The Subtle Aspects of Purity in Food and Place

2019-07-31
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.21.08 - The Subtle Aspects of Purity in Food and Place (download mp3)
by Radhika Vallabha Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com

  

SB 11.21.8
akrsna-saro desanam
 abrahmanyo ’sucir bhavet
krsna-saro ’py asauvira-
 kikatasamskrterinam


Translation:
Among places, those bereft of the spotted antelope, those devoid of devotion to the brahmanas, those possessing spotted antelopes but bereft of respectable men, provinces like Kikata and places where cleanliness and purificatory rites are neglected, where meat-eaters are prominent or where the earth is barren, are all considered to be contaminated lands.

Purport:
The word krsna-sara refers to the spotted antelope, whose hide is used by brahmacaris while residing in the asrama of the spiritual master. Brahmacaris never hunt in the forest, but rather accept skins from those animals already deceased. The skin of the black or spotted antelope is also used as a garment by those receiving instruction in the execution of Vedic sacrifice. Therefore, since sacrifice cannot be properly performed in areas bereft of such creatures, these places are impure. Furthermore, although the inhabitants of a particular place may be expert in performing fruitive activities and ritualistic sacrifices, if they are inimical to the devotional service of the Lord, such a place is also polluted. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains that previously the provinces of Bihar and Bengal were bereft of devotional service to the Lord and were considered impure. Then great Vaisnavas such as Jayadeva appeared in these territories, converting them into holy places.

The word asauvira indicates those places without suviras, respectable saintly persons. Ordinarily, a person who obeys the state laws is considered a respectable citizen. In the same way, one who strictly obeys the law of God is considered to be a cultured or decent man, suvira. The place where such intelligent persons reside is called sauviram. Kikata refers to the modern state of Bihar, which traditionally has been known as a territory of uncivilized men. Even in such provinces, however, any place where saintly persons gather is considered to be holy. On the other hand, a province of generally respectable persons is immediately polluted by the presence of sinful men. Asamskrta indicates lack of external cleanliness, as well as the absence of purificatory ceremonies for internal cleanliness. Srila Madhvacarya quotes from the Skanda Purana as follows: “Religious persons should reside within an eight-mile radius of rivers, oceans, mountains, hermitages, forests, spiritual cities or places where the salagrama-sila is found. All other places should be considered kikata, or contaminated. But if even in such contaminated places black and spotted antelopes are found, one may reside there as long as sinful persons are not also present. Even if sinful persons are present, if the civil power rests with respectable authorities, one may remain. Similarly, one may dwell wherever the Deity of Visnu is duly installed and worshiped.”

The Lord here elaborates upon the theme of piety and sin, which are based on purity and impurity. Thus pure and contaminated places of residence are described here.

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