Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 6
Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
श्रीभगीरथ उवाच साधवो न्यासिन: शान्ता ब्रह्मिष्ठा लोकपावना: । हरन्त्यघं तेऽङ्गसङ्गात् तेष्वास्ते ह्यघभिद्धरि: ॥ ६ ॥
śrī-bhagīratha uvāca sādhavo nyāsinaḥ śāntā brahmiṣṭhā loka-pāvanāḥ haranty aghaṁ te ’ṅga-saṅgāt teṣv āste hy agha-bhid dhariḥ
Bhagīratha said: Those who are saintly because of devotional service and are therefore in the renounced order, free from material desires, and who are pure devotees, expert in following the regulative principles mentioned in the Vedas, are always glorious and pure in behavior and are able to deliver all fallen souls. When such pure devotees bathe in your water, the sinful reactions accumulated from other people will certainly be counteracted, for such devotees always keep in the core of their hearts the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can vanquish all sinful reactions.
Mother Ganges is available to everyone for bathing. Therefore, not only will sinful persons bathe in the Ganges water, but in Hardwar and other holy places where the Ganges flows, saintly persons and devotees will also bathe in the waters of the Ganges. Devotees and saintly persons advanced in the renounced order can deliver even the Ganges. Tīrthī-kurvanti tīrthāni svāntaḥ-sthena gadābhṛtā ( Bhāg. 1.13.10 ). Because saintly devotees always keep the Lord within the core of their hearts, they can perfectly cleanse the holy places of all sinful reactions. Therefore, people in general must always respectfully honor saintly persons. It is ordered that as soon as one sees a Vaiṣṇava, or even a sannyāsī, one should immediately offer respects to such a holy man. If one forgets to show respect in this way, one must observe a fast for that day. This is a Vedic injunction. One must be extremely careful to refrain from committing offenses at the lotus feet of a devotee or saintly person.
FAQs
This verse says that saintly renunciants remove sin simply by personal association, because Hari—the destroyer of sin—dwells within them.
While seeking the descent of the Gaṅgā for the purification of his ancestors, Bhagīratha emphasizes that the presence of realized saints is itself powerfully purifying, since the Lord resides in them.
Seek regular association with genuine devotees and spiritually steady teachers; their company inspires remembrance of Hari and helps cleanse harmful habits and tendencies.