Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 4.59
Preparing for the Deity’s Bathing Ceremony
“The villagers brought a large quantity of tulasī leaves, flowers and various kinds of garments. Then Śrī Mādhavendra Purī personally began the abhiṣeka [bathing ceremony].”
What the purport teaches
- The villagers brought many tulasī leaves, flowers and garments. Śrī Mādhavendra Purī personally began the abhiṣeka, or bathing ceremony.
- The Hari-bhakti-vilāsa states that the Deity should be bathed in water mixed with yogurt and milk, accompanied by conchshells, bells and other instruments.
- The bathing is also accompanied by chanting oṁ bhagavate vāsudevāya namaḥ and the Brahma-saṁhitā verses beginning cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam.
Try this today
Carefully read aloud the mantra oṁ bhagavate vāsudevāya namaḥ given in the purport.
Ask yourself
How does the combination of preparations and chanting shape your understanding of the bathing ceremony?
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.