Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 19
Purañjana Captivated by Lust; Time (Caṇḍavega) and Old Age (Kālakanyā) Begin the Siege
कालस्य दुहिता काचित्त्रिलोकीं वरमिच्छती । पर्यटन्ती न बर्हिष्मन् प्रत्यनन्दत कश्चन ॥ १९ ॥
kālasya duhitā kācit tri-lokīṁ varam icchatī paryaṭantī na barhiṣman pratyanandata kaścana
亲爱的普拉钦那巴尔希沙特王，当时可怖之时的女儿遍游三界求夫。无人愿纳她，然而她仍然到来。
In due course of time, when the body becomes old and practically invalid, it is subject to jarā, the sufferings of old age. There are four basic kinds of suffering — birth, old age, disease and death. No scientist or philosopher has ever been able to make a solution to these four miserable conditions. The invalidity of old age known as jarā is figuratively explained here as the daughter of Time. No one likes her, but she is very much anxious to accept anyone as her husband. No one likes to become old and invalid, but this is inevitable for everyone.
FAQs
In the Purañjana allegory, the daughter of Time represents the inevitable force of aging (Jarā) that moves through all worlds; no conditioned being can truly avoid her influence.
Nārada uses this allegory to awaken the king’s renunciation—showing that worldly life is steadily overtaken by time, old age, and decline, and that one should turn to bhakti before it is too late.
It urges mindful urgency: recognize aging and time as unavoidable, reduce attachment to temporary identity, and invest daily in lasting spiritual practice—especially hearing and chanting about the Lord.