Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.19.17-18
Sthāna· The universe in orderRemembering Transcendental Rivers Brings Purification
“Two of the rivers — the Brahmaputra and the Śoṇa — are called nadas, or main rivers. These are other great rivers that are very prominent: Candravasā, Tāmraparṇī, Avaṭodā, Kṛtamālā, Vaihāyasī, Kāverī, Veṇī, Payasvinī, Śarkarāvartā, Tuṅgabhadrā, Kṛṣṇāveṇyā, Bhīmarathī, Godāvarī, Nirvindhyā, Payoṣṇī, Tāpī, Revā, Surasā, Narmadā, Carmaṇvatī, Mahānadī, Vedasmṛti, Ṛṣikulyā, Trisāmā, Kauśikī, Mandākinī, Yamunā, Sarasvatī, Dṛṣadvatī, Gomatī, Sarayū, Rodhasvatī, Saptavatī, Suṣomā, Śatadrū, Candrabhāgā, Marudvṛdhā, Vitastā, Asiknī and Viśvā. The inhabitants of Bhārata-varṣa are purified because they always remember these rivers. Sometimes they chant the names of these rivers as mantras, and sometimes they go directly to the rivers to touch them and bathe in them. Thus the inhabitants of Bhārata-varṣa become purified.”
What the purport teaches
- The Brahmaputra and the Śoṇa are called nadas, or main rivers. The translation also names many other prominent rivers.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that all these rivers are transcendental. Remembering them, touching them or bathing in them can purify a person.
- The inhabitants of Bhārata-varṣa sometimes chant these rivers’ names as mantras and sometimes visit them to touch or bathe in them. The purport says this practice continues.
Try this today
Spend a minute remembering Yamunā, Sarasvatī and Godāvarī, softly speaking their names.
Ask yourself
How could I give more attentive remembrance to the transcendental rivers named here?
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.