King Puranjana: The Fall of the Mysterious World

In the previous blog, " King Puranjana: The Mysterious World," we discussed King Puranjana, who left behind his friend and belongings to explore the world in search of a town that suited him. He came across a city with nine gates and was enchanted by its beauty, falling in love with a captivating woman who resided there. The two married, and Puranjana enjoyed the material comforts, not realising that old age had begun to take hold of him.

Now, let's continue the story from where we left off in the previous blog.

The Unseen Invasion

While Puranjana was completely engrossed in his material indulgence, external forces were poised to conquer the city where he lived. Chandavega, a celestial chief, was immensely powerful and commanded three hundred and sixty formidable servants. An equal number of women attended these servants. Seizing the opportunity, Chandavega sought to invade the city, as the city’s king, Puranjana, was absorbed in worldly pleasures, neglecting all else around him. With his three hundred and sixty powerful servants and attendants, Chandavega surrounded the city with the intent to destroy it entirely.

The city was protected by the five-headed snake known as Prajagara, who valiantly fought against these foes but proved no match for such a formidable attacker. This conflict raged for a hundred years, with the serpent unable to withstand the relentless assault. The war had begun long before, ever since King Purajana came to live with the woman he dearly loved. He was so consumed by his wife, children, and other concerns that he overlooked the invasion led by Chandavega. Now, this invader sought to penetrate the thoughts of King Purajana, who refused to acknowledge the unfolding events.

Time, Old Age, and The Lord of Death

Amid this war, Kala was silently watching. Kala had a daughter named Jara who was not good-looking, and no one wanted her. Jara travelled in search of a husband, but people shunned her. One day, Jara came across Sage Narad Ji and asked him to accept her as his wife. Sage Narad refused her proposal, and she cursed him to wander the entire universe without a place to call his own. She did not stop her search and continued to look for a suitor who would accept her. She came across Yavaneshvara, Death and asked him to take her as his wife. The Lord of Death looked at her with kindness and pity and said:

"Please do not get angry with me for being frank. You are not a very attractive woman, nor are you bent on doing any good to anyone. This is the reason that no one is willing to accept you. However, I feel sorry for you. You should stop asking others to accept you willingly; they will not do so, and you will only become disappointed again and again. I suggest that you enter people's lives without they being aware, you silently creep on people, and this entire world will become your slave.

Jara, you should not be afraid. I will team up with you, along with my brother named Prajavara, and we will work as a team. From today, you are my sister, and we will travel the world together, invisible to the eyes of men. When these men are unmindful and unheeding, you and Prajavara creep on them and the rest I will take care of."

Now, Jara, Prajavar and the Lord of death were a team. They all travelled together, bent on bringing destruction wherever they went. They had their army made of men known as Bhaya, fear. While this team was wandering, they came upon the city where Puranjana resided, which was guarded by the old five-headed snake Prajagara, and they knew it was the perfect time to attack.

The Besieged City

Jara sized this moment and entered the body of King Puranjana. She gained full control of his body, and he was helpless and could not do anything about it. To further complicate the situation, Yavanas, the assistants of death, also attacked the city from all sides. King Puranjana was a prisoner, suffering great agony; Jara ravaged his body, and Chandavega and the assistants of death besieged his body.

Changing Relationships

King Puranjana found that his surroundings had changed drastically, and everyone was treating him indifferently. His children did not care about his well-being anymore, and his beloved wife had distanced herself from him. Purajani frowned when he tried to make love to her. He could not invoke the old passion, and he felt weak, and nothing was the same.

The Final Moments

King Puranjana looked helplessly around him. The city was falling before his eyes, and he could do nothing. Prajavara, the brother of death, approached him, bringing with him a sense of fear. King Puranjana was profoundly distressed. The five-headed snake could no longer fight and left King Puranjana to fend for himself.

Puranjana wished to leave the city and wept in pain and agony, with no one to heed his cries. So confused was he that he did not know how to protect the city. While he pondered deeply over the current affairs before him, death approached and claimed his life. With the death of King Puranjana, the city crumbled, leaving nothing behind but the name.

To be continued......

Summary

This blog post continues the narrative of King Puranjana, who, after settling in the beautiful city that rivalled Bhogavati in opulence and marrying a woman, becomes consumed by materialistic pleasures and neglects his surroundings. As he is lost in indulgence, the city is attacked by the powerful celestial chief Chandavega and his forces. While Puranjana is unaware of the unfolding invasion, Kala (time) watches, and his daughter Jara is trying to seek a husband. Jara eventually teams up with Yavaneshvara (Death) and his brother Prajavara, who advise her to subtly infiltrate people's lives. Together, they arrive at the city, where Jara takes control of King Puranjana's body, and Yavanas (assistants of death) attack the city, leading to Puranjana's helplessness, suffering, and the eventual destruction of the city upon his death.

Let's Reflect

This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of life, the body, and material attachments. It urges us to reflect on what we prioritise and whether we are mindful of the inevitable passage of time and its consequences. What lessons do you take away from King Puranjana's fate?