Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
श्रवणाद् दर्शनाद् वापि महापातकिनोऽपि व: । शुध्येरन्नन्त्यजाश्चापि किमु सम्भाषणादिभि: ॥ २५ ॥
śravaṇād darśanād vāpi mahā-pātakino ’pi vaḥ śudhyerann antya-jāś cāpi kim u sambhāṣaṇādibhiḥ
Selbst die schlimmsten Sünder und Ausgestoßenen werden gereinigt, wenn sie nur von euch hören oder euch sehen. Wie viel mehr werden sie sich reinigen, wenn sie direkt mit euch sprechen und Umgang mit euch haben!
FAQs
This verse states that simply hearing about or seeing pure devotees brings purification—even for great sinners—so deeper association like conversation is even more purifying.
Because in the Bhagavata’s bhakti framework, contact with devotees through śravaṇa and darśana is a direct, accessible means of cleansing the heart—especially relevant for people in Kali-yuga.
Regularly hear Bhagavatam from sincere devotees, seek their company (even briefly), and engage respectfully in devotional conversation—these habits steadily purify character and intentions.