Shloka 26
Kurukṣetra Pilgrimage: Sages Praise Kṛṣṇa; Vasudeva Inquires on Karma; Viṣṇu-yajña Performed
तस्याद्य ते ददृशिमाङ्घ्रिमघौघमर्ष- तीर्थास्पदं हृदि कृतं सुविपक्वयोगै: । उत्सिक्तभक्त्युपहताशयजीवकोशा आपुर्भवद्गतिमथानुगृहाण भक्तान् ॥ २६ ॥
tasyādya te dadṛśimāṅghrim aghaugha-marṣa- tīrthāspadaṁ hṛdi kṛtaṁ su-vipakva-yogaiḥ utsikta-bhakty-upahatāśaya jīva-kośā āpur bhavad-gatim athānugṛhāna bhaktān
Today we have directly seen Your feet, the source of the sacred Gaṅgā, the holy tīrtha that washes away torrents of sin. Perfected yogīs can only meditate on those feet within the heart; but those who serve You with wholehearted bhakti and thus conquer the soul’s covering—the material mind—attain You as the final destination. Therefore, please show mercy to us, Your devotees.
The holy river Ganges has the power to destroy all sorts of sinful reactions because she originates at the Lord’s lotus feet and thus contains the dust of His feet. Explaining this verse, Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī says, “If the Lord might advise the sages that they need not concern themselves with devotional practices because they are already far advanced in spiritual knowledge and austerity, they hereby respectfully decline such a suggestion, pointing out that only those yogīs who have destroyed their material mind and ego by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa in pure devotional service can attain full perfection. They conclude by praying to the Lord that He favor them in the most merciful way by making them His devotees.”
FAQs
This verse says Kṛṣṇa’s feet destroy floods of sin and are the very shelter of all holy places; simply beholding them awakens overflowing devotion that carries the devotee to the Lord’s own destination.
After meeting Kṛṣṇa again, their love surges; they describe how devotion has broken inner coverings and plead that He continue to bless and protect His devotees.
Keep the Lord’s lotus feet in the heart through sincere remembrance, hearing, and worship; the verse emphasizes that mature devotion purifies the mind and transforms one’s life toward God-centered living.