
Nārada Muni continued: The city spoken of as Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents the scriptures meant for directing pravṛtti, the process of sense enjoyment in fruitive activities. The other city, named Uttara-pañcāla, represents the scriptures meant for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge. The living entity receives different kinds of knowledge by means of two ears, and some living entities are promoted to Pitṛloka and some to Devaloka. All this is made possible by the two ears.
The Vedas are known as śruti, and the knowledge received from them through aural reception is called śruta-dhara. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, one can be promoted to the planets of the demigods or to the planets of the Pitās (forefathers), or even to the Vaikuṇṭha planets, simply through the process of hearing. These things have already been explained in previous chapters.
FAQs
This verse states that śāstra teaches two tracks—pravṛtti (engagement in action) and nivṛtti (withdrawal/renunciation)—and one should understand them through proper Vedic hearing from an authentic teacher.
Because the King was absorbed in ritualistic karma, Nārada clarified the Vedic framework of different destinations and urged learning the true import of śāstra through a qualified guru rather than remaining bound to mere ritual.
Discern whether a duty strengthens devotion and purity (regulated pravṛtti) or whether renunciation is needed to reduce attachments (nivṛtti), and take guidance from realized teachers rooted in revealed scripture.