VERSE 20

A little study of the Bhagavad Gita, drinking a drop of Ganga Water, a casual worship of Murari-these will save you from debate with Death.

Sri Sankara says: "You will be liberated if you worship Muraari, that is, Govinda, with devotion at least now and then." The great Acharya who had attained the highest wisdom has blended devotion, wisdom and austerities in this stanza. Kinchit adheetaa: read at least a little bit; that is enough, says he. 'Drink just a drop of Ganga water', he says. The Gita too is like Ganga water.

It is enough if a small part of it is read. Is it necessary to drink the entire Ganga? Is it possible to do so? No. Think of Govinda at some moment or other. That is enough. You need not then live in fear of death, says he. The pious Tamil devotees have sung about God in rapture as 'exceedingly accessible to His devotees', 'as one who overlooks the defects and appreciates the virtues', 'as He who cures the ills of those who bow to Him', and 'as He who is sweet like the music of the, veena.'

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