2 The Characteristics of King Puraïjana (Lesson 2, Chapter 25) 1) Närada Muni shows mercy to King Präcinabarhiñat, the father of the Pracetäs (1-9) 2) Närada narrates the history of King Puraïjana as an allegory (10-24) 4) Puraïjana becomes captivated by his wife (44-62) 3) The beautiful woman becomes King Puraïjana’s queen (25-43)

Näräda Muni shows mercy to King Präcinabarhiñat, the father of the Pracetäs (1-9) The Sage Maitreya concludes his narration of the meeting of Lord Çiva and the Pracetäs. Närada Muni appears before King Präcinabarhiñat and questions him about the value of his fruitive activities. The King admits his material entanglement and requests Närada for enlightenment. Närada reveals a vision of the animals sacrificed by the king who are awaiting his death to take revenge. 3

Närada narrates the history of King Puraïjana (10-24) Närada begins to tell the history of King Puraïjana, who became morose after unsuccessfully searching for a suitable living place to satisfy his unlimited material desires. While wandering in Bhärata-varña (India) he came to an auspicious, opulent city with nine gates (human body). Surrounding the city were sublime gardens where the King encountered a beautiful woman accompanied by ten servants, their many wives, and a five-hooded snake. She appeared anxious to find a suitable husband. 4

What does Puraïjana mean? Beginning of the Allegory A metaphorical story in which people, things, and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning, which is used for teaching or explaining ideas, moral principles, etc. A metaphorical story in which people, things, and happenings have a hidden or symbolic meaning, which is used for teaching or explaining ideas, moral principles, etc. Because a person entangled in material activities wants to hear stories of material activities, Närada Muni turned to the topics of King Puraïjana, who is none other than King Präcénabarhiñat. Because a person entangled in material activities wants to hear stories of material activities, Närada Muni turned to the topics of King Puraïjana, who is none other than King Präcénabarhiñat.In reality, every living entity is a puraïjana.(Contd) 5

What does Puraïjana mean? (Contd)  Puraï-jana  The word “Puraï-jana” means “one who enjoys in a body.” (SP’s purport to verse 9)   Bhurijana Prabhu quotes Çrila Viçvanätha Cakravarti Thäkura’s definition of Puraïjana as follows:   “purmetat çariraà svakarmaëä janayatéti tasya purïjanasya, or “one whose actions (karma) generate (janayati) the city (puraà) of the body.” 6

What each of the allegories represent? (20-21; Und)   The very young, beautiful woman searching for a husband = fresh intelligence (born of material mode of passion), which cannot act alone w/out consciousness, or the individual soul   Her 10+1 servants, each with their wives = the 5 knowledge gathering + 5 working senses + the mind, each with scores of unlimited, material desires   The five-hooded snake = the vital force of a living entity including the 5 kinds of air working within the body—präna, apäna, vyäna, samäna, and udäna. 7

Who is Puraïjana’s unknown friend (10)? No one can fulfill any desire without the sanctioning authority of the Lord. All the facilities given by the Lord are unknown to the conditioned soul. Consequently he is described as avijïäta- sakhä, meaning "one who has an unknown friend." The word avijïäta-ceñöitaù is also significant because a living entity works hard under the direction of the Supersoul and is carried away by the laws of nature (that friend returns in , when the soul laments and repents). 8

The beautiful woman becomes King Puraïjana’s queen (25-43) Attracted by the enticing woman Puraïjana inquired about her associates then proposed to her. Accepting his proposal, the woman responded that her associates were her friends and the snake was the protector of the city. She was unaware of her origin or destination and the names and histories of her associates. She promised to try to fulfill the King’s desires in the nine-gated city. While glorifying the householder life, she expressed her attraction to the powerful King. Puraïjana and the woman entered the city and enjoyed there for one hundred years. 9

Puraïjana becomes captivated by his wife(44-62) Puraïjana becomes captivated by his wife (44-62) 10 Närada describes the nine gates of the city (human body) and how the King along with different friends would utilize those gates (each gate afforded him enjoyment of particular type of sense objects). The King would also associate with two blind persons (hands & legs) and would sometimes go to his private home with one of his chief servant (the mind), where he would experience illusion (bewilderment in the mode of ignorance), satisfaction (material enjoyment in the mode of passion), and happiness (in the mode of goodness) from his wife and children. Entangled by his material activities King Puraïjana came completely under the control of the Queen, and was cheated. While fulfilling the desires of his wife he would mirror her activities and moods.

11 Discussion Points Understanding (Und) What each of the allegories represent? Preaching (PrA), or Theological (ThA) Application “A woman likes a man who is very expert at rape.” (41-42) A few relevant points in a sentence each from various sections of the chapter and their explanations by SP.