Newsletter #009 Oct issue 2005

For Silas and Their sevaks
http://www.salagram.net/Sri-Shaligram-Tirtha.htm
mirrored @
http://www.hknet.org.nz/Sri-Shaligram-Tirtha.htm

http://www.silas.alturl.com
or
http://silas.areCool.net

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The Nectar in this Issue

Intro'
Editorial:
Festivals Coming  -
Feature Article - The Psychology of Food
Modes of Worship:
About the web-site: What's there - how to utilize it.......
New Entries on the Web-site..... quite a few since the last newsletter - updates
SEARCH for Ishthadevatas and Devotees on the site world-wide......
Please Visit the ARTICLES pages - there's much information to relish there
Vaishnava Calendar - Panjika
The Glories of Prasadam - some nice information from Shastra - scripture, heaps of shlokas
Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on some considerations of Prasadam - article
Words of encouragement & quotes from HDG on the topic - prasadam
quotes from Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad on all aspects of prasadam
(preparation, offering, honouring, distributing etc) most coming via Hari Sauri prabhu ACBSP

Sila & Prasad katha - Swadhyaya - glorifying the Lord and His prasadam
What is the need for offering foodstuffs to the Lord? What is the purpose of honouring mahaprasada?
                                                 by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur

The Great Benefit of coming in contact with Devotional Service.
                                            by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

The Story of Narada Muni and how he became so......

The 64 Principles of Devotion found in Narad Bhakti Sutra

Naivedya: Food Offered To The Lord

Sri Narada Purana, Uttara-bhaga

Quotes from Brahma-vaivarta Purana

Offering Respects to Krsna Prasadam

Food for Life: in Theory and Practice by Krishna Dharma dasa

Akshaya Patra program - Unlimited Food For Life

The Effect from taking Krishna Prasadam from Babhru dasa ACBSP

Prasada seva in the Sri Vaishnava tradition of South India

Stories from Sri Narada Pancha Ratram

Sri Raghavendra Tirtha Swami "Rayaru's" Miracles:

It once happened @ Mantralayam

The Glories of Sri Satyabodha Tirtha Swami

Kanaka Dâsa of the Haridasaru bhaktas of Karnataka

Present Day Miracles of Prasadam
Correspondence
- A few nice links from Ekendra prabhu CHCH

- Some great places to purchase your puja paraphernalia on-line
Advertisements for Salagram friendly sites
Pilgrimage to the top of the world - Damodar Kunda
Newsletters On-line

Wishing Everyone a Safe & Happy 2005 (519 Gaurabda)
Outro'& Thanx

“The characteristics of the Deities should be discussed, as well as the characteristics of the Shalagrama-shila. You should also discuss visiting the Deities in the temple and touring holy places like Vrindavana, Mathura and Dvaraka."

 (Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila 24:335. text - 61 Explanations of Atmarama verse)

"In the material world also, wherever the Supreme Lord is personally present is to be understood as being the spiritual world. For example, the Lord is worshipped in the temple by pure devotees. The Temple is therefore to be understood as being the spiritual world." (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.11.26 Purport)

"The Lord in the temple in the worshipable form is never to be considered to be made of stone or wood, for the Lord in His arca incarnation as the Deity in the temple shows immense favor to the fallen souls by His auspicious presence. By the hearing process, as mentioned hereinbefore, this realization of the presence of the Lord in the temple is made possible."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.3.21, Purport)

Hare Krishna
Namaskaragalu - Vanakkam - G'day

Please accept my respectful obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupad, All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga,All glories to all the Vaishnava devotees of the Lord

Chari Vaishnava sampradaya ki jaya

Sri Swayam-vyakta Shaligram Sila, Dwaraka Sila, Govardhan Sila ki jaya

Welcome to what we hope to be the eighth of many newsletters. The present plan is to attempt to maintain the site nicely and keep updating with new information and pictures and additions to help enthuse everyone, and use this newsletter to help keep everyone informed about that. With my other various services we figured that Quarterly would be a feasible beginning, so we are looking at April - July - Sept - Dec for now.

So we went a bit off from that with unforeseeable situations occuring, my having to be away from my system for a few months and losing my old faithful computer's contents to hacker's attacks. Then my son paid for me to go to India with him, so there was another couple of months away, but wow was it worth it all.

Yes, it has been a rather eventful year with many things happening. We have experienced many new things, learned many new things, welcomed many new friends, and met some old ones too - as some wise sage once said "There are no strangers, only friends we have yet to meet !" So that has become manifest as many devotees unknown to me previously wrote in and sent pictures of their worshiful Lords. We too by the mercy of the Lord and His devotees have received a few new additions to try to render some seva to.

As Krishna consciousness is ever expanding and ever deepening we would like to expand this service to you all so as to receive your blessings. Therefore we very much welcome constructive feedback to further assist the development of the site and newsletter services - always open to that.

Sri Krishnarpanamastu - respectfully in the service of the Lord.

yhs, JTCd

...Editorial:

In this Shaligram Tirtha Pradarshini newsletter we would like to present a practical formula that can be universally proven simply by following the process again and again under a laboratory tested environment. Sounds a bit scientific? Actually it is scientific. What we are presenting here is the science of bhakti through the mercy of the Lord - prasadam.

Some hear of stories of the wonders or miracles of devotional feats from history as legends or even mythology. It's not their fault, they just don't know. The science of prasadam is every bit as tangible for those who receive it as the warning we might give that if you touch fire it has a burning effect. The burning effect is not a matter of debate, that it may or may not take place, it's scientifically proven that if you touch fire, as fire is surcharged with the heating principle, that it burns what it contacts.

Some might say that this is all a matter of faith. The fact is that faith also is a very scientific thing. If one follows the process of devotional service and avoids the various offenses along the way in the association of like minded devotees and applied the teachings of certified professors then the required results will be achieved. This formula can be repeated or reproduced again and again, and is being so in temples and homes all over the world today, it is therefore scientifically proven. A the late great Bhakta George Harrison wrote in his preface to Krsna Book "The proof of the pudding is in the eating". Simply if we follow the recipe for success the end result be the same.

Years ago I used to assist Kurma prabhu on his cooking classes at Melbourne University, in Australia. He would show the many who used to come how to prepare various preparations and they would all get to taste the end product at the end of the class. He would often set the assignment for them to go home and try to recreate the preparation themselves. To varying decrees they would report their success, "But it didn't taste exactly the same as yours, it wasn't as nice". We would ask if they offered their preparation to Krishna with Love and Devotion, and found that they'd missed out one of the primary ingredients LND (Love aNd Devotion). Any experiment has to be followed exactly to have the same result, isn't it? That is science.

What inspired me to address this topic at this time is that presently all over the world people are observing World Vegetarian Day (October 1st every year) and also World Vegetarian Awareness Month of October, during which there are other days of importance to Vegans and Vegetarians and Animal Activists alike, which is all better than exploiting other poor living beings simply to satisfy the lusty nature of the tongue. Still Vegetarianism in itself isn't quite enough to turn the negative reactions of our usurping items and facilities meant for the service of God, and more than if we compare being a small thief with being a big thief. Both are thieving that which is meant for the service of the proprietor, God.

We are hoping through this newsletter it will help to inspire all of us to somehow share this wonderful science that we have been given access to with all and sundry to our capacity. So doing other parts of the science will also be revealed to us as we do it. If anyone doubts me, take up the challenge, see if the formula works simply by applying the process, in all humility I guarantee no-one will be disappointed.

Just as we are typing this our next door neighbor came to the door, nice people, teachers at the local school. Rachel said they are going away for a few days and asked if we could clear their mailbox, to which I agreed. She gave a few heads of broccoli that were sitting in her garden that she didn't want to be wasted or go to seed, which we gratefully accepted. "....before you go, I've got something for you too !" and I rushed inside to grab a bag of Salagram maha-prasadam that we keep handy for such events. I handed it over and she was blown away at the variety and opulence of all that was in the bag. "Exchange is no robbery" I lightheartedly said, "Looks like we got the better of the deal though" she said as she left. Little does she know how true that is.

Anyway, so after all this talk of prasadam I'm off to serve and take prasadam too, hungry work this putting newsletters together. I hope that this newsletter slakes your thirst/hunger also.

Festivals Coming Soon

Rama-Vijay Dasami - Victory of Lord Ramachandra
13th October 2005 in NZ


Appearance of Sri Radha Kunda - Snan daan

Kartik Vrata & Festivals of Kartika

Kartika mahatmya from 16th chapter Hari Bhakti Vilasa

All manner of inspiring nectar regarding Kartika vrat - what to do and the benefits thereof........


Diwali - Dipadan - Dipavali
2nd November 2005 in NZ

Akash-dipam - offering lamps all month long

The Glories of Offering Many Lamps During the Month of Kärttika
In the Skanda Puräëa it is said:
"A person who lights many lamps inside and outside Lord Viñëu's temple becomes a liberated soul. Holding a diñk and conch, he attains a spiritual form like Lord Viñëu's.

Worship of Govardhan Hill

Govardhan puja & Annakut mahotsav
Thursday 3rd November 2005 in NZ

The Disappearance Anniversary Day of
HDG Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

(1896-1977 - 14th Nov 1977)
Sunday 6th November 2005 in NZ
http://www.hknet.org.nz/calendar-SP-dis.htm


Sri Tulasi-Shaligram Vivaha - Marriage
Wednesday 16th November 2005 in NZ

Advent of Bhagavad Gita - Mokshada Ekadasi
12th December 2005 in NZ

Free Downloadable Vaishnava Reminder for your Desktop
This Vaishnava Calendar Reminder is so simple, so nice and so practical
It has a huge data base of Towns to choose from, and facility to add towns too.
This can be used in conjunction with all other software and URLs mentioned above.

"This software aimed to be a personal information manager of anyone in Krishna's devotee community. Did you ever miss Ekadasi? With Vaishnava Reminder it will not be so easy - it alerts you about fasting days. Also it has built-in vaishnava calendar generator, to-do tasks, custom events, diary and panchang. And it is 100% free - just visit http://www.vreminder.tk and download it. It quietly sits in the system tray and alerts you when needed."

