Shloka 16
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
अन्त:पुरं च हृदयं विषूचिर्मन उच्यते । तत्र मोहं प्रसादं वा हर्षं प्राप्नोति तद्गुणै: ॥ १६ ॥
antaḥ-puraṁ ca hṛdayaṁ viṣūcir mana ucyate tatra mohaṁ prasādaṁ vā harṣaṁ prāpnoti tad-guṇaiḥ
“Antaḥ-pura” denotes the heart, and “viṣūcī” (“wandering everywhere”) denotes the mind. Within that mind the jīva tastes the fruits of material nature’s modes—sometimes delusion, sometimes calm satisfaction, and sometimes jubilant joy.
The mind and intelligence of the living entity in material existence are affected by the modes of material nature, and according to the association of the material modes, the mind is habituated to go here and there. The heart feels satisfaction, jubilation or illusion according to the effects of the modes of material nature. Actually the living entity in his material condition remains inert. It is the modes of material nature that act on the mind and heart. The results are enjoyed or suffered by the living entity. This is clearly stated in Bhagavad-gītā (3.27) :
FAQs
It compares the heart to the inner palace of the city (the body) and names the mind as Viṣūcī, where one experiences delusion, peace, or joy depending on the guṇas influencing consciousness.
In the allegory, Śukadeva uses symbolic names to map inner psychology to a ‘city’; calling the mind Viṣūcī highlights how the mind can lead consciousness toward different experiences—bewilderment, calm clarity, or happiness—based on its association with the modes.
Monitor what shapes your mind (food, media, company, habits): as the guṇas shift, your inner experience shifts—so cultivate sāttvika inputs and bhakti practices to move from moha toward prasāda and steady joy.