Puranjana and the lady were captivated by each other’s beauty. She too praised him in every possible way. She extolled his handsome body, his prowess. She assured that she would fulfill all his desires in totality for 100 years without any hindrances.
She continued, “Whom apart from you will I satisfy? Others do not have as much knowledge as you have about love-life and sense gratification. They have no idea about good and bad. Hence, they do not worry about the future in this world or in the next. Such foolish persons who do not know about sensual pleasures are akin to animals.
The life of the house-holder gives fulfillment of dharma, artha (material earnings) and kāma (fulfillment of desires). It bestows joy in the form of begetting children, sensual pleasures, earning fame and prosperity. As a result, the person reaches higher planes after death which is free from all forms of sorrow.
Such material joys are inconceivable by disciplined celibates, Yatis and others who are eternally merged into God. They cannot understand such joy.
Pitṛ-devarṣi-martyānāṁ bhūtānām ātmanaś ca ha Kṣemyaṁ vadanti śaraṇaṁ bhave ’smin yad gṛhāśramaḥ
Elders state that in this world, the life of house-holders causes the wel-being of fore-fathers, Devatas, saints, humans and every other form of life. It is the best refuge. O valourous hero! You have attained great renown. You are broad minded. Merely by seeing you, a person is filled with love. You have come to me on your own accord. Which dignified woman will ever refuse a man as great as you?
O mighty warrior, can there be any woman on earth who will not fall in love with you after seeing your long, powerful arms? With your compassionate tender love-filled gaze, you drive away the misery of many orphaned women. It appears as if you are travelling across earth for this purpose”.
Maharishi Nārada continued, “O King Barhiśat, in this way both of them declared their love for each other openly in that garden. They took the required vows. Thereafter they entered that city and enjoyed pleasures for a hundred years.
The professional singers used to glorify the king. In summer, he bathed in the waters of the lake accompanied by many youthful women.
In order to allow its ruler to travel freely as he pleases from any gate, the city was designed such that it had 7 upward gates and 2 downward gates. There were 5 gates towards the east and 1 gate towards the south, 1 gate towards the north and 2 gates towards the west.
I will tell you the names of these gates. On the east, the two gates Khadyota and āvirmukhi are located at the same place. From those gates Puranjana goes out together with his friend Dwimanta to the Vibhrājita deśa.
In the eastern side there are other two gates called Nalini and Nālini. From these gates, Puranjana accompanied by his friend Avadhoota goes to the city called Sourabha.
In the east, there is yet another famous gate. From this gate, Puranjana together with his friend Rasajna visits the Bāhudana deśa. Together with friend Vipaṇa he visits āpaṇa deśa (province).
O Emperor Barhiśat, on the southern side of the Pura (city), there is a gate known as Pirtuhu. From here Puranjana goes out together with friend Śrutadhara to visit the city called Dakśina-pāṇchala.
On the northern side, there is a gate called Devahu. From here Puranjana goes out with friend Śrutadhara to the city called Uttara-pānchala.
On the western side, there is a gate called āsuri. With friend Durmada, Puranjana goes out to the city Grāmaka.
On the western side, there is another gate called Nivṛti. Together with friend Lubdhaka, Puranjana travels from here to the Vaiśasa deśa.
Among those who live in this city, there are two blind men viz., Nirvāk and Peśaskṛt. Although Puranjana was the ruler for everyone in the kingdom who had eyes, he used to depend exclusively upon these two blind men. He walks with the help of one blind man. He completes all his actions with the help of another.
With the help of his assistant called Viśuchina he visits the inner apartments. There through his wife and children he experiences happiness, excitement, illusion and infatuation. In this way King Puranjana lost all discriminatory intelligence. He became a slave to sensory pleasures. He fell into the trap laid by illusion and was cheated by her. He used to complete all actions as directed by his wife. He would perform only those actions that pleased her and would follow her footsteps very closely. King Puranjana was totally trapped in these worldly bondages.
At times, she would drink liquor. He too would then drink liquor and thereby become intoxicated. When she eats, he too would eat. When she would chew any tasty food, he too would chew the same food. When she sang, he too would sing along. When she wept, he wept. When she laughed, he too laughed. When she chattered and gossiped, he too gossiped.
When she ran, he too ran just like her. When she stood, he stood. When she slept, he too slept. When she sat, he too sat beside her. When she listened, he would listen exactly to the same words along with her. Whatever she saw, he too saw along with her. Whatever she smelt, he would smell the same along with her. Whatever object she touched, he too touched the same object along with her. When she grieved, he too lamented. When she laughed loudly, he too laughed. When she was happy, he was happy”.
Keshavāya namah
Om Kesavaya Namaha !!
Om Keshavaya Namaha 🙏🏻
Keshavaya Namaha! Such is the fate of men!