Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.23.31
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesCareful Bathing According to Prescribed Duties
“Her entire body, including her head, was completely bathed, and she was decorated all over with ornaments. She wore a special necklace with a locket. There were bangles on her wrists and tinkling anklets of gold about her ankles.”
What the purport teaches
- Devahūti bathed her entire body, including her head, and was decorated with ornaments, a necklace, bangles and golden anklets.
- The purport explains that the smṛti-śāstra ordinarily prescribes bathing up to the neck for ladies. Washing the hair daily is not required.
- An ordinary bath is called mala-snāna, while a full bath including the head is called śiraḥ-snāna. The commentators also prescribe sufficient oil for the head on such occasions.
Try this today
Today, write down the meanings of mala-snāna and śiraḥ-snāna.
Ask yourself
What distinction does the purport make between ordinary bathing and a full bath?
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.