Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.18.28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFollow the Devotion of the Mahājanas
“Lord Śiva, the best of demigods, who carries on his forehead the emblem of the moon, receives on his head with great devotion the Ganges water emanating from the toe of Viṣṇu. Being aware of religious principles, Bali Mahārāja knew this. Consequently, following in the footsteps of Lord Śiva, he also placed on his head the water that had washed the Lord’s lotus feet.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva is known as Gaṅgā-dhara because he carries the Ganges water on his head. He places it above the moon emblem to show supreme respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Lord Śiva is one of the mahājanas, and Bali Mahārāja followed his example. By following the paramparā system of mahājana activities, one can advance in spiritual consciousness.
- The Ganges is sanctified because it emanates from Lord Viṣṇu’s toe. The water that washed Vāmanadeva’s lotus feet became equal to the Ganges, so Bali Mahārāja respectfully placed it on his head.
Try this today
Write one sentence describing the reverence shared by Lord Śiva and Bali Mahārāja, and read it before your worship today.
Ask yourself
What does Bali Mahārāja’s willingness to follow Lord Śiva teach you about spiritual advancement?
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.