Vaisnava Reminder v.0.501a setup - 520 kb
http://vreminder.gauranga.in/setup-vr0501a.zip

Once you've downloaded it and installed it, you'll never want to be without it.

...Feature Article:

(To view some of the texts on this newsletter you will need to have the Balaram font installed on your system. You can download it for free HERE and then go to Start, settings, control panel and Fonts and Install New Fonts)

The Psychology of Food
http://www.ffl.org/html/psychology_of_food.html

The Bhagavad gita states that all foods can be classified  according to the three modes of material nature - goodness, passion, and ignorance. These modes (or characteristics of the material energy) directly influence our mind, body, and  intelligence. The subtle influence of these modes are sometimes compared to the strings of a pupeteer, and they bind and manipulate our senses, causing us to act in ways we sometimes later regret. The Bhagavad gita also states, however, that the soul is not completely helpless -- we do have a choice -- for we are eternally individual beings with a minute degree of independence. The quality of those choices, therefore, directly effects the manner in which the "strings" of the material energy manipulate our destiny. Here Lord Krishna describes the results of eating under the influence of the mode of goodness:

Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one's existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart. (Bhagavad gita 17.8)

The Bhagavad gita further states that vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, sugar, and milk products are foods  in the mode of goodness and may be offered in sacrifice, or in other words: they can be transformed and purified of all karma.

yagya-sishtasinah santo
muchyante sarva-kilbishai
bhunjate te tv agham papa
ye pacanty atma-karanat

The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first  for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
(Bhagavad-gita 3.13)

 Foods that cannot be used in sacrifice, or as offerings to the Lord, are described thus:

 Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.
(Bhagavad-gita 17.9)

 Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.
( Bhagavad-gita 17.10)

Srila Prabhupada comments:

 Foods in the mode of passion, which are bitter, too salty, or too hot or overly mixed with red pepper, cause misery by reducing the mucus in the stomach, leading to disease. Foods in the mode of  ignorance or darkness are essentially those that are not fresh. Any food cooked more than three hours before it is eaten (except prasadam, food offered to the Lord) is considered to be in the mode of darkness. Because they are decomposing, such foods give a bad odor, which often attracts people in this mode but repulses those in the mode of goodness... The best food is the remnants of what is  offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead... Therefore to make food antiseptic, eatable and palatable for all persons, one should offer food to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 As a general rule, foods in the modes of passion and ignorance are not offerable to God (Krishna), because such eatables "cause pain, distress and disease" and are "putrid, decomposed and unclean."  As may be guessed, meat, fish, and eggs are foods in the lower modes. But there are also a few vegetarian items that are classified in the lower modes - garlic and onions*, for example. They cannot  be offered in sacrifice, since these foods are sexually agitating and impure, and they directly interfere with the ultimate purpose of eating sanctified foods: to increase the duration of life, purify the mind, aid bodily strength and reestablish our union (yoga) with the supreme.

 * (Hing, sometimes called asafetida, is an acceptable substitute for them in cooking and is available in most Oriental or Indian specialty shops.)

Bhagavad gita quotations © Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.
 

yajante sättvikä devän
yaksha-rakshämsi räjasäh
pretän bhüta-ganämsh chänye
yajante tämasä janäh

"Men in the mode of goodness worship the demigods; those in the mode of passion worship the demons;
and those in the mode of ignorance worship ghosts and spirits." Bhagavad Gita 17:4.

Worshipping the Supreme Lord (visuddha sattwam) and the Devas (sattwa guna), worshipping powerful humans or demons (raja guna), worshipping ancestors and ghosts (tamo guna) - worship according to different modes of nature of the sadhaka.

"Those who are situated in goodness generally worship the demigods. The demigods include Brahmä, Çiva and others such as Indra, Candra and the sun-god. There are various demigods. Those in goodness worship a particular demigod for a particular purpose. Similarly, those who are in the mode of passion worship the demons. We recall that during the Second World War a man in Calcutta worshiped Hitler because thanks to that war he had amassed a large amount of wealth by dealing in the black market. Similarly, those in the modes of passion and ignorance generally select a powerful man to be God. They think that anyone can be worshiped as God and that the same results will be obtained.
            Now, it is clearly described here that those who are in the mode of passion worship and create such gods, and those who are in the mode of ignorance, in darkness, worship dead spirits. Sometimes people worship at the tomb of some dead man. Sexual service is also considered to be in the mode of darkness. Similarly, in remote villages in India there are worshipers of ghosts. We have seen that in India the lower-class people sometimes go to the forest, and if they have knowledge that a ghost lives in a tree, they worship that tree and offer sacrifices. These different kinds of worship are not actually God worship. God worship is for persons who are transcendentally situated in pure goodness. In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam (4.3.23) it is said, sattvaà viçuddhaà vasudeva-çabditam: “When a man is situated in pure goodness, he worships Väsudeva.” The purport is that those who are completely purified of the material modes of nature and who are transcendentally situated can worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Bhagavad Gita AS IT IS 17:4. purport.)

We have started this web-site and news-letter for the purpose of sharing inspiration among like minded devotees, with a like interest in serving the Lord. On the www.salagram.net/ site there are many topics all referenced to shastra with the express purpose of helping us all over the world to have Sadhu-sanga http://www.salagram.net/sstp-sadhusanga.html So we have tried to create a sacred place in Cyber-space where devotees can find refuge, can associate, gain inspiration, share inspiration, hence it is Shaligram Tirtha, a Holy Tirtha in Cyber-space. Some of you may have noticed the Warning........ it seems appropriate to some of us it be there as many devotees were feeling they didn't want to express themselves or reveal their "bhav" least people who had no such appreciation might misunderstand - misinterpret - criticise what they saw or read due to their own vision/motivation/agenda. So following the advice of shastra we are keeping our Ishthadevas hidden while sharing mutual appreciation found in rendering some small service to the Lord.

Those of you who haven't visited the site recently, or for the many new persons on the mailing list, you will find transcendental pleasure that there are so many resources and articles, all of which you are welcome to download or copy for your personal use and to inspire others. If however you find a published article there that you would like to publish or if you have a site or some media whereby you would like to on-share with others just check with me to see who holds the legal copywrite if none are mentioned, as we don't want to offend anyone, or do anything illegal, even with our zealousness to share nectar.

If you find any inspirational articles, or items, or pictures relevant to this site please feel free to send them to us. Please include all available references and details so that everything can be appreciated fully by all.

If for some reason http://www.salagram.net/Sri-Shaligram-Tirtha.htm isn't working or available then please go to the mirror site http://www.hknet.org.nz/Sri-Shaligram-Tirtha.htm - and please remember to save these URLs in your Favorites (IE) or Hotlist (Opera) Bookmarks (Netscape).

...
Latest Updates & Additions @ A Glance
http://www.salagram.net/sstp-NEW.html

last updated 25  September 2005

In this section you can see all the latest additions, new picture updates of all the various devotees and Silas on the site.

Recently we had the great good fortune for our son to buy me a ticket to go with him to India, he took his digital camera too, so we went on the hunt for Salagrams and Govardhan silas. We had so much fun especially in and around Vrindavan. There's lots of new "Eyes Candy" for you all, as well as devotees we met, and even our own humble page.

We keep this NEW & Updates page separate from the main SEARCH page so that regular nectar loving bees can quickly find their sweet flavoured source in what/Who has been recently added to the site. SEARCH and ARTICLES links and all other pages are also updated simultaneously.

for Isthadevatas and Devotees on the site
http://www.salagram.net/sstp-SEARCH4devs.html

"There are no strangers, only friends we are yet to meet" (unknown author)

To all those devotees who are receivers of this first newsletter; if you still haven't sent in photos or introductory descriptions or stories for the Sila in your care, that's okay, time is not out, you can still send. We are continuously updating the pages, so your sending pictures etc is never too late. Please send.

If you have Photoshop please "save for web" to keep the size down, but if you don't have that too is okay, just send, I can "save for web" also, if that will help. If you don't have a scanner that too is no problem, please send me an e-mail and I'll give you the address where you can post (snail-mail) your photographs, and there's always disposable Fuji cameras if things get really tough...... Please also view the article by Param Seva prabhu http://www.salagram.net/sstp-HELP.html

...Please Visit the  pages
http://www.salagram.net/sstp-ARTICLES.html

As the late Bhakta George Harrison so nicely put it in the preface of the Krsna Book, "The proof of the pudding is in the eating", so please go to the Articles section and make good use of all the links there. There's so much information and we hope and pray that you find it as useful as we have. =>:-))

This section has to be seen to be believed. We have tried, and had much success to find articles on almost every aspect of Shalagram seva pujan. All articles are clearly marked and ready for your perusal. We trust this serves you in this seva well.

http://www.salagram.net/sstp-ARTICLES.html

last updated 25th September 2005

The Interactive Vaishnava Calendar page of Fasts, Festivals, Functions and Feasts 
http://www.hknet.org.nz/CalendarWhosWho-page.htm ( http://panjika.pagehere.com/ )

Now you can view the FULL years 1999-2000 & 2000-2001 & 2001-2002 & 2002-2003 & 2003-2004 & 2004-2005 & 2005-2006.
All Calendar entries are explained - Appearance or Disappearance days, festivals, fasts, feasts, etc., for the Iskcon Gaudiya line

For notification of events, such as ekadasi and major festival you might like to also receive the New Zealand Hare Krishna Spiritual Resource network newsletter. You can also view those newsletters current and archived on-line and join the mailing list HERE.

Vaishnava Calendar maker for your region - on-line:
http://www.iskcondc.org/cgi-bin/vcalndx.pl

Understanding the Festivals on the Vrindavan Calendar
http://www.naturalnirvana.com/Braja-Mandala/Braja-Mandal-Files/Braja-Vrindavan-Festivals.htm

Receive reminders of festivals and ekadasis
http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info

If, knowingly or unknowingly, or out of the association with the saints or out of good fortune, any person eats the food offered to Sri Krsna, the God, the Supreme Spirit, he becomes freed of all his sins and goes to Goloka on a divine chariot (the higher vehicle) or to any other region if he likes so.

