Shloka 14
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
आसुरी मेढ्रमर्वाग्द्वार्व्यवायो ग्रामिणां रति: । उपस्थो दुर्मद: प्रोक्तो निऋर्तिर्गुद उच्यते ॥ १४ ॥
āsurī meḍhram arvāg-dvār vyavāyo grāmiṇāṁ ratiḥ upastho durmadaḥ prokto nirṛtir guda ucyate
आसुरी नाम अधोद्वारं मेढ्रम्; तेन ग्रामकं पुरं व्यवायार्थं, ग्रामिणां मूढानां रतिप्रदम्। उपस्थो दुर्मदः प्रोक्तः, गुदो निऋर्तिरुच्यते।
When the world becomes degraded, civilization becomes demoniac, and for the common man the rectum and the genitals are taken very seriously as the centers of all activity. Even in such a sacred place as Vṛndāvana, India, unintelligent men pass off this rectal and genital business as spiritual activity. Such people are called sahajiyā. According to their philosophy, through sexual indulgence one can elevate oneself to the spiritual platform. From these verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, however, we understand that the desires for sexual satisfaction are meant for the arvāk, the lowest among men. To rectify these rascals and fools is very difficult. After all, the sex desires of the common man are condemned in these verses. The word durmada means “wrongly directed,” and nirṛti means “sinful activity.” Although this clearly indicates that sex indulgence is abominable and misdirected even from the ordinary point of view, the sahajiyās nonetheless pass themselves off as devotees conducting spiritual activities. For this reason, Vṛndāvana is no longer visited by intelligent men. We are often asked why we have made our center in Vṛndāvana. From the external point of view, it can be concluded that Vṛndāvana has become degenerate due to these sahajiyā activities, yet from the spiritual point of view, Vṛndāvana is the only place where all these sinful persons can be rectified by means of taking birth in the forms of dogs, hogs and monkeys. By living in Vṛndāvana as a dog, hog or monkey, the living entity can be elevated to the spiritual platform in the next life.
FAQs
This verse portrays sexual enjoyment as a coarse, materialistic attachment and links it with degrading, intoxicating lust—encouraging the seeker to rise above lower sense impulses for spiritual progress.
In the allegory, the body is mapped like a city with gates and governing forces to show how the living being becomes conditioned through sense outlets and attachments, and how to develop detachment and bhakti.
Practice sense restraint, avoid lust-driven intoxication of the mind, and redirect desire toward devotion—through regulated life, pure habits, and remembrance of the Lord.