Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
संवत्सरश्चण्डवेग: कालो येनोपलक्षित: । तस्याहानीह गन्धर्वा गन्धर्व्यो रात्रय: स्मृता: । हरन्त्यायु: परिक्रान्त्या षष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम् ॥ २१ ॥
saṁvatsaraś caṇḍavegaḥ kālo yenopalakṣitaḥ tasyāhānīha gandharvā gandharvyo rātrayaḥ smṛtāḥ haranty āyuḥ parikrāntyā ṣaṣṭy-uttara-śata-trayam
What was previously explained as Caṇḍavega, powerful time, is covered by days and nights, named Gandharvas and Gandharvīs. The body’s life span is gradually reduced by the passage of days and nights, which number 360.
The word parikrāntyā means “by traveling.” The living entity travels on his chariot day and night during a year consisting of 360 (or more) days and nights. Life’s progress is taken for the unnecessary labor required to cover these 360 days and nights of life.
FAQs
This verse personifies Time as Caṇḍavega: the passing of days and nights continually reduces one’s lifespan, urging spiritual urgency and detachment.
In Nārada’s allegory to King Prācīnabarhiṣat, poetic beings symbolize the irresistible march of time—days and nights “move around” and thus consume the living being’s allotted years.
Treat time as sacred: reduce distractions, remember life’s brevity, and prioritize bhakti—hearing, chanting, and living with purpose—before days and nights pass unused.