King Vena’s Tyranny, the Sages’ Counsel, and the Birth of Niṣāda
एकदा मुनयस्ते तु सरस्वत्सलिलाप्लुता: । हुत्वाग्नीन् सत्कथाश्चक्रुरुपविष्टा: सरित्तटे ॥ ३६ ॥
ekadā munayas te tu sarasvat-salilāplutāḥ hutvāgnīn sat-kathāś cakrur upaviṣṭāḥ sarit-taṭe
एकदा ते मुनयः सरस्वत्याः सलिलेनाप्लुताः सन्तोऽग्निषु हविर्हुत्वा नित्यकर्माणि चक्रुः। ततः सरित्तटे उपविष्टाः परं पुरुषं तद्विलासांश्च सत्कथाभिः समचर्चयन्॥
This verse shows sages completing their Vedic duties and then engaging in sat-kathā—spiritually elevating conversations—indicating that hearing and discussing sacred topics is central to saintly life.
Bathing in a holy river signifies purification and reverence; after cleansing and offering oblations, the sages sit in a sanctified mood fit for discussing dharma and divine topics.
Create time for spiritual conversation—study and discuss Bhagavatam with devotees—ideally after personal discipline and a clean, prayerful routine, even if one cannot perform elaborate rituals.