Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 9

The Fall of Purañjana and the Supersoul as the Eternal Friend

Purañjana-Upākhyāna Culmination

Devanagari script

कामानभिलषन्दीनो यातयामांश्च कन्यया । विगतात्मगतिस्‍नेह: पुत्रदारांश्च लालयन् ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

kāmān abhilaṣan dīno yāta-yāmāṁś ca kanyayā vigatātma-gati-snehaḥ putra-dārāṁś ca lālayan

Translation

カーラカンニャーの影響で、享楽の対象は色あせ、味気なくなった。欲望が絶えず続いたため、プランジャナ王はあらゆる面で貧しくなり、人生の目的を悟れなかった。それでも妻子への愛着は強く、彼らを養うことに心を煩わせた。

Synonyms

• कामान्: desires, sense-enjoyments
• कामान्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• अभिलषन्: desiring
• अभिलषन्: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √लष्/लष् (धातु) अभि- उपसर्ग; शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle)

• दीनः: wretched, miserable
• दीनः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• यात-यामान्: stale/overdue (pleasures)
• यात-यामान्: कर्म-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यात (कृदन्त; √या (धातु) क्त) + याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘कामान्’ इति विशेषण; कर्मधारय—‘याताः यामाः येषां ते’ (stale/overdue)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• कन्यया: by the girl
• कन्यया: करण
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• विगत-आत्म-गति-स्नेहः: whose attachment to self-advancement is gone
• विगत-आत्म-गति-स्नेहः: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विगत (कृदन्त; वि- + √गम् क्त) + आत्म (प्रातिपदिक) + गति (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि—‘यस्य आत्मगत्यां स्नेहः विगतः’ (attachment to self-progress gone)

• पुत्र-दारान्: sons and wife (family)
• पुत्र-दारान्: कर्म
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + दार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (इतरेतर)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• लालयन्: caressing, fondling
• लालयन्: कर्ता-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √लल्/लालय् (धातु) शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle)

Purport

This is exactly the position of present civilization. Everyone is engaged in maintaining the body, home and family. Consequently everyone becomes confused at the end of life, not knowing what spiritual life and the goal of human life are. In a civilization of sense gratification there cannot be spiritual life, because a person thinks only of this life. Although the next life is a fact, no information is given about it.

Characters & Entities

• Purañjana
• kanyā (the maiden/wife)
• putra (sons)
• dārā (wife/family)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about attachment to wife and children?

This verse depicts how excessive attachment and indulgence in family-centered sense enjoyment can make one lose ātma-gati (true spiritual direction) and become drained and miserable.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Purañjana as ‘wretched’ (dīnaḥ)?

Because Purañjana is shown as ruled by kāma (desire), spending his life-force in enjoyment and remaining absorbed in bodily relationships rather than self-realization—an allegory for the conditioned soul.

Practical application: how can I reduce sense gratification and increase bhakti in daily life?

Notice where desire is draining your time and clarity, simplify indulgences, and redirect attention to sādhana—hearing/chanting, prayer, and service—so family affection becomes supportive of devotion rather than a replacement for it.