Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 4 Chapter 27:1-17

Book 4: Chapter 27

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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 27: Verses 1-17
Raid of Candavega against the capital of Puranjana and the story of Kalakanya

Narada resumed : Having thus brought Puranjana completely under sway by her feminine graces, O great king, Puranjani (the wife of Puranjana) enjoyed life, bringing delight to her spouse. King Puranjana, 0 Pracinabarhi, greeted her when she came up to him with a bright countenance, having washed herself well and fitted herself with auspicious decoration, and (fully) gratified (after a hearty and sumptuous dinner). Embraced by her, he threw his arms about her neck; and, infatuated by her secret amatory counsel, he did not notice the rapid movement of time, which was difficult to master, knowing not whether it was day or night, his mind being completely possessed by (the charms of) that young woman. Lying on a splendid couch with the arm of his queen serving as a pillow, the over-ambitious and valiant Puranjana, whose arrogance knew no bounds, accounted his wife the supreme object of his life; and, overpowered as he was with infatuation, he did not know what was his and what was alien (to him). While he thus tasted sensual delights with her, his mind (reason) clouded by passion, his youth passed away-half a second as it were, O king of kings ! Emperor Puranjana begot through that Puranjani (as many as) eleven hundred sons and one hundred and ten daughters. These latter brought glory to their parents and were endowed with a noble character and virtues like generosity and so on. They became (collectively) known as Pauranjanas (daughters of Puranjana and Puranjana),O ruler of men. By the time (he begot all these) half his life was spent. That ruler of Pancala duly united his sons, who propagated their ancestral line, with (worthy) brides and his daughters with suitable bridegrooms. A hundred sons were born in due course to each of his sons. By these the race of Puranjana considerably grew in the land of the Pancalas. Through a deep-seated feeling of mineness in respect of his sons and grandsons (the heirs of sons), houses, treasury and dependants (servants, ministers and so on), he got attached to the objects of sense more and more. And, prompted by manifold desires, he worshipped, as you did, the gods and manes as well as the lords of ghosts through (a number of) horrible sacrifices involving animal-slaughter, after being (duly) consecrated for them. While he thus remained unmindful of all that was conducive to his welfare, his mind being attached to his family, the period of senility stole upon him-a period (most) unwelcome to those who are fond of women. (Now) there is a chief of the Gandharvas, known by the name of Candavega, O king l Three hundred and sixty strong Gandharvas (celestial musicians), forming his retinue, and Gandharva women, equally strong, half of them fair and others dark (of complexion), pairing with them, ravage by rotation a city which is well provided with all objects of enjoyment (even) when it was built. When these attendants of Candavega commenced pillaging the capital of Puranjana, Prajagara (the serpent) offered resistance there. For (full) hundred years that powerful guard of the city fought single-handed with those seven hundred and twenty (Gandharvas of both sexes). When his relation (Prajagara) began to lose strength as a result of his combat with many, Puranjana felt (extremely) distressed with his (entire) dominion and city and kinsmen (too), and was filled with great anxiety.

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