God and Water - The Element of Divine Pastimes
Water is not merely a combination of chemical elements; it is a divine energy intimately connected to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that water serves as the cosmic resting place for the Lord, the stage for His magnificent incarnations, and an essential ingredient for expressing pure devotional service.
The Cosmic Resting Place
Before the planets are populated, the universe is filled with the waters of creation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Lord expands as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who is celebrated as Nārāyaṇa precisely because He lies down upon this vast expanse of universal water.
- The form of Garbhodakasayi Visnu is called Narayana because He rests Himself on that water. In addition, He is the resting place of all living creatures. Besides that, Narayana is also present in everyone's heart, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita.
- He (Garbhodakasayi Visnu) is lying within the half of the universe which is full with the water of His body.
- Beneath the entire planetary system is the garbha water. Lord Visnu lies on this garbha water, and from His abdomen a lotus stem grows, and all the planets within the universe are floating in the air, being supported by this lotus stem.
- The Personality of Godhead who creates all such universes by His breathing period lies above the cluster of the universes. The water of the Causal Ocean is differently situated than the covering water of the universe.
The Arena for Incarnations
Water frequently serves as the dynamic setting for the Lord's extraordinary descents into the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Supreme Personality of Godhead assumes forms such as the giant boar and the fish specifically to perform wonderful pastimes within the planetary and cosmic waters.
- Diving into the water like a giant mountain, Lord Boar divided the middle of the ocean, and two high waves appeared as the arms of the ocean, which cried loudly as if praying to the Lord, "O Lord please do not cut me in two! Kindly give me protection!"
- In His incarnation as Lord Boar, He raised the planet earth from the water at the bottom of the universe and kept it on His pointed tusks. May that Lord protect me from rogues on the street.
- Sukadeva Gosvami said: When King Satyavrata spoke in this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who at the end of the yuga had assumed the form of a fish to benefit His devotee and enjoy His pastimes in the water of inundation, responded as follows.
- Lord Ramacandra constructed a bridge over the water with stone by making the stone float. This is proof of God's uncommonly wonderful power.
Water in Devotional Service
The Supreme Lord is fully satisfied by the loving intention behind an offering, regardless of its material value. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is so magnanimous that He will accept even a simple offering of water if it is presented by His devotee with genuine affection.
- In Bhagavad-gita the Lord has expressed His willingness to accept fruit, flowers, leaves, and water from His devotee when they have been offered to Him in devotional affection.
- One should bathe the Lord with water in which nicely scented flowers have been soaking for some time. (16) After bathing the body of the Lord with water, one should bathe Him with milk. (17) Then one should bathe Him with yogurt.
- The Lord should be seated on the throne. (46) Again water should be given for the washing of His feet. (47) Something again should be offered for eating. (48) Evening arati should be offered.
- Caranamrta is obtained in the morning while the Lord is being washed before dressing. Scented with perfumes and flowers, the water comes gliding down through His lotus feet and is collected and mixed with yogurt.
The Provider of Life
Water is the fundamental necessity for the survival of all species on earth. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that ungrateful human beings who freely consume God's gifts, like water and sunlight, without recognizing the supreme provider or offering thanks, are simply acting as thieves.
- He (the Lord) is by nature merciful toward us, despite our rebellious attitude. Even in our rebellious condition we get all our necessities from Him, such as food, air, light, water, warmth, and coolness.
- Even in our rebellious condition we get all our necessities from Him (the Lord), such as food, air, light, water, warmth, and coolness. Yet because we have detached ourselves from Him, we simply mismanage this paternal property.
- They (ungrateful persons) enjoy the sunshine and moonshine, and they get water free of charge, yet they do not feel grateful, but simply go on enjoying these gifts of the Lord. Therefore, they must be called thieves and rogues.
- The water is sometimes explained to be the perspiration and sometimes the semen of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is from water that all living entities emerge, and because of water they live and grow. If there were no water, all life would cease.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully reveals that water is fundamentally inseparable from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. On a cosmic scale, water serves as the divine resting place for Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who is appropriately named Nārāyaṇa because He lies upon the vast garbha ocean from which the entire universe is generated. Furthermore, water acts as the grand stage for some of the Lord's most spectacular descents. Whether He is diving into the depths as Lord Varāha to rescue the earth, playfully swimming as Lord Matsya during the universal inundation, or demonstrating His inconceivable power by making stones float for Lord Rāmacandra, the Supreme Lord asserts His absolute mastery over this element. In the realm of pure devotion, water becomes a medium of profound loving exchange; the Lord happily accepts even a simple cup of water when offered with unalloyed affection, and the water that washes His lotus feet (caraṇāmṛta) becomes supremely purifying. Ultimately, water is an absolutely free and vital gift from the Supreme Father. Those who constantly utilize this necessity of life without feeling gratitude or rendering service to Kṛṣṇa are heavily rebuked as thieves, while the devotees recognize water as a constant reminder of God's omnipresent mercy and maintaining power.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category God and Water. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.