Attack by Caṇḍavega on the City of King Purañjana; the Character of Kālakanyā

Purañjana grows deeply attached to family while Caṇḍavega’s soldiers attack his city.

Themes of SB 4.27Moha5 Vairāgya5 Jñāna4 Bhakti3 from its story phase

Connected storiesKing YayātiPrahlāda MahārājaLord Ṛṣabhadeva

Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraNārada Muni → King PrācīnabarhiThe allegory of King Purañjana → Prācīnabarhi, as listenerEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Nārada, King Prācīnabarhiṣat, King Purañjana, his queen, Caṇḍavega, the protecting serpent

The story · Nārada told King Prācīnabarhiṣat an allegory about Purañjana, who traveled everywhere seeking satisfaction for his unlimited desires. Purañjana became attracted to a woman and enjoyed life in a city protected by a watchful serpent. On a hunting trip he mercilessly killed innocent animals, then returned home and tried to soothe his distressed queen. His attachment to his wife, descendants, and possessions grew deeply rooted. Meanwhile, Caṇḍavega’s forces attacked the city, and its protecting serpent fought them for one hundred years.

What it teaches · The account warns against treating family life and the search for wealth as life’s ultimate goal. Absorption in enjoyment leaves one bound to material existence.

SB 4.25.6 SB 4.27.10 SB 4.27.16 Read chapter 25 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

King Yayāti

SB 9.18–19 · Yayāti gives up enjoyment

What it teaches · Lust and greed cannot be satisfied even by all the world’s wealth. One who understands the temporary nature of material happiness turns away from pursuing it.

She was, however, at one time accepted by a great king, Yayāti.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.27.20 (Text 20)

Read the story in SB 9.18–19

Prahlāda Mahārāja

SB 7.5 · Prahlāda remains faithful SB 7.6 · Prahlāda teaches his schoolmates SB 7.7 · Prahlāda hears within the womb

What it teaches · Prahlāda’s devotion does not depend on his teachers’ approval or his father’s favor. His spiritual understanding makes him equal toward everyone.

As stated by Prahlāda Mahārāja, ( Bhāg. 7.9.45).
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.27.9 (Text 9)

Prahlāda Mahārāja describes this process as punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām ( Bhāg. 7.5.30):
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.27.14 (Text 14)

Read the story in SB 7.5

Lord Ṛṣabhadeva

SB 5.3–4 · The Lord becomes Nābhi’s son SB 5.5–6 · Ṛṣabhadeva teaches by words and example

What it teaches · The Supreme Personality of Godhead is without an equal and is merciful to His devotees. The priests approached Him as eternal servants, asking Him to accept their service.

According to Ṛṣabhadeva, such activities are inauspicious because they force one to accept an abominable body in the next life.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 4.27.29 (Text 29)

Read the story in SB 5.3–4

Other Bhāgavatam verses Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes here

Same themes in another canto

Both chapters carry these themes strongly in the themes map, an editorial reading of each chapter's story.

Next in Learn · 4 of 11 · 5 minStudy a verseOne verse with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and three study points from the purport.Back · LearnPreface & Introduction