Srila Prabhupada Books Can Pierce Thick Layers Of Covering

2010-12-02
Srimad Bhagavatam 09.09.09-12 - Srila Prabhupada Books Can Pierce Thick Layers Of Covering (download mp3)
by Navin Nirada Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net




  SB 9.9.9
tatheti rajñabhihitam
sarva-loka-hitah sivah
dadharavahito gangam
pada-puta-jalam hareh

Translation:
When King Bhagiratha approached Lord Siva and requested him to sustain the forceful waves of the Ganges, Lord Siva accepted the proposal by saying, "Let it be so." Then, with great attention, he sustained the Ganges on his head, for the water of the Ganges is purifying, having emanated from the toes of Lord Visnu.

SB 9.9.10
bhagirathah sa rajarsir
ninye bhuvana-pavanim
yatra sva-pitrnam deha
bhasmibhutah sma serate

Translation:
The great and saintly king Bhagiratha brought the Ganges, which can deliver all the fallen souls, to that place on earth where the bodies of his forefathers lay burnt to ashes.

SB 9.9.11
rathena vayu-vegena
prayantam anudhavati
desan punanti nirdagdhan
asiñcat sagaratmajan

Translation:
Bhagiratha mounted a swift chariot and drove before mother Ganges, who followed him, purifying many countries, until they reached the ashes of Bhagiratha's forefathers, the sons of Sagara, who were thus sprinkled with water from the Ganges.

SB 9.9.12
yaj-jala-sparsa-matrena
brahma-danda-hata api
sagaratmaja divam jagmuh
kevalam deha-bhasmabhih

Translation:
Because the sons of Sagara Maharaja had offended a great personality, the heat of their bodies had increased, and they were burnt to ashes. But simply by being sprinkled with water from the Ganges, all of them became eligible to go to the heavenly planets. What then is to be said of those who use the water of mother Ganges to worship her?

Purport:
Mother Ganges is worshiped by the water of the Ganges: a devotee takes a little water from the Ganges and offers it back to the Ganges. When the devotee takes the water, mother Ganges does not lose anything, and when the water is offered back, mother Ganges does not increase, but in this way the worshiper of the Ganges is benefited. Similarly, a devotee of the Lord offers the Lord patram puspam phalam toyam [Bg. 9.26] a leaf, flower, fruit or water in great devotion, but everything, including the leaf, flower, fruit and water, belongs to the Lord, and therefore there is nothing to renounce or to accept. One must simply take advantage of the bhakti process because by following this process one does not lose anything but one gains the favor of the Supreme Person.