Srimad Bhagavatam – day 245
Maharishi Narada continued, “Being completely under the grip of his wife, Puranjana could not realize that time was flying swiftly. O Emperor Barhiśat! Time has a daughter known as Jarā (old age). In search of a husband she travelled across all the three planes. However none was ready to marry her. This unfortunate girl became famous as Durbhaga (ill-fated). At last the saintly king Pura accepted her hand and she was immensely pleased. As a reward she bestowed him with kingship.
Thereafter this infatuated woman filled with lustful desires, began to wander everywhere. I once travelled from Brahma-loka and visited earth. She saw me and was infatuated. Although she knew that I am an eternal celibate she wanted to marry me. I did not accept her request.
Infuriated with me she cursed me saying, “O saint, you have rejected my proposal and have not fulfilled my desire. Therefore you will not be able to stay at one place for a long time. You will be an eternal wanderer”.
Seeing her disappointed, I directed her to Bhaya (fear), the Lord of the Yavanas. She approached Bhaya and said to him,
“O valourous one, you are the best amongst the Yavanas. Out of deep love for you I seek to marry you. When living beings make any sankalpa on you, it should not go for a waste.
Dvāv imāv anuśocanti bālāv asad-avagrahau
Yal loka-śāstropanataṁ na rāti na tad icchati
The person who does not engage in charitable deeds as stipulated in scriptures or per the customs adhered to in the world and the person who does not accept charity per the norms stipulated by the scriptures are fools. Both their sankalpas (resolutions) are a sheer waste. They will ultimately be grieving.
Here there are two points: she says-
He who does not engage in charitable deeds as mandated by the scriptures. This refers to person who has the ability but refrains from charity.
The second is the person who has the eligibility to accept charity as per Shastras, but does not accept the same when it is offered to him.
Therefore O valourous king, I am in love with you. Please marry me. Please be compassionate. To be compassionate towards the helpless is the dharma of a man”.
The Lord of Yavanās, desirous of fulfilling a secretive duty on behalf of the Devatas, smilingly said to her, “With complete concentration I have pondered about you and have found a suitable husband for you. Everyone considers you to be inauspicious hence none of them desire to marry you.
Therefore you enjoy the bodies of these living beings who are totally dedicated towards frutitive actions. My army will help you in this task. With its help you can destroy the bodies of all living beings per your whims.
Here is my brother Prajvara. I accept you as my sister. Together with you both and with my fearful army I will wander secretively in this world”.
With this the twenty-seventh chapter of the fourth canto comes to an end.
Fourth Canto Chapter Twenty-eight
During the process of explaining the story of Vidarbha king’s daughter, the story of how Puranjana was reborn as a woman and he regaining his original form due to association with holy devotees of the Lord are covered in this chapter.
Narada Maharishi continued, “O Emperor Barhiśat, based on the orders of Bhaya, the Lord of Yavanas, his army accompanied Prajvara and Jarā and travelled throughout the earth. They attacked King Puranjana’s city. This city was soaking in luxuries and objects of sense-gratification. An old serpent was guarding this city.
Jarā, the daughter of time, forcefully entered the city, occupied and enjoyed it. She kept it under her control. The person who is attacked by Jarā loses all capabilities and begins to feel lifeless.
Around this time army of Yavana entered the city through all its doors. They destroyed the city entirely. Puranjana was the king of the land. Hence he had excessive feelings of infatuation and attachment towards it and towards the inhabitants of the city. He was tormented badly when the city was attacked and destroyed.
Jarā embraced King Puranjana due to which he lost all his physical beauty. He became weak and helpless. Due to the touch of Kālakanya Jara the enjoyment derived from sensory pleasures weakened nevertheless his mind was totally enchanted towards sensory pleasures. He lost all discrimination. Gandharvas and Yavanas looted all this wealth. His city was totally dilapidated.
His sons, grandsons, ministers and attendants failed to give him any respect. Even wife Puranjani was now devoid of any feelings of love towards him. In this pitiable condition Puranjana lamented profusely. He did not know how to escape from this torture. As Jara, the daughter of time, had kept him in her sway, he could no longer enjoy the objects of sense-gratification. He lost everything.
Nārāyaṇāya namah