Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.75

c10.s1.75

The water in the conch-shell (Śaṅkhodaka), sanctified by the sight of the deity, should first be given to the Vaiṣṇavas and then held on his own head by the worshipper. By doing this, he can reap the fruit of a holy bath in the Ganges. He should then offer the Pādodaka (water used for washing the deity's feet) to the Vaiṣṇavas and himself drink it, placing a few drops on his own head. The house, which is daily sanctified by the Pādodaka of the deity, remains free from all sins and calamities. In the eloquent and lengthy series of eulogy of the Pādodaka, culled from the different Śāstras, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa remarks in conclusion that it is possible to count the waves of sea, but it is not possible to exhaust the enumeration of the endless virtues of the divine Pādodaka. It is added that the Pādodaka mixed with the sacred leaves of the Tulasi is specially efficacious.