Shloka 13
Purañjana Captivated by Lust; Time (Caṇḍavega) and Old Age (Kālakanyā) Begin the Siege
चण्डवेग इति ख्यातो गन्धर्वाधिपतिर्नृप । गन्धर्वास्तस्य बलिन: षष्ट्युत्तरशतत्रयम् ॥ १३ ॥
caṇḍavega iti khyāto gandharvādhipatir nṛpa gandharvās tasya balinaḥ ṣaṣṭy-uttara-śata-trayam
أيها الملك! في عالم الغندرفا يوجد ملك يُدعى «چَنْدَويغا». وتحت إمرته 360 جنديًا من الغندرفا شديدي البأس.
Time is figuratively described here as Caṇḍavega. Since time and tide wait for no man, time is herein called Caṇḍavega, which means “very swiftly passing away.” As time passes, it is calculated in terms of years. One year contains 360 days, and the soldiers of Caṇḍavega herein mentioned represent these days. Time passes swiftly; Caṇḍavega’s powerful soldiers of Gandharvaloka very swiftly carry away all the days of our life. As the sun rises and sets, it snatches away the balance of our life span. Thus as each day passes, each one of us loses some of life’s duration. It is therefore said that the duration of one’s life cannot be saved. But if one is engaged in devotional service, his time cannot be taken away by the sun. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.3.17) , āyur harati vai puṁsām udyann astaṁ ca yann asau. The conclusion is that if one wants to make himself immortal, he should give up sense gratification. By engaging oneself in devotional service, one can gradually enter into the eternal kingdom of God.
FAQs
In the allegory of King Purañjana, Caṇḍavega is the Gandharva chief representing the irresistible force of time that attacks the embodied soul.
The number 360 points to the days of the year, showing how time (day by day) steadily consumes one’s lifespan and opportunities in material life.
It encourages urgency and discipline—use each day to cultivate bhakti, reduce needless attachments, and prioritize spiritual practices before time carries life away.