Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 34
Nārada Instructs Prācīnabarhiṣat: The Purañjana Narrative Begins
City of Nine Gates
इहाद्य सन्तमात्मानं विदाम न तत: परम् । येनेयं निर्मिता वीर पुरी शरणमात्मन: ॥ ३४ ॥
ihādya santam ātmānaṁ vidāma na tataḥ param yeneyaṁ nirmitā vīra purī śaraṇam ātmanaḥ
O pahlawan besar, kami hanya tahu bahwa kami ada di tempat ini. Kami tidak tahu apa yang ada di luar itu. Sungguh, kami begitu bodoh sehingga kami tidak peduli untuk memahami siapa yang telah menciptakan kota indah ini untuk tempat tinggal kami.
This lack of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is called ignorance. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.5) it is called parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ. Everyone is born ignorant. The Bhāgavatam therefore says that we are all born ignorant within this material world. In our ignorance we may create nationalism, philanthropy, internationalism, science, philosophy and so many other things. The basic principle behind all these is ignorance. What then is the value of all this advancement of knowledge if the basic principle is ignorance? Unless a person comes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, all of his activities are defeated. This human form of life is especially meant to dissipate ignorance, but without understanding how to dissipate ignorance people are planning and building many things. After death, however, all of this is finished.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Self is present ‘here and now’ within, and that nothing is higher than Him—indicating the indwelling Paramātmā as the ultimate reality and refuge.
In the Purañjana allegory, the ‘city’ symbolizes the body. Nārada explains that the body is a constructed dwelling and temporary shelter for the jīva, ultimately dependent on the Supreme Lord who fashioned it.
Practice seeing yourself as the soul rather than the body, and remember the Lord within through prayer, japa, and mindful living—using the body as a sacred instrument rather than a source of identity.