Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.17.4
Sthāna· The universe in orderRemember the Ganges’ Transcendental Origin
“After purifying the seven planets near Dhruvaloka [the polestar], the Ganges water is carried through the spaceways of the demigods in billions of celestial airplanes. Then it inundates the moon [Candraloka] and finally reaches Lord Brahmā’s abode atop Mount Meru.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrīla Prabhupāda asks us always to remember that the Ganges comes from the Causal Ocean, beyond the universe’s covering. She enters through the hole created by Lord Vāmanadeva.
- After reaching Dhruvaloka and the seven planets beneath it, her water is carried to the moon by innumerable celestial airplanes. It then falls to Mount Meru.
- The Ganges eventually reaches the peaks of the Himālayas. From there she flows through Hardwar and the plains of India, purifying the land.
Try this today
Write a short sequence of the Ganges’ journey, beginning with the Causal Ocean and ending with the plains of India.
Ask yourself
How does remembering the Ganges’ origin shape my understanding of her purifying role?
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.