Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.7.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesCleanliness and the Holy Name Purify Worship
“Thereafter, in order to resume the activities of sacrifice, the brāhmaṇas first arranged to purify the sacrificial arena of the contamination caused by the touch of Vīrabhadra and the other ghostly followers of Lord Śiva. Then they arranged to offer into the fire the oblations known as puroḍāśa.”
What the purport teaches
- Before resuming the sacrifice, the brāhmaṇas purified the arena contaminated by Vīrabhadra and Lord Śiva's other followers. They arranged the puroḍāśa offerings.
- An offering to Lord Viṣṇu cannot be performed uncleanly. The place of worship, those serving and the preparation of food must be kept neat and clean.
- Chanting or even remembering the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu immediately purifies one, internally and externally. His holy name sanctified the sacrificial arena.
Try this today
Clean your place of worship today, then chant or remember Lord Viṣṇu's holy name before beginning.
Ask yourself
How can you give more care to both cleanliness and remembrance of the Lord in your worship?
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.