Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Purañjana Goes Hunting — The Chariot of the Body, Violence of Passion, and Return to Conjugal Bondage
अनुनिन्येऽथ शनकैर्वीरोऽनुनयकोविद: । पस्पर्श पादयुगलमाह चोत्सङ्गलालिताम् ॥ २० ॥
anuninye ’tha śanakair vīro ’nunaya-kovidaḥ pasparśa pāda-yugalam āha cotsaṅga-lālitām
Bấy giờ vị vua dũng mãnh, rất thạo việc dỗ dành, từ tốn làm nguôi lòng hoàng hậu. Trước hết ông chạm vào đôi chân nàng, rồi ôm nàng dịu dàng, đặt nàng ngồi trên đùi mình và bắt đầu nói như sau.
One has to awaken his Kṛṣṇa consciousness by first regretting his past deeds. Just as King Purañjana began to flatter his Queen, one should, by deliberate consideration, raise himself to the platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. To attain such an end, one must touch the lotus feet of the spiritual master. Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be achieved by self-endeavor. One must therefore approach a self-realized, Kṛṣṇa conscious person and touch his lotus feet. Prahlāda Mahārāja therefore said:
FAQs
This verse shows Purañjana’s persuasive attachment to the woman, illustrating how the conditioned soul becomes captivated by material nature through affection, intimacy, and sense-oriented relationship.
He is described as anunaya-kovidaḥ—skilled in conciliation—so he uses tenderness and humility to win her favor, reflecting the dynamics of attachment that deepen worldly bondage in the allegory.
Be mindful that charm, persuasion, and intimacy can intensify attachment; cultivate devotion and self-control so relationships support dharma and bhakti rather than pulling consciousness into mere sense gratification.