Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.13-14

tapasā brahmacaryeṇa
śamena ca damena ca
tyāgena satya-śaucābhyāṁ
yamena niyamena vā
deha-vāg-buddhijaṁ dhīrā
dharmajñāḥ śraddhayānvitāḥ
kṣipanty aghaṁ mahad api
veṇu-gulmam ivānalaḥ

“Austerity or one-pointed attention, exclusive celibacy, subjugation of the internal and external senses, charity, truthful speech, cleanliness, sensual discipline (yama) headed by nonviolence, mental regulation (niyama) headed by regular utterance or concentration on mantras – by the strength of such practices, faithful liberationists (jnanis) who know the mysteries of religion drive away even the most grievous sins committed in thought, word or deed, as bamboo clusters are destroyed by fire.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.13-14)

The landscape may be clear for a whole year but next year, with the coming of the rainy season, many shrubs will inevitably sprout again. But the type of purity we shall attain when coming in connection with the service of Vasudeva, Sri Krsna, is of eternal factor and peculiarly purest nature. We cannot hope to attain this by any other method than our submission to, and acceptance of, the service of Lord Sri Krsna, Reality the Beautiful.

Explanation to the verse adapted from; Srila B.R. Sridhara Maharaja, ‘Sermons of the Guardian of Devotion’ vol I

Written by Sankarshan Das