Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11
Bhṛgu Tests the Trimūrti; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna Visit Mahā-Viṣṇu and Recover the Brāhmaṇa’s Sons
पुनीहि सहलोकं मां लोकपालांश्च मद्गतान् । पादोदकेन भवतस्तीर्थानां तीर्थकारिणा ॥ १० ॥ अद्याहं भगवँल्लक्ष्म्या आसमेकान्तभाजनम् । वत्स्यत्युरसि मे भूतिर्भवत्पादहतांहस: ॥ ११ ॥
punīhi saha-lokaṁ māṁ loka-pālāṁś ca mad-gatān pādodakena bhavatas tīrthānāṁ tīrtha-kāriṇā
“Please purify Me, My realm and the realms of the universal rulers devoted to Me by giving us the water that has washed your feet. This holy water is indeed what makes all places of pilgrimage sacred. Today, my lord, I have become the exclusive shelter of the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī; she will consent to reside on My chest because your foot has rid it of sins.”
Continuing his comments, Śrīla Prabhupāda says: “The so-called brāhmaṇas of the Kali-yuga are sometimes very proud that a great brāhmaṇa like Bhṛgu Muni could touch the chest of Lord Viṣṇu with his foot. But in fact, when Bhṛgu Muni kicked the chest of Lord Viṣṇu it was the greatest offense, although Lord Viṣṇu, being greatly magnanimous, did not take it very seriously.”
FAQs
This verse calls the devotee “tīrtha-kāriṇā,” one who makes even pilgrimage sites holy—showing that the Lord considers His pure devotees the true source of sanctity.
To teach that bhakti is supreme and that He honors His devotees; by glorifying their purity, Krishna establishes the spiritual power of saintly persons and their association.
Seek genuine sadhu-saṅga, serve devotees respectfully, and value devotional character over mere “holy tourism,” because real purification comes through contact with sincere bhakti.