Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.21.4
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Ganges Purifies Through the Lord’s Connection
“O King, the water from Lord Brahmā’s kamaṇḍalu washed the lotus feet of Lord Vāmanadeva, who is known as Urukrama, the wonderful actor. Thus that water became so pure that it was transformed into the water of the Ganges, which went flowing down from the sky, purifying the three worlds like the pure fame of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Water from Lord Brahmā’s kamaṇḍalu washed Lord Vāmanadeva’s lotus feet and became the Ganges. It purifies the three worlds like the Lord’s pure fame.
- The purport also describes transcendental water entering when Vāmanadeva’s left foot pierced the universe’s covering. It further states that Lord Nārāyaṇa appeared as the Ganges water.
- Following Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura’s explanation, the Ganges combines three transcendental waters. Thus it can purify the three worlds.
Try this today
Reread the description of the Ganges while remembering the Lord’s lotus feet.
Ask yourself
What does the Ganges teach me about the purifying connection with the Lord?
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.