O child! Listen; there is an ancient anecdote on this point well-worth-hearing, beautiful and leading to the highly excellent Mukti (liberation).

There was a Brahman of Kanouj doing the office of a priest in the village Suksubdha, subsisting upon the offerings made to the images which he attends, driving the bulls, very stupid and awfully sinful.

Note : Suksubdha means also afraid, distracted.

Never did he do, knowingly or dreamingly, any virtuous act or worship Sri Krsna; he used not also to see, converse or make friends with the devotees of Sri Krsna.

Now owing to a little of his past good Karma, a rare good opportunity came to him for a while; he ate a portion of the food, (Naivedyam) offered to Sri Krsna.

Seeing a little such Naivedyam lying on the roadside his boy ate that, due to the good deeds of his father; and the father, the above Brahman also got a little of the remnant of that Naivedya already eaten by another Vaisnava.

Washing those grains of rice for a long time from dirt and dust, that Brahmana ate that; though worn out and wasted, it appeared as good food to him.

But the Brahmana, out-of haste, mixed his remnant with Sri Krsna's Naivedyam and ate that; the remnant was found lying on the Naivedyam.

And his good son too, was very much hungry and ate that also. Both then returned home. Then the Brahman's chaste wife took whatever was left of that Naivedyam.

Thus, the Brahmin's wife became pure and holy; and through each other's connection, that Brahmana and his son became Jivanmukta (liberated whilst living.)

Now once on an occassion that Brahmana who ate a portion of Sri Krsna's Naivedyam was eaten up by a tiger; on account of this merit that tiger went to Goloka along with that Brahman and his son. His chaste wife died a sati and she also went along with them to the region of  Goloka.

Here ends the second chapter of Sri Narada Pancha Ratram in the first Ratra on eulogizing Sri Krsna's Naivedyam in course of a dialogue between Brahma and Sanatkumara.

Kindly sent in by Gaura Keshava prabhu ACBSP.

Every devotee has their favorite stories about taking or distributing prasadam, and the stories are often just as, if not more relishable than the tasty morsels of Bhagavat prasadam themselves. Krishna consciousness is such a dynamic force that even such a simple thing as eating one can experience and relish Krishna in His All Attractive form.

In this particular newsletter we are trying to share some of these experiences from the past and present to inspire us all into further appreciation of Bhagavat prasadam for the future, and future generations. Such is the potency of prasadam.

With no more ado: sarira avidya jal.........

Prasada sevaya - Songs for the Honoring of Spiritual Food (from Gitavali) part one (this first song should be sung before honoring the Lord's prasada)

1) bhai-re!
sarira abidya-jal,  jodendriya tahe kal,
  jibe phele bisaya-sagore
ta'ra madhye jihva ati,  lobhamoy sudurmati
ta'ke jeta kathina somsare

2)   krsna baro doyamoy,  karibare jihva jay,
swa-prasad-anna dilo bhai
sei annamrta khao,   radha-krsna-guna gao,
preme dako caitanya-nitai

To hear and learn these prayers:

"O brothers!  This material body is a place of ignorance, and the senses are a network of paths to death.  The senses throw the soul into this ocean of material sense enjoyment and, of all the senses, the tongue is most voracious and uncontrol-lable;  it is very difficult to conquer the tongue in this world.  O brothers!  Lord Krsna is very kind to us and has given us such nice prasada, just to control the tongue.  Now let us take this prasada to our full satisfaction and glorify Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha and Krsna and, in love, call for the help of Lord Caitanya and Prabhu Nityananda."

1) bhai-re!
ek-dina santipure, prabhu advaitera ghare,
dui prabhu bhojane bosilo
sak kori' asvadana, prabhu bole bhakta-gana,
ei sak krsna asvadilo

2)  heno sak-asvadane,  krsna-prema dise mane,
sei preme koro asvadana
jada-buddhi pari-hari', prasada bhojana kori',
'hari hari' bolo sarva-jan

"O brothers!  One day at Santipura, in Sri Advaita's house, Lord Caitanya and Nityananda were seated at prasada.  When Lord Caitanya tasted the green vegetables, He said, 'My devotees, this sak is so delicious!  Lord Krsna has definitely tasted it.  At the taste of such sak as this, love of Krsna arises in the heart.  In such love of God you should take this prasada.  Giving up all materialistic conceptions and taking the Lord's prasada, all of you just chant 'Hari! Hari!'"

1) bhai-re!
sacir angane kabhu, madhavendra-puri prabhu,
prasadanna koren bhojana
khaite khaite ta'ra, ailo prema sudurbar
bole, suno sannyasirf gana

2) moca-ghanta phula-bari, dali-dalna-caccari,
saci-mata korilo randhana
ta'ra suddha bhakti heri', bhojana korilo hari,
sudha-sama e anna-byanjana

3) joge jogi pay jaha, bhoge aj ha'be taha
'hari boli' khao sabe bhai
krsnera prasad-anna, tri-jagat kore dhanya,
tripurari nace jaha pai'

"O brothers!  Whenever Madhavendra Puri took prasada in the courtyard of Mother Saci, uncontrollable ecstatic symptoms of love of God overwhelmed him while he ate.  O assembled sannyasis, just listen to this.  Mother Saci cooked and prepared semi-solid preparations made with banana flowers, a special dahl preparation, baskets of fruits, small square cakes made of lentils and cooked-down milk and many other varieties of prasada.  Seeing her pure devotion, Lord Krsna personally ate all these different vegetable preparations, which were just like nectar.  All the results the mystic obtains in the execution of yoga will be obtained today in the taking of the prasada of the Lord.  O brothers!  Everyone simply eat the prasada of Lord Hari and chant His holy name.  The entire universe glorifies and praises the prasada of Lord Krsna.  Obtaining that prasada, Lord Siva dances in great joy."

1) bhai-re!
sri-caitanya nityananda, srivasadi bhakta-brnda,
gauridasa panditer ghare
luci,cini khir, sar,  mithai, payas,ara,
pitha-pana asvadan kore

2) mahaprabhu bhakta-gane,  parama-ananda-mane
ajna dilo korite bhojana
krsnera prasad-anna, bhojane ho-iya dhanya
'krsna' boli' dake sarva-jan

"O brothers!  Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, along with all Their devotees headed by Srivasa Thakura, relish and taste different varieties of prasada at the home of Gauridasa Pandita.  They are taking puris made with white flour and sugar, khir, solid cream collected over yogurt, sweetmeats, sweet rice and many kinds of cakes and condensed milk preparations.  Mahaprabhu, Sri Krsna Caitanya, gave the order to all His devotees, in whose minds there was transcendental bliss, to eat the prasada of the Lord.  Becoming very ecstatic by eating the prasada of the Lord, everyone chanted 'Krsna!  Krsna!'"

1) bhai-re!
ek-din nilacale,   prasad-sevana-kale,
mahaprabhu sri-krsna-caitanya
bolilen bhakta-gane, khecaranna suddha-mane,
seva kori' hao aj dhanya

2)  khecaranna pitha-pana  apurba prasad n(?)a,
jagannatha dilo toma sabe
akantha bhojana kori', bolo mukhe 'hari (?),
abidya-durita nahi ra'be

3)  jagannatha-prasadanna, birinci-sambhur m(?)a,
khaile prema ho-ibe udoy
emana durlabha dhana,   paiyacho sarva-jana
jaya jaya jagannatha jaya

"O brothers!  One day in Jagannatha Puri, at the time of honouring the Lord's prasada, Lord Caitanya said to all the devotees, 'Honouring the khichuri of the Lord with a pure mind, may you become blessed on this day.  Lord Jagannatha gave to all of you varieties of extraordinary and wonderful prasada, such as khichuri and many kinds of cakes and condensed milk preparations.  Therefore, take all of this prasada till you are filled up to the neck and chant 'Hari! Hari!'  In such a transcendental atmosphere ignorance and sin will not remain.  This prasada of Lord Jagannatha is even worshipable for Lord Brahma and Lord Siva.  Upon eating it, love of God will certainly arise within the heart.  All of you have obtained such a rarely obtained treasure.  All glories, all glories, all glories to Lord Jagannatha.'"

1) bhai-re!
rama-krsna gocarane,  jaiben dura bane,
eta cinti' jasoda-rohini
khir, sar, chana, nani, du'jane khaowano ani',
batsalye ananda mane gani'
bayasya rakhala-gane, khay rama-krsna-sane,
nace gay ananda-antare
krsner prasad khay, udara bhoriya jay,
'ara deo' 'ara deo' kare

"O brothers!  One day Mother Yasoda and Mother Rohini were thinking:  'Today our two boys Balarama and Krsna will go to a forest to tend Their cows.'  Thus contemplating in such ecstasy of parental affection, they prepared a wonderful feast for the two boys consisting of khir, solid cream collected over yogurt, curd and fresh yellow butter.  All the cowherd boyfriends took lunch with Balarama and Krsna and danced and sang in ecstasy within their hearts.  They all ate the remnants of Krsna's lunch and filled up their bellies saying, 'Give us more, give us more!'"

mahA-prasAde govinde nAma-brahmaNi vaiSNave
svalpa-puNya-vatAM rAjan vizvAso naiva jAyate

O king, for those with little pious credit, faith in mahA-prasAda, SrI Govinda, the holy name, and the VaiSNavas never arises. [MahAbhArata]

HONOURING THE LORD'S PRASADA

One should respect the prasada of the Lord by first offering one's obeisances to it, then singing its glories, then chanting the maha-mantra and uttering the prema-dvani to the spiritual master, acaryas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Radha-Krsna and all the assembled Vaisnavas.

