Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.6.41
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAn Astonishing Fragrance
“Upon smelling the fragrance of the smoke emanating from Pūtanā’s burning body, many inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi in distant places were astonished. “Where is this fragrance coming from?” they asked. Thus they went to the spot where Pūtanā’s body was being burnt.”
What the purport teaches
- Smoke from a burning fire does not always have a pleasant aroma. Yet the smoke from Pūtanā’s burning body had a wonderful fragrance.
- Even inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi in distant places smelled the fragrance and were astonished.
- They asked where the fragrance was coming from and went to the place where Pūtanā’s body was being burnt.
Try this today
Read the translation slowly today, pausing to consider why the inhabitants were astonished.
Ask yourself
What strikes you about the inhabitants’ wonder at this unexpected fragrance?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.