Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 21
The Fall of Purañjana and the Supersoul as the Eternal Friend
Purañjana-Upākhyāna Culmination
कथं नु दारका दीना दारकीर्वापरायणा: । वर्तिष्यन्ते मयि गते भिन्ननाव इवोदधौ ॥ २१ ॥
kathaṁ nu dārakā dīnā dārakīr vāparāyaṇāḥ vartiṣyante mayi gate bhinna-nāva ivodadhau
El rey Purañjana se angustió: «Cuando yo parta de este mundo, ¿cómo vivirán mis hijos e hijas, ahora tan dependientes de mí? Su situación será como la de pasajeros de una nave rota en medio del océano».
At the time of death every living entity worries about what will happen to his wife and children. Similarly, a politician also worries about what will happen to his country or his political party. Unless one is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, he has to accept a body in the next life according to his particular state of consciousness. Since Purañjana is thinking of his wife and children and is overly engrossed in thoughts of his wife, he will accept the body of a woman. Similarly, a politician or so-called nationalist who is inordinately attached to the land of his birth will certainly be reborn in the same land after ending his political career. One’s next life will also be affected by the acts one performs during this life. Sometimes politicians act most sinfully for their own sense gratification. It is not unusual for a politician to kill the opposing party. Even though a politician may be allowed to take birth in his so-called homeland, he still has to undergo suffering due to his sinful activities in his previous life.
FAQs
This verse shows the mind’s fear and dependence: one worries, “How will my family survive without me?”—a Bhagavatam teaching that worldly shelter is fragile and should be replaced by taking shelter of the Lord.
In the Purañjana allegory, he laments impending separation, revealing deep attachment and the illusion of being the sole protector—an insight meant to awaken detachment and spiritual responsibility.
Do your duties responsibly, but cultivate lasting shelter through bhakti—regular hearing, chanting, and offering one’s family life to Krishna—so dependence shifts from the temporary “boat” to the eternal Lord.