Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 2
The Fall of Purañjana and the Supersoul as the Eternal Friend
Purañjana-Upākhyāna Culmination
त एकदा तु रभसा पुरञ्जनपुरीं नृप । रुरुधुर्भौमभोगाढ्यां जरत्पन्नगपालिताम् ॥ २ ॥
ta ekadā tu rabhasā purañjana-purīṁ nṛpa rurudhur bhauma-bhogāḍhyāṁ jarat-pannaga-pālitām
Ô roi, un jour ces soldats redoutables assaillirent avec grande violence la cité de Purañjana. Bien qu’elle fût riche en objets de jouissance, elle était gardée par un vieux serpent.
As one’s body engages in sense gratification, it becomes weaker and weaker daily. Finally the vital force becomes so weak that it is herein compared to a weak serpent. The life air has already been compared to the serpent. When the vital force within the body becomes weak, the body itself also becomes weak. At such a time the death symptoms — that is, the dangerous soldiers of death’s superintendent, Yamarāja — begin to attack very severely. According to the Vedic system, before coming to such a stage one should leave home and take sannyāsa to preach the message of God for the duration of life. However, if one sits at home and is served by his beloved wife and children, he certainly becomes weaker and weaker due to sense gratification. When death finally comes, one leaves the body devoid of spiritual assets. At the present time, even the oldest man in the family does not leave home, being attracted by wife, children, money, opulence, dwelling, etc. Thus at the end of life one worries about how his wife will be protected and how she will manage the great family responsibilities. In this way a man usually thinks of his wife before death. According to Bhagavad-gītā (8.6) :
FAQs
This verse depicts how powerful forces suddenly besiege Purañjana’s city, implying that despite apparent protection, time and inevitable change can overwhelm a life centered on worldly enjoyment.
In the allegory, the “old serpent” symbolizes aging and the life-air/conditioned vitality that guards the body for some time—yet it cannot ultimately prevent the siege of time and decline.
Recognize the fragility of material security and reduce over-attachment to sense pleasures; invest daily attention in sādhana—hearing, chanting, and mindful dharma—so life’s inevitable changes deepen devotion rather than fear.