Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.8.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPreserve Purification by Avoiding Further Sin
“The sages came from the highest planets down to the lower region through the water of the Ganges, and therefore the hair on their heads was wet. They touched the lotus feet of the Lord, which are worshiped with various paraphernalia by the daughters of the serpent-king when they desire good husbands.”
What the purport teaches
- The Ganges flows directly from the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, from the highest planet to the lowest. Through mystic yoga, the sages traveled down its waters from Satyaloka.
- Touching Ganges water to the head directly touches the Lord’s lotus feet and can free one from the effects of sinful acts.
- After purification, one must guard against further sinful acts. Returning to them is like an elephant bathing and then covering itself with dust.
Try this today
Identify one sinful action you need to avoid, and take one concrete precaution against it today.
Ask yourself
What habit could undo the purification you are seeking?
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.