Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 15
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
वैशसं नरकं पायुर्लुब्धकोऽन्धौ तु मे शृणु । हस्तपादौ पुमांस्ताभ्यां युक्तो याति करोति च ॥ १५ ॥
vaiśasaṁ narakaṁ pāyur lubdhako ’ndhau tu me śṛṇu hasta-pādau pumāṁs tābhyāṁ yukto yāti karoti ca
When it is said that Purañjana goes to Vaiśasa, it is meant that he goes to hell. He is accompanied by Lubdhaka, which is the working sense in the rectum. Formerly I have also spoken of two blind associates. These associates should be understood to be the hands and legs. Being helped by the hands and legs, the living entity performs all kinds of work and moves hither and thither.
FAQs
This verse portrays bodily functions and sense organs as degrading and binding forces, teaching that the living being becomes entangled when he identifies the self with the body’s instruments of action and perception.
Nārada was redirecting the king from ritualistic, fruitive activity toward inner renunciation and devotion by exposing the body-centered life as spiritually dangerous and ultimately hellish in consciousness.
Practice mindful restraint of the senses, reduce compulsive bodily indulgence, and anchor daily actions in bhakti—hearing, chanting, and serving—so the body becomes an instrument of devotion rather than bondage.