The Glorification of the Lord's Prasada

naivedyam jagadisasya
anna-panadikam ca yat
bhaksyabhaksya-vicaras ca
nasti tad-bhaksane dvijah

brahmavan-nirvikaram hi
yatha visnus tathaiva tat
vikaram ye prakurvanti
bhaksane tad dvijatayah

kustha-vyadhi-samayuktah
putra-dara-vivarjitah
nirayam yanti te vipras
tasman navartate punah

"O brahmanas, in the eating of food such as rice and water, etc., which has been tasted by the Lord of the universe, Sri Krsna, there is no consideration of whether it is eatable or uneatable.  Just as Lord Visnu is spiritual and is not subject to mundane transformation, so in the same way His prasada is spiritual and untransformable.  Those brahmanas, who consider that in the eating of visnu-prasada there is some mundane transformation of its spiritual qualities and thus it can become contaminated by contact with someone's mouth or hands, become afflicted with leprosy, become bereft of their sons and wife, and go to hell, never again to return from that place."  (Visnu Purana)

yagya-sishtasinah santo
muchyante sarva-kilbishai
bhunjate te tv agham papa
ye pacanty atma-karanat

The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first  for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin. (Bhagavad-gita 3.13)

YAT KINCID ALPAM NAIVEDYAM BHAKTA BHAKTI RASAPLUTAM
PRATI BHOJAYATI SRI SASTAD DATRN SVASUKHAM DRTAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/195 from HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very satisfied even if very minute food if offered to him by a devotee with full devotion and at once He gives full happiness to the offerer.

YAD ANANDA KALAM GAYAN BHAKTAH PUNYA ASRU VARSATI
TAT SARVVA TIRTHA-SALILA SNANAM SVAMALA SODHANAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 8/273 from HARI BHAKTI SUDDHODAYA)

 Devoted devotees, while singing for the Supreme Lord with a choked throat, with hairs standing on end, or with tears from their eyes like rain, they burn their acquired sins, and achieve the merit of bathing in all the places of pilgrimage.

APAVITRA YADANNAM SYAT PANIYAN CAPI PAPINAM
BHUKTVA PITVA VISUDDHAH SYAT PITVA PADODAKAM HAREH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/50 from BRAHMANDA PURANA conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If someone has eaten impure foods from someone or has drank water left from a great sinner, the sins which are derived from such eating and drinking, can become nullified just by drinking the water which has emanated from the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari.

SUDDHAM BHAGAVATASYANNAM SUDDHAM BHAGIRATHI JALAM
SUDDHAM VISNU PARAM CITTAM SUDDHAM EKADASI VRATAM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/283 from SKANDA PURANA conversation between Markandeya and Bhagiratha)

 Food from the devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Ganges water, the mind engaged in the lotus feet of Lord Visnu and the day of Lord Hari, named Ekadasi, these are all pure.

PATRAM PUSPAM PHALAM TOYAM ANNA PANADY AUSADHAM
ANIVEDYA NA BHUNJITA YAD AHARAYA KALPITAM
ANIVEDYA TU BHUNJANAH PRAYASCITTI BHAVENNARAH
TASMAT SARVAM NIVEDYAIVA VISNOR BHUNJITA SARVADA

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/338,339 from BRAHMANDA PURANA)

Leaves, flowers, fruits, water, grains, drinks, and medicines altogether, whatever is to be used by a person, cannot be used without offering it to the Supreme Lord. If somebody uses something without first offering it to the Lord, that person must perform atonements. Therefore, everything should be first offered to the Lord before taking it himself.

AMBARISA GRHE PAKVAM YAD ABHISTAM SADATMANAH
ANIVEDYA HARER BHUNJAN SAPTA KALPANI NARAKI

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/34O from PADMA PURANA conversation between Gautama and Ambarisa)

 Oh Ambarisa, if anything desirable is being prepared within the house, if iteaten without first offering it to Lord Janardana, that person has to sufferin hell for seven kalpas (one kalpa is one thousand yugas).

AMBARISA NAVAM VASTRAM PHALAM ANNAM RASADIKAM
KRTVA VISNU UPABHUKTAN TU SADA SEVYAM HI VAISNAVAIH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/343 from VISNU SMRTI conversation between Gautama Rsi and Ambarisa Maharaja)

 A Vaisnava should always offer new clothes, fruits, grains, and juices to the Supreme Lord Visnu before he accepts them for himself.

YO MAMA EVA ARCANAM KRTVA TATRA PRAPANAM UTTAMAM
SESAM ANNAM SAMASNATI TATAH SAUKHYA TARAM NU KIM

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/390 from VARAHA PURANA)

 After worshipping Me, one should offer Me sumptuous food, and after offering it to Me, he should eat sumptuously. What would be more pleasing than this?

See more about making offerings to Krishna here

BHAKTYA BHUNAKTI NAIVEDYAM SALAGRAMA SILARPITAM
KOTIM MAKHASYA LABHATE PHALAM SATA SAHASRASAH

(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 9/395 from SKANDA PURANA)

 One who eats food after offering it to Salagram Sila, he achieves the results of performing one hundred times one thousand times one million fire sacrifices.

Srila Rupa Goswami mentions some of the benefits of worshipping a Nrsimha shalagram sila in his book, Padyavali:

"A tulasi leaf offered to the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of murder. Water that has washed the lotus feet of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of theft. Foodstuff offered to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of drinking liquor. Sincere surrender to the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of adultery with the wife of the spiritual master. Association with the devotees of the Nrsimha shalagram sila destroys the sin of offenses to the devotees. This is the extraordinary glory of the Nrsimha shalagram sila."

[ Srila Rupa Goswami: Padyavali, Verse 116]

deçe käle ca sampräpte
muny-annaà hari-daivatam
çraddhayä vidhivat pätre
nyastaà kämadhug akñayam

SYNONYMS
deçe—in a proper place, namely a holy place of pilgrimage; käle—at an auspicious time; ca—also; sampräpte—when available; muni-annam—foodstuffs prepared with ghee and suitable to be eaten by great saintly persons; hari-daivatam—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari; çraddhayä—with love and affection; vidhi-vat—according to the directions of the spiritual master and the çästras; pätre—unto the suitable person; nyastam—if it is so offered; kämadhuk—becomes a source of prosperity; akñayam—everlasting.

TRANSLATION
When one gets the opportunity of a suitable auspicious time and place, one should, with love, offer food prepared with ghee to the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and then offer the prasäda to a suitable person—a Vaiñëava or brähmaëa. This will be the cause of everlasting prosperity. (Srimad Bhagavatam 7:15:5.)

devarñi-pitå-bhütebhya
ätmane sva-janäya ca
annaà saàvibhajan paçyet
sarvaà tat puruñätmakam

SYNONYMS
deva—unto the demigods; åñi—saintly persons; pitå—forefathers; bhütebhyaù—the living entities in general; ätmane—relatives; sva-janäya—family members and friends; ca—and; annam—foodstuff (prasäda); saàvibhajan—offering; paçyet—one should see; sarvam—all; tat—them; puruña-ätmakam—related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION
One should offer prasäda to the demigods, the saintly persons, one's forefathers, the people in general, one's family members, one's relatives and one's friends, seeing them all as devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT
As mentioned above, it is recommended that everyone distribute prasäda, considering every living being a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Even in feeding the poor, one should distribute prasäda. In Kali-yuga there is a scarcity of food almost every year, and thus philanthropists spend lavishly to feed the poor. For this they invent the term daridra-näräyaëa-sevä. This is prohibited. One should distribute sumptuous prasäda, considering everyone a part of the Supreme Lord, but one should not juggle words to make a poor man Näräyaëa. Everyone is related to the Supreme Lord, but one should not mistakenly think that because one is related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has become the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Näräyaëa. Such a Mäyäväda philosophy is extremely dangerous, especially for a devotee. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has therefore strictly forbidden us to associate with Mäyävädé philosophers. Mäyävädi-bhäñya çunile haya sarva-näça: if one associates with the Mäyäväda philosophy, his devotional life is doomed.(Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. Srimad Bhagavatam 7:15:6., text and purport.)

na dadyäd ämiñaà çräddhe
na cädyäd dharma-tattvavit
muny-annaiù syät parä prétir
yathä na paçu-hiàsayä

SYNONYMS
na—never; dadyät—should offer; ämiñam—meat, fish, eggs and so on; çräddhe—in the performance of the çräddha ceremony; na—nor; ca—also; adyät—one should eat personally; dharma-tattva-vit—one who is actually learned in regard to religious activities; muni-annaiù—by preparations made with ghee for saintly persons; syät—should be; parä—first-class; prétiù—satisfaction; yathä—for the forefathers and the Supreme Personality of Godhead; na—not; paçu-hiàsayä—by killing animals unnecessarily.

TRANSLATION
A person fully aware of religious principles should never offer anything like meat, eggs or fish in the çräddha ceremony, and even if one is a kñatriya, he himself should not eat such things. When suitable food prepared with ghee is offered to saintly persons, the function is pleasing to the forefathers and the Supreme Lord, who are never pleased when animals are killed in the name of sacrifice.(Srimad Bhagavatam. 7:15:7.)

siddhair yajïävaçiñöärthaiù
kalpayed våttim ätmanaù
çeñe svatvaà tyajan präjïaù
padavéà mahatäm iyät

SYNONYMS
siddhaiù—things obtained by the grace of the Lord; yajïä-avaçiñöa-arthaiù—things obtained after a sacrifice is offered to the Lord or after the recommended païca-sünä yajïa is performed; kalpayet—one should consider; våttim—the means of livelihood; ätmanaù—for the self; çeñe—at the end; svatvam—so-called proprietorship over one's wife, children, home, business and so on; tyajan—giving up; präjïaù—those who are wise; padavém—the position; mahatäm—of the great personalities who are fully satisfied in spiritual consciousness; iyät—should achieve.

TRANSLATION
An intelligent person should be satisfied with eating prasäda [food offered to the Lord] or with performing the five different kinds of yajïa [païca-sünä*]. By such activities, one can give up attachment for the body and so-called proprietorship with reference to the body. When one is able to do this, he is firmly fixed in the position of a mahätmä.

