Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 1.37
Mother Ganges and Shelter at Death
“In this way the two brothers Rūpa and Anupama reached Bengal, but when they arrived there Anupama died.”
What the purport teaches
- The brothers Rūpa and Anupama reached Bengal, where Anupama died.
- Formerly, a person who died was commonly said to have attained the shelter of mother Ganges, even without dying on her bank.
- The purport describes the Hindu custom of carrying a dying person to the Ganges. One who dies on her bank is considered to reach the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu, from whom the Ganges flows.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining the connection between the Ganges and the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu.
Ask yourself
How does the expression “the shelter of mother Ganges” shape your understanding of the custom described here?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.