Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 13
Purañjana Goes Hunting — The Chariot of the Body, Violence of Passion, and Return to Conjugal Bondage
तृप्तो हृष्ट: सुदृप्तश्च कन्दर्पाकृष्टमानस: । न व्यचष्ट वरारोहां गृहिणीं गृहमेधिनीम् ॥ १३ ॥
tṛpto hṛṣṭaḥ sudṛptaś ca kandarpākṛṣṭa-mānasaḥ na vyacaṣṭa varārohāṁ gṛhiṇīṁ gṛha-medhinīm
భోజనం చేసి తృప్తి పొందిన పురంజన రాజు హర్షంతో పాటు కొంత గర్వంతో నిండిపోయాడు. ఉన్నత చైతన్యానికి ఎదగకుండా, మన్మథాకర్షణకు లోనై గృహజీవితంలో తృప్తినిచ్చే తన భార్యను వెదకసాగాడు.
This verse is very significant for those desiring to elevate themselves to a higher level of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When a person is initiated by a spiritual master, he changes his habits and does not eat undesirable eatables or engage in the eating of meat, the drinking of liquor, illicit sex or gambling. Sāttvika-āhāra, foodstuffs in the mode of goodness, are described in the śāstras as wheat, rice, vegetables, fruits, milk, sugar, and milk products. Simple food like rice, dāl, capātīs, vegetables, milk and sugar constitute a balanced diet, but sometimes it is found that an initiated person, in the name of prasāda, eats very luxurious foodstuffs. Due to his past sinful life he becomes attracted by Cupid and eats good food voraciously. It is clearly visible that when a neophyte in Kṛṣṇa consciousness eats too much, he falls down. Instead of being elevated to pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he becomes attracted by Cupid. The so-called brahmacārī becomes agitated by women, and the vānaprastha may again become captivated into having sex with his wife, or he may begin to search out another wife. Due to some sentiment, he may give up his own wife and come into the association of devotees and a spiritual master, but due to his past sinful life he cannot stay. Instead of being elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he falls down, being attracted by Cupid, and takes to another wife for sex enjoyment. The fall of the neophyte devotee from the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness down to material life is described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.17) by Nārada Muni:
FAQs
This verse shows that when the mind is pulled by Cupid (kandarpa), a person becomes proud and careless, losing proper vision and appreciation—even toward close relationships—illustrating how lust covers discrimination.
In the Purañjana allegory, his neglect signifies the conditioned soul becoming intoxicated by sensual attraction and ego, thus failing to perceive duties and higher purpose within household life.
Cultivate self-control and devotion (bhakti), keep relationships centered on dharma and spiritual goals, and regularly check pride and sense-gratification so home life supports, rather than replaces, God-conscious living.