Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 26
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
यदात्मानमविज्ञाय भगवन्तं परं गुरुम् । पुरुषस्तु विषज्जेत गुणेषु प्रकृते: स्वदृक् ॥ २६ ॥ गुणाभिमानी स तदा कर्माणि कुरुतेऽवश: । शुक्लं कृष्णं लोहितं वा यथाकर्माभिजायते ॥ २७ ॥
yadātmānam avijñāya bhagavantaṁ paraṁ gurum puruṣas tu viṣajjeta guṇeṣu prakṛteḥ sva-dṛk
Kapag hindi nakikilala ng kaluluwa ang sariling tunay na anyo at nalilimutan ang Bhagavan, ang Kataas-taasang Guro, siya’y napapailalim sa mga guna ng prakrti. Dahil sa pagkapit sa mga guna, napipilitang gumawa ng karma at ayon sa karma’y tumatanggap ng iba’t ibang katawan—puti, itim, o pula.
These different types of bodies are explained in Bhagavad-gītā (13.22) :
FAQs
This verse explains that when one does not realize the self and the Supreme Lord, one naturally becomes absorbed in prakriti’s modes (gunas) and begins to identify and act under their influence.
Narada emphasizes that the Lord is the ultimate guide; forgetting Him and one’s spiritual identity is the root cause of bondage in material qualities.
Notice how moods, habits, and identities shift with material influence; grounding life in spiritual practice (bhakti, remembrance of the Lord, guidance from guru) helps one stop living as a product of the gunas.