Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 50
Nārada Instructs Prācīnabarhiṣat: The Purañjana Narrative Begins
City of Nine Gates
पितृहूर्नृप पुर्या द्वार्दक्षिणेन पुरञ्जन: । राष्ट्रं दक्षिणपञ्चालं याति श्रुतधरान्वित: ॥ ५० ॥
pitṛhūr nṛpa puryā dvār dakṣiṇena purañjanaḥ rāṣṭraṁ dakṣiṇa-pañcālaṁ yāti śrutadharānvitaḥ
城南之门名为“皮特利胡”(Pitṛhū)。普兰阇那王常由此门，在友人“持闻者”(Śrutadhara)相伴下，前往名为“南般遮罗”(Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla)的国土。
The right ear is used for karma-kāṇḍīya, or fruitive activities. As long as one is attached to the enjoyment of material resources, he hears from the right ear and uses the five senses to elevate himself to the higher planetary systems like Pitṛloka. Consequently, the right ear is here described as the Pitṛhū gate.
FAQs
This verse states that Purañjana exits the city through the southern gate and travels to Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla with Śrutadhara, continuing the allegorical narrative of the soul’s movements and engagements.
Śukadeva narrates Purañjana’s movements as part of an instructive allegory, guiding Parīkṣit to perceive deeper lessons about embodied life, direction of consciousness, and the soul’s associations.
It highlights how one’s “direction” and companions shape one’s destination—choose uplifting associations and consciously steer life toward dharma, devotion, and self-understanding.