Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 17
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
यथा यथा विक्रियते गुणाक्तो विकरोति वा । तथा तथोपद्रष्टात्मा तद्वृत्तीरनुकार्यते ॥ १७ ॥
yathā yathā vikriyate guṇākto vikaroti vā tathā tathopadraṣṭātmā tad-vṛttīr anukāryate
众生被诸德所染的智性所左右，如何变异或造作，便也如同“见证之我”(upadraṣṭā)一般，只是摹仿那智性的种种起伏。无论醒时或梦时，智性都编织出不同境况。
The queen of Purañjana is described herein as intelligence itself. Intelligence acts both in the dream state and in the waking state, but it is contaminated by the three modes of material nature. Since the intelligence is contaminated, the living entity is also contaminated. In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent.
FAQs
This verse explains that the ātmā is fundamentally the witness, but when consciousness is colored by the guṇas, the soul appears to ‘follow’ the mind’s transformations, though it remains distinct from them.
Nārada instructs the king—attached to ritualistic karma and worldly identity—using the allegory’s philosophy: to recognize that the self is separate from guṇa-driven mental and bodily changes, and thus turn toward devotion and liberation.
Practice observing thoughts and emotions as guṇa-effects (like passion, inertia, clarity) rather than ‘me,’ and redirect attention to sādhana—hearing, chanting, and remembering Bhagavān—so identity shifts from reactions to devotion.