Recap of Lesson 3 (Chapters 26-27) and Highlights of Lesson 4 (Chapter 28) Continuing the theme of detachment from the bodily concept of life, but now introducing simultaneous attachment to Krsna An urgent message for both the younger ( 40 years) hearers of the SB Miseries of old age Dangers of family attachment (Contd) 1

Recap & Highlights Contd How to meet and conquer death? Consequences of illicit sex The process and qualifications for receiving direct instructions from Paramätma, or the Supersoul Queen Vidarbhi, who in her previous life was King Puraïjana, receiving instructions from a brähmana, who is none other than the Supersoul 2

Lesson 4: Chapter 28 Puraïjana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life (1-65) The death of Puraïjana (1-27) Puraïjana becomes a princess named Vaidarbhi in his next life (28-32) Vaidarbhi takes instructions from Avijïäta, her “old” unknown friend (51-65) King Malayadhvaja and Queen Vaidarbhi retire to the forest (33-50)

The death of Puraïjana (1-27) Yavana-räja, Prajvära, Kälakanyä, and their soldiers attacked and disabled the citizens of Puraïjana’s city. Being embraced by Kälakanyä, the sex- addicted Puraïjana lost his beauty, intelligence and opulence. In his weakened conditioned state, he was conquered by the Gandharvas and Yavanas. The defeated King became perturbed that his family members and associates had begun opposing him. Being forced to leave his city the confused King remained concerned for his family. At that time Prajvära set fire to the inhabited city. (Contd) 4

The death of Puraïjana (Contd) Seeing this precarious situation the wearied serpent unsuccessfully sought to escape. Absorbed in concerns for his family’s welfare and his lost assets, Puraïjana began recalling his many past dealings with his wife. Yavana- räja and his associates bound the King, his relatives, and the serpent, leading them away from the city, which was immediately smashed to dust. Despite his condition, the King could not remember his friend, the Supersoul. Taking advantage of this opportunity the many animals, whom the king had sacrificed, took revenge by piercing him with their horns. 5

Miseries of old age The body engaged in sense gratification becomes weaker and weaker daily. Finally the vital force becomes weak and is compared to a weak snake. The gross body and its limbs as well as the subtle body (the mind, intelligence, and false ego: All become weak due to aging and caused by various diseases: Eyes become dim, ears become weak, nostrils get mucus, mouth needs false teeth, evacuation become troublesome, urination system gets blocked, sexual organs not functioning, anxiety and general deterioration, family members become disrespectful, etc. As the life air leave the gross body, the soul experience pain in the subtle body. The body is set fire (107 degree fever) However, the living entity does not want to leave his body. 6

Dangers of Family Attachment (17) “Plans for material enjoyment are made by the subtle body, and the gross body is the instrument for enjoying these plans. Thus the gross body can be compared to the wife, for the wife is the agent for all kinds of sense gratification. Because of long association with the gross body, the living entity becomes very sad to be separated from it. The mental activity of the living entity obliges him to accept another gross body and continue his material existence.” (17) Puranjana remembers his time of enjoyment in illusory happiness. He worries about what will happen to the family members he leaves behind (protector mood is most dangerous – gross imitation of Krishna’s position). 7

How to meet and conquer death? (22, 23) Cultivation and practice of devotional service helps alleviate the fear of death “…one shouldn’t be overly engaged in welfare activities for one’s family members, country men, society, and community. None of these help a person to advance spiritually.” (22) “…one who is fully Krsna conscious (KC) does not accept another material body but returns home, back to Godhead…KC movement…informing them how to conquer death.” (23)(Contd) 8

How to meet and conquer death? (22, 23; Contd) Material enjoyment  must accept suffering Närada Muni is preaching very heavily and harshly, but compassionately so that we may detach ourselves materially. Our determination to detach is not effective, however, because of the modes of material nature. Only thru devotional service  Krsna back in the center of our lives  material detachment possible Only bhakti-yoga dissolves our subtle body. 9

Consequences of Illicit Sex (27) or Illicit sexual encounters = pramadā-sańga-dūṣitaḥ, or contaminated association with women pramadāsańga Eternal sufferings thru darkest region of perpetual material existence Bereft of all remembrance for many, many years 10

Puraïjana becomes a princess named Vaidarbhi in his next life (28-32) Leaving his body while remembering his wife Puraïjana took his next birth as the beautiful princess Vaidharbhi. Marrying the powerful King Malayadhvaja, she gave birth to one black-eyed daughter and seven sons. The daughter, being an exalted devotee, married the great sage Agastya. King Malayadhvaja then divided his kingdom among his sons. 11

King Malaydhvaja and Queen Vaidarbhi retire to the forest (33- 50) Malayadhvaja, followed by his wife, retired to solitary place named Kuläcala to worship Lord Krsna and perform austerities. Through his spiritual practices for 100 celestial years he developed perfect knowledge and pure devotional service to Lord Krsna. Exhibiting deep renunciation, Queen Vaidharbhi faithfully served her husband until he left his body. Lamenting profusely and pitifully, she prepared herself to perish in the funeral pyre along with her husband. 12

The process and qualifications for receiving direct instructions from Paramätma, or the Supersoul (41) säkñäd bhagavatoktena; guruëä hariëä nåpa viçuddha-jïäna-dépena; sphuratä viçvato-mukham In this way King Malayadhvaja attained perfect knowledge because in his pure state he was directly instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By means of such enlightening transcendental knowledge, he could understand everything from all angles of vision. 13

Direct instruction from the Supersoul (Contd) The Lord gives direct instructions only to the advanced, pure devotee. …this distinct advantage is obtained by a liberated soul…. King Malayadhvaja is figuratively taken as the Guru of his wife Vaidarbhi. 14

Vaidarbhi takes instructions from Avijï Vaidarbhi takes instructions from Avijïäta, her “old” unknown friend (51-65) A brähmana, who was an old friend of Puraïjana (the Supersoul) appeared and began questioning and pacifying the Queen. He explained that he was her eternal, intimate friend. She had rejected him in favor of being an enjoyer of the world in different bodily forms, including those of Puraïjana and Vaidharbhi. (Contd) 15

Vaidarbhi takes instructions from Avijï Vaidarbhi takes instructions from Avijïäta, her “old” unknown friend (51-65; Contd) The brähmana described through an allegory the Queen's bewildered condition in material existence. He revealed her actual identity as an eternal spirit soul, one in quality and interest with the Supersoul. Närada concludes the story of Puraïjana, which is an instruction for self-realization. 16

17 Discussion Points Personal Application (PeA) The more one enjoys sex during youth, the more he suffers in old age (1) Preaching Application (PrA) “...it is an advantage for a woman to become a man, but it is not at all advantageous for the man to become a woman.” (19)