Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.16.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesChanting Frees Us from Sinful Reactions
“Thereafter, having completed the ritualistic sacrificial ceremonies, Lord Paraśurāma took the bath known as the avabhṛtha-snāna. Standing on the bank of the great river Sarasvatī, cleared of all sins, Lord Paraśurāma appeared like the sun in a clear, cloudless sky.”
What the purport teaches
- After completing the sacrifices, Lord Paraśurāma took the avabhṛtha-snāna. Cleared of all sins, He appeared like the sun in a cloudless sky.
- Work should be performed as a sacrifice for Lord Viṣṇu; otherwise it binds us to repeated birth and death. Even careful people unknowingly harm other living beings.
- Lord Caitanya is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and teaches Kṛṣṇa consciousness through chanting. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is the special sacrifice recommended in this age for protection from known and unknown sinful activities.
Try this today
Set aside two minutes today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra attentively.
Ask yourself
How can I make chanting and service to the Lord part of my daily work?
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.