Who · Nārada, King Prācīnabarhi, Purañjana, King Malayadhvaja, Malayadhvaja’s wife, the brāhmaṇa friend
The story · Purañjana saw his city ruined and his relatives turn against him; the animals he had killed also pierced him with their horns. He became a woman in the next life, and the account goes on to describe Malayadhvaja’s worship of Kṛṣṇa and his wife’s grief at his death. A brāhmaṇa reminded her of a forgotten intimate friend and explained how material enjoyment makes one forget spiritual life. When Prācīnabarhi asked for clarification, Nārada explained the body’s nine gates, the mind, and the living entity’s wandering through different bodies. With his doubts dispelled, the king left instructions for his sons to protect the citizens and departed for austerities at Kapilāśrama.
What it teaches · Nārada teaches that devotional service, rather than pride in sacrifices, pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Faithfully hearing the Lord’s activities leads one toward seeing Him face to face.