PURPORT

*Panch-suna-yajna:
The five mahä-yajïas, or great sacrifices, are defined as follows: päöho homaç cätithénäà saparyä tarpaëaà baliù—"reciting the Vedas, offering oblations into the sacrificial fire, waiting on guests, making offerings to the forefathers, and offering [a share of one's food] to living entities in general."
Çréla Prabhupäda comments as follows on these sacrifices: "In another palace Kåñëa was found performing the païca-yajïa sacrifice, which is compulsory for a householder. This yajïa is also known as païca-sünä. Knowingly or unknowingly, everyone, specifically the householder, is committing five kinds of sinful activities. When we receive water from a water pitcher, we kill many germs that are in it. Similarly, when we use a grinding machine or take foodstuffs, we kill many germs. When sweeping the floor or igniting a fire, we kill many germs. When we walk on the street we kill many ants and other insects. Consciously or unconsciously, in all our different activities we are killing. Therefore it is incumbent upon every householder to perform the païca-sünä sacrifice to rid himself of the reactions to such sinful activities."(Srimad Bhagavatam 10:69:24. purport)

Prabhupad: This bhüta-hatyä. Bhüta-hatyä is also recognized here as sinful activities. As wine is sinful or impure—if not sinful, it is impure—bhüta-hatyä, killing of animal, is also sinful activities. So you cannot counteract by performing yajïa, because in the yajïa there is also another bhüta-hatyä.
    So even there is no bhüta-hatyä... That is called païca-sünä-yajïa, five kinds of imperceptible sinful activities. Just like when we are walking on the street, there are many ants and germs, they are being killed. I do not know, I do not wish to kill, but they are being killed. When you are igniting fire, in the fireplace, there are so many small ants. So as soon as you ignite, all those small ants—you cannot see—they die. Similarly, when you keep water, there are so many microbes and other living entities. So as you press on it, they die. Similarly, pestle and mortar. In India the system, they don't purchase...Those who are rigid family, they do not purchase these powdered spices. No. They bring whole spices and they smash it with mortar and pestle. That is very nice. So doing that smashing work, you kill so many animals. In breathing, you kill so many animals. In drinking water, you kill so many animals. This is bhüta-hatyä. You are killing. This is not intentional. You do not know. Therefore in a Vedic system there is prescription, païca-sünä-yajïa. Païca means five, and sünä means bhüta-hatyä, or killing animals, sünä.
Striya-sünä-päna-dyüta [SB 1.17.38]. Sünä. Sünä means violence. So we prohibit these four kinds of sinful life: killing of animals and illicit sex... Striya, sünä, and... Païca-sünä. Yes... Striya-sünä-päna. Päna means intoxicants, and dyüta means gambling. So these are four kinds of sinful activities. So out of that, sünä is one. That is also divided in many divisions, at least five. Willingly, we are not going to kill anybody, but unwillingly... Therefore there is païca-sünä-yajïa. You have to perform yajïa every day to counteract the sinful reaction of your imperceptible killings of animals. That's it. This is Vedic life.
    So Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja says that "It is not possible to counteract." But indirectly, Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja says, that if you... He says simply the negative side, but the positive side is, in this age, simply by chanting Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, you become purified. That is the recommendation by Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Ceto-darpaëa-märjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. There are two kinds of, what is called, atonement. One atonement, by the prescribed method. You have done... Just like I'll give you common example. Just like you have committed theft. One atonement is that you go to the jail and live there for some time. This is atonement. If you have committed a murder, then you also be hanged. These are the laws. When the king orders somebody to be hanged on account of his committing murder, the king is not sinful. King is helpful. King is helping that rascal to atone his murdering activities. Otherwise, if he is not hanged, then next life, next time, he will be put into difficulty. Next time he will have to become animal. He will be slaughtered. These laws they do not know. Why these animals are being slaughtered? There is some nature's law. They were murderer or slaughterer in their past life as human being. Now they have assumed, they have accepted a body to be slaughtered by the laws of nature. When an animal is slaughtered in sacrifice, there is mantra.
The mantra is that... The animal slaughter in sacrifice is recommended for the animal-eaters, not for all. Those who are... To restrict.
    In the Vedas there is recommendation that animals can be sacrificed in yajïa. So that is also another meaning. The verse is loke vyaväyämiña-madya-sevä nityä hi jantor na hi tatra codanä. In this material world every living entity has got natural propensity for sex life, meat-eating and intoxication. There is already propensities. You haven't got to teach. Nobody teaches in the school how to enjoy sex life. Everyone knows. So these things are natural. Then why it has been taken by the Vedas? This should be the question, that "Without marriage, sex life is going on. Why this show of marriage?" People may question this. But there is need. Because Vedas have taken this marriage. Marriage is Vedic. So why Vedas have taken this marriage? No, to restrict it. Without marriage, sex life (is) unrestricted. And as soon as it comes to the Vedic principles, it becomes restricted. So the idea is to restrict. People are accustomed to this habit, and on account of this habit, they gradually become implicated with the laws of material nature. Therefore there is some restriction. Just like anyone can distill liquor at home. It is not very difficult thing. Anyone can do it. In India they do it. It is called dheno-mada. Dheno-mada means... Mada means liquor, and dheno means from rice. Just like we cook rice, so you cook rice and keep it in water for a few days or for a month, it becomes liquor. It becomes liquor. So why government has restricted, "No, you cannot manufacture liquor; you have to purchase from the licensed shop." Why? That is restriction. If the government would have allowed that "You can distill liquor and drink it," then there was no limit. Everyone would have. There is no restriction.
    So restriction is required. Why? It is because it is bad. Nobody restricts that "You don't manufacture cäpäöi." No. Because it is not bad thing. There is no such law, that "You don't manufacture nice foodstuff." No. That is very good. But when it is bad, then there is restriction. Therefore there is restriction of sex life, there is restriction of drinking wine, there is restriction of meat-eating, and there is restriction of gambling. Because these things are bad. You cannot become good by indulging in bad things. That is not possible. The same thing. Just like you cannot clear muddy water by putting another mud. That is not possible.
So the human life is meant for purification. Sattva-çuddhi. In the Bhagavad-gétä there is, abhayam... What is that? Can anyone... Abhayaà sattva-saàçuddhiù. Sattva-saàçuddhi, it is very important thing. Sattva means my existence. I am eternal. So I am existing, but I am suffering. I am suffering. Just like I have got now cold affection (infection). This is not my natural state, but I have been affected by chilly cold or something like that. Therefore I am suffering. So it is my duty to cure it, to take some medicine, to go to the physician. That is called sattva-saàçuddhi, purifying your existence. By nature, by constitutional position, every living entity is as pure as God. But God does not become impure. We become impure. Therefore we are suffering. That is the... So this impurity can be rectified in this life, this human form of life. Therefore human form of life is meant for purification. Therefore so many scriptures are there, so many teachers are there, so many rules and regulations are there. They are not meant for the animals, because they cannot be purified. They must have to come to this position by evolution of human being. Then there is chance of purification.
    Therefore in this human life, if we do not purify our existence, then we go on with this impure existence. Impure existence means transmigration of the soul from one body to another, and become subjected to birth, death, old age and disease. This is impurification. So they do not know that "Death is not my obligation. Because I am impure, therefore I am dying. Birth is not my obligation. Because I am impure, therefore I am taking birth." Janma-måtyu... Four things: janma-måtyu-jarä-vyädhi [Bg. 13.9]. Janma, birth, is due to my impure consciousness. Therefore if we purify our consciousness by advancing, by developing Kåñëa consciousness, then we become pure. This is the process of Kåñëa consciousness movement. Ceto-darpaëa-märjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12], Caitanya Mahäprabhu says, cleansing the heart. And all these purificatory methods, they are based on cleansing the heart. If I think myself that "I am something of this material product..." The scientists, they say that "I am these material things." They do not understand what is spiritual identity. And I do, I act, according to that material conception, that is impurity of my consciousness. First thing is to understand that "I am not this material body."
Therefore, spiritual education begins from this body. As Kåñëa says in the Bhagavad-gétä, dehino 'smin yathä dehe [Bg. 2.13]. Asmin dehe, in this body there is the spiritual spark who is the proprietor of the body. This is the beginning of spiritual education. What is, the scientists cannot imagine, or they have no idea, from there we begin our education in spiritual life, beyond their jurisdiction, beyond the jurisdiction of the scientists. And how they can understand this movement? It is beyond their jurisdiction. When they will receive one hundred or one thousands of Nobel Prize, at that time they may be able to understand that where Kåñëa consciousness movement begins. They do not know even where the Kåñëa consciousness movement begins. Therefore, generally people cannot understand what is this Kåñëa consciousness movement. They think it is some religious sentiment. Like so many other religions, it is like that. No. It is most the scientific movement, purifying the existence of the living being so that he can eternally, blissfully live, with complete knowledge. That is Kåñëa consciousness movement. To purify. Yena çuddhyet sattvam. And for such... Just like for being cured from your attack of cold and cough, you take so many medicine, go to so many physician, you spend some money. Why? You want to be cured. Similarly, if you understand that "This is my disease, repetition of birth, death, old age and disease," so you'll have to sacrifice. Just like you are sacrificing money for being cured from the diseased condition, similarly, çästra says that this human life is meant for tapasya, tapasya. Tapo divyaà yena çuddhyet sattvam [SB 5.5.1]. This human life is meant for tapasya, not for indulging in sensual gratification like the animals. Tapasya. So in the tapasya method these things are prescribed. So Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja is mentioning them.
So this Kåñëa consciousness movement means training people how to become tapasvé, tapasvé, who is undergoing tapasya, regulative, so that he may be cured from this permanent disease, birth, death, old age and disease. The Kåñëa consciousness movement. The whole Vedic process is meant for that purpose, to purify the existence of the living being so that he can be saved from the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. 14th May 1973. Lecture Srimad Bhagavatam 1:8 series excerpt. Los Angeles.)

