Text 37] Purafijana Becomes a Woman in the Next Life 1329

tatra—there; candra-vasd—the Candravasa River; nadma—named; tamra-
parni—the Tamraparni River; vatodaka—the Vatodaka River; tat— of those
rivers; punya—pious; salilaih—with the waters; nityam— daily; ubhayatra—
in both ways; atmanah—of himself; mrjan—washing; kanda—bulbs; astibhih
—and by seeds; miila—roots; phalaih—and by fruits; puspa—flowers; parnath
—and by leaves; tmma—grass; udakaih—and by water; vartamanah—subsisting;
Sanaih—gradually; gatra—his body; karsanam—rendering thin; tapah—
austerity ; @sthitah—he underwent.

TRANSLATION

In the province of Kulacala, there were rivers named Candravasa,
Tamraparni and Vatodaka. King Malayadhvaja used to go to those pious
rivers regularly and take his bath there. Thus he purified himself externally
and internally. He took his bath and ate bulbs, seeds, leaves, flowers,
roots, fruits and grasses and drank water. In this way he underwent
severe austerities. Eventually he became very skinny.

PURPORT

We can definitely see that to advance in Krsna consciousness one must
control his bodily weight. If one becomes too fat, it is to be assumed that
he is not advancing spiritually. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
severely criticized his fat disciples. The idea is that one who intends to
advance in Krsna 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
prasdda and no more than required. According to the Vaisnava calendar,
there are many fasts, such as Ekadasi 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.

TEXT 37
Srareraraavifer gferaa Praia |
Sage fe geaaTITAAEa: loll
