Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 31
Nārada Instructs Prācīnabarhiṣat: The Purañjana Narrative Begins
City of Nine Gates
त्वदाननं सुभ्रु सुतारलोचनं व्यालम्बिनीलालकवृन्दसंवृतम् । उन्नीय मे दर्शय वल्गुवाचकं यद्व्रीडया नाभिमुखं शुचिस्मिते ॥ ३१ ॥
tvad-ānanaṁ subhru sutāra-locanaṁ vyālambi-nīlālaka-vṛnda-saṁvṛtam unnīya me darśaya valgu-vācakaṁ yad vrīḍayā nābhimukhaṁ śuci-smite
Mahal kong dalaga na may gandang kilay, ang iyong mukha’y napakaganda sa iyong mga mata, at napapalibutan ng mga hibla ng bughaw na buhok na nakalaylay. Mula sa iyong bibig ay lumalabas ang matatamis na salita; ngunit dahil sa hiya, hindi mo ako tinitingnan nang harapan. Kaya, O may dalisay na ngiti, itaas mo ang iyong ulo, tumingin ka sa akin, at ngumiti nang banayad.
Such a speech is typical of a living entity attracted by the opposite sex. This is called bewilderment occasioned by becoming conditioned by material nature. When thus attracted by the beauty of the material energy, one becomes very eager to enjoy. This is elaborately described in this instance of Purañjana’s becoming attracted by the beautiful woman. In conditional life the living entity is attracted by a face, eyebrows or eyes, a voice or anything. In short, everything becomes attractive. When a man or a woman is attracted by the opposite sex, it does not matter whether the opposite sex is beautiful or not. The lover sees everything beautiful in the face of the beloved and thus becomes attracted. This attraction causes the living entity to fall down in this material world. This is described in Bhagavad-gītā (7.27) :
FAQs
In the story’s romantic setting, Purañjana pleads with the shy queen to face him; allegorically, it reflects the jīva’s attraction to the mind/senses and the pull of worldly charm that leads to deeper attachment.
The queen is modest and turns away in shyness, so Purañjana—captivated by her beauty and sweetness—requests her to lift her hair-veiled face and look toward him, intensifying their bond in the narrative.
It can be read as a reminder to notice how quickly fascination with beauty and sweet speech can bind the mind; a devotee redirects the same attention toward hearing and seeing the Lord (śravaṇa-darśana) rather than feeding attachment.