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on some considerations of Prasadam

Çréla Prabhupäda: I am always well... in the sense that even if there is suffering, I know Kåñëa will protect me. But this suffering is not due to my sinful activities.
Bob: But let us say when I—in the town I live in, I take boiled water because some of the water has disease in it. Now, why should I drink boiled water if I have been good enough not to get a disease? Then I may drink any water. And if I have been not acting properly. then I shall get disease anyway.
Çréla Prabhupäda: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take physical risk so long as he has a physical body. It is not a challenge to the physical laws: “I have become a devotee. I challenge everything.” That is foolishness.

anäsaktasya viñayän
yathärham upayuïjataù
nirbandhaù kåñëa-sambandhe
yuktaà vairägyam ucyate

The devotee is advised to accept the necessities of life without attachment. He’ll take boiled water, but if boiled water is not available, does it mean he will not drink water? If it is not available, he will drink ordinary water. We take Kåñëa prasäda, but while touring, sometimes we have to take some food in a hotel. Because one is a devotee, should he think, “I will not take any foodstuffs from the hotel. I shall starve”? If I starve, then I will be weak and will not be able to preach.

Bob: Does a devotee lose some of his individuality, in that—
Çréla Prabhupäda: No, he has full individuality for pleasing Kåñëa. Kåñëa says, “You surrender unto Me.” So he voluntarily surrenders. It is not that he has lost his individuality. He keeps his individuality. Just like Arjuna—in the beginning, he was declining to fight, on account of his individuality. But when he accepted Kåñëa as his spiritual master, he became çiñya [a disciple]. Then whatever Kåñëa ordered, he said yes. That doesn’t mean he lost his individuality. He voluntarily accepted: “Whatever Kåñëa says, I shall do it.” Just like all my disciples—they have not lost their individuality, but they have surrendered their individuality. That is required. For example, suppose a man does not use sex. It does not mean he has become impotent. If he likes, he can have sex life a thousand times. But he has voluntarily avoided it. Paraà dåñövä nivartate: he has a higher taste. Sometimes we fast, but that does not mean we are diseased. We voluntarily fast. It does not mean that I am not hungry or cannot eat. But we voluntarily fast.
Bob: Does the devotee who surrenders keep his individual taste?
Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes, in full.
Bob: Taste for different things?
Çréla Prabhupäda: Hm?
Bob: Does he keep his individual likes and dislikes?
Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes, he keeps everything. But he gives preference to Kåñëa.
Suppose I like this thing but Kåñëa says, “No, you cannot use it.” Then I shall not use it. It is for Kåñëa’s sake.

nirbandhaù kåñëa-sambandhe
yuktaà vairägyam ucyate

Kåñëa says positively, “I like these things.” So we have to offer to Kåñëa what He likes, and then we’ll take prasäda. Kåñëa likes Rädhäräëé. Therefore all the gopés, they are trying to push Rädhäräëé to Kåñëa. “Kåñëa likes this gopé. All right, push Her.” That is Kåñëa consciousness. To satisfy the senses of Kåñëa, not to satisfy my senses. That is bhakti. That is called prema, love for Kåñëa. “Ah, Kåñëa likes this. I must give Him this.”
Bob: There is some prasäda [food offered to Kåñëa]. It’s offered, and then we go and eat, and different prasädams are served. Some I like, and some I find the taste not at all to my liking.
Çréla Prabhupäda: You should not do that. The perfection is that whatever is offered to Kåñëa you should accept. That is perfection. You cannot say. “I like this, I don’t like this.” So long as you make such discrimination, that means you have not appreciated what prasäda is.
A devotee: What if there is someone speaking of likes and dislikes? Say someone is preparing some prasäda...
Çréla Prabhupäda: No disliking, no liking. Whatever Kåñëa likes, that’s all right.
A devotee: Yes. But say someone prepares something, like some prasäda for Kåñëa, but he does not make it so good, and it is—
Çréla Prabhupäda: No, if made sincerely with devotion, then Kåñëa will like it. Just like Vidura. Vidura was feeding Kåñëa bananas, but he was so absorbed in thought that he was throwing away the real bananas and he was giving Kåñëa the skin, and Kåñëa was eating. [All laugh] Kåñëa knew that he was giving in devotion, and Kåñëa can eat anything, provided there is devotion. It does not matter whether it is materially tasteful or not. Similarly, a devotee also takes Kåñëa prasäda, whether it is materially tasteful or not. We should accept everything.
A devotee: But if the devotion is not there, like in India...
Çréla Prabhupäda: If devotion is not there, He doesn’t like any food, either tasteful or not tasteful. He does not accept it.
A devotee: In India... Somebody—
Çréla Prabhupäda: Oh, India, India. Don’t talk of India! Talk of philosophy. If there is not devotion, Kåñëa does not accept anything, either in India or in your country. Lord Kåñëa is not obliged to accept anything costly because it is very tasty. Kåñëa has very many tasteful dishes in Vaikuëöha. He is not hankering after your food. He accepts your devotion, bhakti. The real thing is devotion, not the food. Kåñëa does not accept any food of this material world. He accepts only the devotion.

patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà
yo me bhaktyä prayacchati
tad ahaà bhakty-upahåtam
açnämi prayatätmanaù
 [Bhagavad gita. 9.26]

[“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”] “Because it has been offered to Me with devotion and love”—that is required. Therefore we do not allow anyone to cook who is not a devotee. Kåñëa does not accept anything from the hands of a nondevotee. Why should He accept? He is not hungry. He does not require any food. He accepts only the devotion, that’s all. That is the main point. So one has to become a devotee. Not a good cook. But if he is a devotee, then he will be a good cook also. Automatically he will become a good cook. Therefore one has to become a devotee only. Then all other good qualifications will automatically be there. And if he is a nondevotee, any good qualifications have no value. He is on the mental plane, so he has no good qualification. [There is a long pause in the conversation.]
Çréla Prabhupäda: And the time?
Çyämasundara: Six o’clock.
Çréla Prabhupäda: Questions and answers are required. They are beneficial to all.
Bob: I still have a question on the prasäda.
Çréla Prabhupäda: Süta Gosvämé says:

munayaù sädhu påñöo ’haà
bhavadbhir loka-maìgalam
yat kåtaù kåñëa-sampraçno
yenätmä suprasédati
 [Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.5]

[“O sages, I have been justly questioned by you. Your questions are worthy because they relate to Lord Kåñëa and so are relevant to the world’s welfare. Only questions of this sort are capable of completely satisfying the self.”] Kåñëa-sampraçnaù, that is very good. When you discuss and hear, that is loka-maìgalam, auspicious for everyone. Both the questions and the answers.
Bob: I still do not understand so much about prasäda. But if you like I’ll think about it and ask you again tomorrow.
Çréla Prabhupäda: Prasäda is always prasäda. But because we are not elevated sufficiently, therefore we do not like some prasäda.
Bob: I found specifically that what I mean—that some are too spicy, and it hurts my stomach.
Çréla Prabhupäda: Well... That is also due to not appreciating, but the cook should have consideration. Kåñëa must be offered first-class foodstuffs. So if he offers something last class, he is not performing his duty. But Kåñëa can accept anything if it is offered by a devotee, and a devotee can accept any prasäda, even if it is spicy.
    Hiraëyakaçipu gave his son poison [and the son offered it to Kåñëa], and the son drank it as nectar. So even if it is spicy to others, taste, it is very palatable to the devotee. What is the question of spicy? He was offered poison, real poison. And Pütanä Räkñasé—she also offered Kåñëa poison. But Kåñëa is so nice that He thought, “She took Me as My mother,” so He took the poison and delivered her. Kåñëa does not take the bad side. A good man does not take the bad side—he takes only the good side. Just like one of my big Godbrothers—he wanted to make business with my Guru Mahäräja [spiritual master], but my Guru Mahäräja did not take the bad side. He took the good side. He thought, “He has come forward to give me some service.”
Bob: Business with your—what was that? Business with who?
Çréla Prabhupäda: I am talking about my Guru Mahäräja.
Bob: Oh, I see. I have another question on prasäda, if I may. Let us say some devotee has some trouble and does not eat a certain type of food—like some devotees do not eat ghee because of liver trouble. So these devotees, should they take all the prasäda?
Çréla Prabhupäda: No, no. Those who are not perfect devotees may discriminate. But a perfect devotee does not discriminate. Why should you imitate a perfect devotee? So long as you have discrimination, you are not a perfect devotee. So why should you artificially imitate a perfect devotee and eat everything?
Bob: Oh.
Çréla Prabhupäda: The point is, a perfect devotee does not make any discrimination. Whatever is offered to Kåñëa is nectar. That’s all. Kåñëa accepts anything from a devotee. “Whatever is offered to Me by My devotee,” He accepts. The same thing for a devotee. Don’t you see the point? A perfect devotee does not make any discrimination. But if I am not a perfect devotee and I have discrimination, why shall I imitate the perfect devotee? It may not be possible for me to digest everything because I am not a perfect devotee. A devotee should not be a foolish man. It is said:

kåñëa ye bhaje se baòa catura

So a devotee knows his position, and he is intelligent enough to deal with others accordingly.

courtesy of http://www.vedabase.com

http://www.salagram.net/sstp-prasadam.html

"Giving classes and holding feasts is our preaching. We should hold sankirtana as much as possible and distribute prasadam. Gradually when their heart is softened, then we will talk of philosophy, not in the beginning."

Srila Prabhupada Letter to Tusta Krsna, 08-23-76

http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/prasadam/seva/preaching.htm

Krsna Prasadam can be used as the centerpiece of an endless number of opportunities for preaching Krsna Consciousness, both in the temple and the home. Nama hatta means that you transform your home and family into an asrama wherein Krsna becomes the center and the Holy Name of the Lord is chanted regularly, Krsna prasadam is offered, and the Deities are served. Dovetailing prasadam distribution with a home preaching program is easy and enjoyable, and allows the whole family to participate in spreading Krsna Consciousness. Whatever your personal circumstances, you can creatively adapt some level of preaching around your own program of offering and taking Krsna prasadam.

