Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.2.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesServe the Supreme Lord and Respect All
“My dear Vidura, carrier of bows and arrows, all the demigods who were performing the sacrifice took their bath at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamunā after completing the yajña performance. Such a bath is called avabhṛtha-snāna. After thus becoming purified in heart, they departed for their respective abodes.”
What the purport teaches
- The sages continued the sacrifice to satisfy the Supreme Lord even after Śiva and Dakṣa had left. At its completion, the participants took avabhṛtha-snāna at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamunā and departed purified in heart.
- Transcendental loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not require separate worship of the demigods, but one should still respect them. Worshiping the Supreme Lord satisfies them, just as watering a tree’s root nourishes its branches and leaves.
- In the Age of Kali, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam recommends saṅkīrtana-yajña, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Loving service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the goal, rather than seeking material benefits from demigods.
Try this today
Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Ask yourself
How can I make loving service to the Supreme Lord my focus while remaining respectful toward the demigods?
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.