Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 36
The Fall of Purañjana and the Supersoul as the Eternal Friend
Purañjana-Upākhyāna Culmination
तत्र चन्द्रवसा नाम ताम्रपर्णी वटोदका । तत्पुण्यसलिलैर्नित्यमुभयत्रात्मनो मृजन् ॥ ३५ ॥ कन्दाष्टिभिर्मूलफलै: पुष्पपर्णैस्तृणोदकै: । वर्तमान: शनैर्गात्रकर्शनं तप आस्थित: ॥ ३६ ॥
tatra candravasā nāma tāmraparṇī vaṭodakā tat-puṇya-salilair nityam ubhayatrātmano mṛjan
ในแคว้นกุฬาจละมีแม่น้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์ชื่อ จันทรวสา ตัมรปัรณี และวโฏทกา พระราชามลยธวชเสด็จไปสรงน้ำที่น้ำนั้นเป็นนิตย์ ชำระตนทั้งภายนอกและภายใน แล้วทรงยังชีพด้วยหัวพืช เมล็ด ใบ ดอก ราก ผล และหญ้า ดื่มแต่น้ำ จึงบำเพ็ญตบะอันเข้มงวดจนพระวรกายผ่ายผอมลงมาก
We can definitely see that to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness one must control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed that he is not advancing spiritually. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who intends to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must not eat very much. Devotees used to go to forests, high hills or mountains on pilgrimages, but such severe austerities are not possible in these days. One should instead eat only prasāda and no more than required. According to the Vaiṣṇava calendar, there are many fasts, such as Ekādaśī and the appearance and disappearance days of God and His devotees. All of these are meant to decrease the fat within the body so that one will not sleep more than desired and will not become inactive and lazy. Overindulgence in food will cause a man to sleep more than required. This human form of life is meant for austerity, and austerity means controlling sex, food intake, etc. In this way time can be saved for spiritual activity, and one can purify himself both externally and internally. Thus both body and mind can be cleansed.
FAQs
This verse explains that bathing in sacred rivers purifies a person not only externally but also internally, supporting spiritual clarity and discipline.
The verse highlights that true spiritual progress requires cleansing the heart and consciousness, not merely performing external rituals.
Along with clean habits and sacred practices, one should cultivate inner cleanliness through sincere prayer, self-control, and devotional remembrance.