Many pages in the Prasadam section of the website describe recipes -- and whole menus -- for feasts that celebrate Vaisnava holy days. Inviting guests to festival events is a great way to share Krsna culture. But secular and Christian holidays can also provide an opportunity for prasadam preaching. Devotees can find it quite difficult to deal with family holidays that are surcharged with passionate activity, meat eating and imbibing. You can sometimes find middle ground by offering to host these get-togethers, providing the main meal which can be made up of Krsna prasadam creatively adapted to suit the holiday. While curry isn’t likely to please many palates on Thanksgiving, there are many meat substitute products available today that can be offered, and endless vegetarian side dishes to please even the fussiest eaters. While describing the various vegetarian dishes, you can emphasize the merits of Krsna Consciousness without offending others.

Indian food and culture in itself provides a unique opportunity for preaching. Dinner parties or other get-togethers that feature delicious banquets of traditional Vedic preparations create an excellent environment for sharing Krsna Consciousness. This is also a great way to expose newcomers -- many of whom might be hesitant about being ‘preached to’ - to Krsna culture. Simply by offering guests a detailed description of each of the foodstuffs, a lot of preaching can take place. Guests love to hear the stories Sri Krsna/Caitanya pastimes associated with various dishes, or the temples where preparations were made famous.

We like to use the travelogue approach to prasadam preaching by inviting guests to a Krsna prasadam feast that’s focused on a particular regional Indian cuisine. No matter what area of India you choose, Krsna's Name, Fame and Pastimes can be found there! We've found this format to be a particularly successful way to expose business associates to the philosophy. Even guests who express little interest in Krsna Consciousness can’t help but be attracted to the nectar prasadam. Try giving them a repeat experience by hosting several different regional feast get-togethers. Not only will they look forward to the next sumptuous meal, their minds will slowly get attuned to the pleasures of hearing about Krsna as part of the eating celebration. Reading aloud from Krsna Book, or reading about Lord Caitanya’s prasadam pastimes, is a nice tie-in to the food theme, and gives guests a great dose of nectar. End the evening with a rousing game of India Mission, which lets you organize various spiritual events across a beautiful map of India. "

Cooking classes are another excellent way to simultaneously share Krsna Conscious culture and distribute prasadam to new folks. A great trend has unfolded with the upsurge of natural and organic supermarkets. Many of these markets have a small kitchen built-in where gourmet and whole foods cooking classes are held. Try signing-up to teach a Krsna prasadam cooking class. No one but the devotees are trained up to teach the remarkable art of cooking to please Lord Krsna! You’ll have a rapt audience.

Prabhupada: “.... If halava is made nicely, actually it is best. So prepare all these things. Offer to Krsna and devotees, and at last you take. Don't take first. Give all, as much as you like, then you take. Susukham kartum avyayam. It is such a nice movement. It is simply pleasing. To execute, it is simply pleasing. And avyayam. Whatever you do is permanent. Whatever little service you have given. It will never be lost. Avyayam. Therefore Narada Muni says, bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi. Even if he's not fully matured and falls down, kva vabhadram abhud amusya kim. Where is loss? Whatever he has done, that is permanent. Because that will grow. If the seed is permanently sown, then it will naturally grow. It may take some time, but it will grow. So he's not loser. If he's little careful, then it will grow. Mali hana sei bija kare aropana, sravana-kirtana-jale karaye... Then the creeper goes, grows, and at last takes shelter of Krsna. These are described in the Caitanya-caritamrta.
Vipramukhya: When we prepare a feast we should give and give and give, and when no one wants any more then... Prabhupada: Up until he comes to this point. Not only this point, but up to this point. Eat as much as you like. We are not miser. You eat. As much you want I shall supply. But don't waste. Eat. Don't waste.
Hari-sauri: This morning you were saying that fasting is very good. (laughter)
Harikesa: I was just thinking about that. Prabhupada: No. Not prasadam. I never said. No, those who want to eat... Fasting... One who has not developed Krsna consciousness, for him fasting. And one who takes pleasure, "Oh, it is Krsna's pleasure, or Krsna's food. I'll take." This is the idea. So we are not devotees, therefore we should first fast. And those who are devotees, they'll take as much as they like. I was telling fasting because I am not a devotee. (laughs) For me fasting is good. If I eat more--atyaharah. Atyaharah prayasas ca, sadbhir bhaktir pranasyati.
Hari-sauri: If you can appreciate krsna-prasadam without filling up to the neck...
Prabhupada: Yes. It is for the devotee. A devotee can eat. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu was eating. Govinda, his servant complained, "Sir, so many things are lying here and everyone asks, 'Whether Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taken my preparation.' 'Oh yes, He has taken.' So I have to speak so many lies. You don't take. What can I do?" He said, "All right, bring it. Bring it." So He began to eat for one hundred men's foodstuff stocked. He finished. Then He asked, "Any more?" So, now only the bags are there. Everything finished. (laughs) So He ate. Everything, one after another, one after another, one after another. "All right. Bring, bring, bring." So He can eat. We cannot.”

Srila Prabhupada Garden Conversation, 09-06-76Vrindaban

Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Gurvastam, Stockholm, 09-09-73

http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/prasadam/seva/preaching.htm

Prasadam distribution is an essential element of Krsna Consciousness. Not only are the devotees instructed to prepare and offer sumptuous foodstuffs to the Lord, taking only His remnants as their own eatables, they are also requested to liberally distribute Krsna prasadam to all other persons who are suffering due to spiritual hunger.

Srila Prabhupada taught the devotees many methods for distributing prasadam, each with its own unique mood. ISKCON quickly became famous for the lavish Sunday Love Feasts held in temples everywhere. Devotees out on sankirtana and book distributing parties would hand out sweets and invite everyone they met to come to the Sunday program to enjoy a vegetarian feast and take darshan of the Deities. Prasadam was always made available to temple visitors, no matter the day or time they might visit. Food For Life programs were established, with large quantities of prasadam being freely distributed to the hungry from mobile and permanent stations. College preaching programs grew around the distribution of prasad at lunchtime on campus grounds. At Ratha Yatras around the world each year, the Festival of India includes booths where prasadam is distributed to all.

The distribution of Krsna prasadam is a prime benediction of Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtana movement. As Lord Caitanya instructed Nityananda and Haridas Prabhus, “Go from house to house and beg the residents as follows: Speak about Krsna, worship Krsna and teach others about Krsna." ….and everywhere you go, liberally distribute Krsna Consciousness in the form of wonderful prasadam!

"This gratitude and love for God is exhibited by a pure devotee, who knows that the Lord lives in every living entity. As such, temple worship necessarily includes distribution of prasada. It is not that one should create a temple in his private apartment or private room, offer something to the Lord, and then eat. Of course, that is better than simply cooking foodstuffs and eating without understanding one's relationship with the Supreme Lord; people who act in this manner are just like animals. But the devotee who wants to elevate himself to the higher level of understanding must know that the Lord is present in every living entity, and, as stated in the previous verse, one should be compassionate to other living entities. A devotee should worship the Supreme Lord, be friendly to persons who are on the same level and be compassionate to the ignorant. One should exhibit his compassion for ignorant living entities by distributing prasada. Distribution of prasada to the ignorant masses of people is essential for persons who make offerings to the Personality of Godhead."

Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3:29:24

"Just like in our temples, everywhere, we are daily feeding so many daridras. So many. In Los Angeles, in New York, and Mayapur also, daily we are feeding five hundred to one thousand people. They are daridras. So that is the duty of every temple. There we're feeding not only Hindus and, only, but Muslims also. Anyone. Anyone come here and take prasadam. And the whole village is so satisfied with these activities. Temple means there must be sufficient foodstuff. Anyone who comes for foodstuff, he should be given. So by worshiping Krsna, these things automatically done. There is no need of extra endeavor. Paratma-nistha. This is called paratma-nistha. Etam sa asthaya paratma-nistha. Not only now. From time immemorial, all the temples in India, they have got sufficient foodstuff. Even at Natha-dvara, if you pay them only one anna or four annas, they'll give you so much nice prasadam. The two annas, four annas, the priestly order, they take. Otherwise, prasada is distributed. So by worshiping Krsna... Krsna is not hungry. He's fully satisfied. He doesn't require to eat. Temple worship means to distribute the prasadam to the poor. That is temple worship. Temple worship does not mean that you, you bring some rice from the neighbors and cook it and eat yourself and sit, sleep down, nice. No. Temple worship means you must distribute prasadam... You should... To the poor. Everyone is poor. Not that the rich man is not poor. Actually I have seen one rich man, he was coming for asking some prasadam. In my, before when I taking, when I was grhastha, I was going in so many temples, asking for some prasadam. That's a long history. So there is no question of, if one is financially poor, he should come to the temple. Everyone should come to the temple and ask for prasada. That is required. So paratma-nistham. The sannyasi should worship the Deity in the temple and feed the poor. Poor does not mean that one who has no legs, no ears, or no... Poor... Everyone who is spiritually poor, he should be given prasadam. "

Srila Prabhupada Initiation Lecture, Calcutta, 01-26-73 730126in.cal

http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/prasadam/seva/handouts.htm

Prabhupada: "You distribute that prasadam, little, everyone.
Devotee (1): This lugdu?
Prabhupada: Yes. I will also take little. Distribute. What is your program?
Karandhara: Well, we thought we could do both because we have a recording studio for sound. So you can come into the recording studio and record as much as you wanted, all day long. The shooting for the TV show... We worked out a program of shooting each week forty minutes.
Prabhupada: Oh, you take more. Why little, little? Give more. Give me also little more.
Trivikrama: Jaya.
Prabhupada: Mm. It is very nice.
Devotee (1): Prabhupada distributes mercy to the world.
Prabhupada: Who has made it?
Karandhara: Dhruvananda.
Prabhupada: Oh. He is good cook?
Karandhara: Yes.
Prabhupada: Mm. He has made nice.
Sudama: Shall I save one for later for you?
Prabhupada: No. No saving. (laughter) Give me immediately. (laughter) Give them."

Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, 04-20-72, Tokyo

My first taste of Krsna prasadam was an intensely wonderful sweetball aptly named a “Simply Wonderfuls”. By the late 1960’s, Krsna devotees had taken to the street across America, handing out all manner of wonderful foodstuffs. More than 35 years later, Simply Wonderfuls still rank as one the favorite prasadam handouts for Sankirtana parties.

It’s best to choose foodstuffs for prasadam distribution that are well suited to the preaching environment. While syrup sweets are delectable, there’s little point in handing them out on the street, where managing sticky hands is a difficulty. Distributing prasadam on the streets is best done by eliminating foodstuffs that don’t travel well, are sensitive to heat or air, or are complicated to distribute and eat.

Following are just a few recipes for prasadam handouts that are simple and always relished by devotees and non-devotees alike. Many more great preps are included in our Recipe section.http://www.harekrsna.com/practice/prasadam/recipes/recipes.htm

SYNONYMS
måga—deer; uñöra—camels; khara—asses; marka—monkeys; äkhu—mice; sarésåp—snakes; khaga—birds; makñikäù—flies; ätmanaù—of one's self; putra-vat—like the sons; paçyet—one should see; taiù—with those sons; eñäm—of these animals; antaram—difference; kiyat—how little.

TRANSLATION
One should treat animals such as deer, camels, asses, monkeys, mice, snakes, birds and flies exactly like one's own son. How little difference there actually is between children and these innocent animals.

PURPORT
One who is in Kåñëa consciousness understands that there is no difference between the animals and the innocent children in one's home. Even in ordinary life, it is our practical experience that a household dog or cat is regarded on the same level as one's children, without any envy. Like children, the unintelligent animals are also sons of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore a Kåñëa conscious person, even though a householder, should not discriminate between children and poor animals. Unfortunately, modern society has devised many means for killing animals in different forms of life. For example, in the agricultural fields there may be many mice, flies and other creatures that disturb production, and sometimes they are killed by pesticides. In this verse, however, such killing is forbidden. Every living entity should be nourished by the food given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Human society should not consider itself the only enjoyer of all the properties of God; rather, men should understand that all the other animals also have a claim to God's property. In this verse even the snake is mentioned, indicating that a householder should not be envious even of a snake. If everyone is fully satisfied by eating food that is a gift from the Lord, why should there be envy between one living being and another? In modern days people are very much inclined toward communistic ideas of society, but we do not think that there can be any better communistic idea than that which is explained in this verse of Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Even in the communistic countries the poor animals are killed without consideration, although they also should have the right to take their allotted food with which to live. (Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad. Srimad Bhagavatam 7:14:9. text and purport.)

Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's words of encouragement on the topic:
The following snippets, letters and instructions from His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad are put here so that we can appreciate the care and depth to which he tried to train his followers in the science of Krishna consciousness, and in this instnace around the preparation and distribution and consumption of Sri Bhagavat Prasadam.

You cannot expect peace and you go on killing animals. That is not possible.

 If you want peace, then you must think for others also. That is Krishna consciousness.

That is God consciousness. How you can kill another animal? He is also as good a child of God.

(6th January 1969. Bhagavad Gita 4:7-10 lecture. Los Angeles. )

---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---

This morning's newspaper carried a feature story on our Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir. After breakfast prasadam Jayapataka Swami read the whole article to Prabhupada, noting a certain amount of cynicism on the part of the writer. The man had noticed the pujari offering bhoga to Sri Sri Radha-Madhava in a Deity room warmed by a heater. The author questioned who the heater was for, since he had been told that everything we did was for God's pleasure and not our own. What would God want with a heater? He concluded that it must have been for the devotee's comfort.

Prabhupada said that this is the atheistic mentality. He is compelled to question who it is for; whereas a devotee knows that it is for the Lord. If the Deities can enjoy bhoga, why not heat? This inability to understand that God has senses is impersonalism. In their experience personality means "having limited senses." Therefore God must be impersonal in order to be unlimited.

"Actually," he said, "unlimited means you can eat six rasagullas, but Krsna can eat unlimited coconuts. Krsna has senses, and He appreciates the heater."

- From the "A Transcendental Diary Vol 1" by HG Hari Sauri dasa

---*---*---*---*---*---*---*---

During the train ride to Calcutta, Srila Prabhupada reiterated his displeasure with the mismanaged ISKCON pandal at Kumbha-mela. Thousands of guests were coming to the Hare Kanëa pandal without receiving prasadam. Determined that the bad example not be repeated, he dictated a letter,

"To all ISKCON Temple Presidents."

"Please accept my blessings. Now you must arrange in each temple there must be sufficient stock of prasadam for distribution. You can keep first-class cooks, two or three, and they should always be engaged. Whenever any guests comes, he must get prasad. This arrangement must be made, that the cooks prepare 10-20 servings at a time, of pures and sabji, and then you can add halava and pakoras and the visitors may be supplied immediately. Whenever a gentleman comes, he must be served. As the twenty servings are being distributed, immediately the cooks prepare another 20 servings and store it.
At the end of the day if no one comes, our men will take, so there is no loss. You cannot say, "It is finished," "It is not cooked yet," "There is no supply for cooking," etc. This must be enforced rigidly.
 The temple is managed by Srimati Radharani, Lakshmiji; so why should there be want? Our philosophy is, if anyone comes, let him take prasad, chant Hare Krishna, and be happy. Everything is being supplied by Krishna. Krishna is not poor, so why should we deny them? This should be done at any cost.
There is no difficulty. It simply requires nice management. At the end of the day you may sell or give away. If we believe that Krishna is providing for and maintaining everyone, then why should we be misers? This means losing faith in Krishna and thinking that we are the doers and suppliers. We are confident that Krishna will supply! Let the whole world come. We can feed them. So please do this nicely. Begin at once."
Lilamrta Volume VI p. 232, letter: January 1977

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So my request is that you continue your devotional service very faithfully and rigidly, then in this life you will be able to see Krsna face to face. That is a fact. So you follow the advice, as given by Rupa Gosvami, utsahat. The first thing is enthusiasm, that "I must see Krsna." You are seeing Krsna. The Deity of Krsna and Krsna is not different. But even personally we can see. Simply we have to continue the enthusiasm.

Departure Lecture, Caracas 1975

This section has relied heavily on letters and snippets from the Prabhupad Remembrances postings, and Prabhupad Nectar, as well as notes from a forth coming book of Hari Sauri prabhu's on prasadam, and his Transcendental Diary books. If you'd like to receive such snippets on a daily basis please send a message to mailto:krpamaya_gauranga@hotmail.com with the positive affirmative "Subscribe" in the Subject area.

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Sila & Prasad Katha - Swadhyaya...

What is the need for offering foodstuffs to the Lord? What is the purpose of honouring mahaprasada?
by Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur

Honouring mahaprasada is not only symbplic of the superior life of the Vaisnavas, but it is a part of worship, which ordinary theists cannot fully understand. Ordinary men are very much inclined to preserve the superiority of reason over the intuitive feelings of man toward the God of love. We must now precede to show with healthy arguments that our intuitive feelings want us to offer everything we eat to the Lord of our heart. We must first examine the arguments of the antagonists.

The rationalist states that God is infinite and without wants, and consequently it is foolish to offer eatables to such a being. It is sacrilege to offer created things to the creator and thereby degrade the divinty of God, treating Him as a human being. These are reasonable arguments indeed, and one who has heard them will certainly be inclined to tell others, "down with mahaprasada." These conclusions, which may appear reasonable, are dry and destructive. They tend to seperate us from all connection in worshipping God. When you say that the Infinite wants nothing, you forbid all contemplation and prayer. The infinite does not want your grateful expression or flattery. Utter a word to the unconditioned Lord and you are sure to degrade Him into a conditioned being. Hymns, prayers and sermons are all over! Shut your temple door and church gates because our rationalist has advised you to do so. Believe a creative principle and you have done your duty! Oh! What a shame! What a dreadful fall! Theists, beware of these degrading principles!

Now the rationalist appears in another form and allows prayers, sermons, psalms, and church going, saying that these things are wanted for the improvement of the soul, but God does not want them at all. We are glad that the rationalist has come toward us and will make further approaches in the course of time.

Yes, the progressive rationalist has admitted a very broad principle in theology: whatever we do toward God is for our own benefit and not for the benefit of God, who is not in want of anything. However, the rationalist is a rationalist still and will continue to be so as long as he seeks self-interest. We know for certain that religion promises to give eternal happiness to man and it is impossible to conceive of any religion, which is not based on self-interest. This view, however, smells of utilitarianism and can never be theism. We must love God for God's sake even if our actions appear unreasonable. Our love must be without any goal concerning ourselves.

This love must be natural emotion to the deity, as our well-wisher, without inference or experience. Salvation, dear as it is, should not be the object of this love. What then about other forms of happiness? Love of God is it's own reward. Salvation, as a concomitant consequence, must be a servant of love, but we must not look on it as the main goal. If a rationalist is prepared to believe this, he becomes a theist of the Vaisnava class, but the mere assuming of a name is of no consequence.

Though fully aware that the Lord is completely unconditioned, our holy and sweet principle of love takes a different view to that of the rationalist.

Reason says one thing but love prescribes the opposite. Reason tells me that God has no sorrow, but love sees God in tears for His sons who are misled to evil. Reason tells me that the strict laws of God reward and punish me in a cold manner, but love reveals that God slackens His laws to the repentant soul. Reason tells me that, with all his improvements, man will never touch God, but love preaches that on the conversion of the soul into a state of spiritual womanhood, God, unconditioned as He is accepts an eternal marriage with the liberated soul. Reason tells me that God is in infinite space and time, but love describes that the all-beautifull Lord is sitting before us like a respected relative and enjoying the pleasures of society. As a father in his amusements with his young children, God is spreading all sorts of delicious food all over the earth and expecting His sons to gather them for their own benefit. But the loving children, out of their holy and unmixed love, gather all the scattered blessings and with strong feelings of love,