Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.19.2-3
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyBegin Devotional Worship with Care
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: On the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Agrahāyaṇa [November-December], following the instructions of her husband, a woman should begin this regulative devotional service with a vow of penance, for it can fulfill all one’s desires. Before beginning the worship of Lord Viṣṇu, the woman should hear the story of how the Maruts were born. Under the instructions of qualified brāhmaṇas, in the morning she should wash her teeth, bathe, and dress herself with white cloth and ornaments, and before taking breakfast she should worship Lord Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī.”
What the purport teaches
- The woman should begin this regulative devotional service on the first day of the bright fortnight of Agrahāyaṇa, following her husband's instructions. This vow of penance can fulfill all desires.
- Before beginning worship, she should hear how the Maruts were born and receive instructions from qualified brāhmaṇas.
- In the morning she should clean her teeth, bathe, and dress in white cloth and ornaments. Before breakfast, she should worship Lord Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī.
Try this today
Before your worship today, take a moment to attend to personal cleanliness.
Ask yourself
What attention do I give to preparation before 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.