Gateway to

Krishna Consciousness
A manual for beginners on the path of devotion

Students Handbook
Part One - Śraddhāvān

International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Founder Ācārya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
 “Spiritual life can be attained by proper training-either by following the principles of
varṇa and āśrama or by being directly trained in the bhakti school by the methods of
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam/ arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam. Without being trained, one cannot be sukṛtī, auspicious.”
- CC Madhya 24.94, Purport

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Developed by Māyāpur Institute

1st Edition - Kārtika, 2022
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Contents
Part I Śraddhāvān
1. Brief introduction on importance

2. Significance of becoming Śraddhāvān

Definition of Faith
Origin of Śraddhā
Types of Śraddhā
Nature of faith in different modes
Science in the development of Śraddhā
Essentiality of Faith

3. Vaishnava Culture
Lesson 1 Principles and Application of Vaiñëava Culture
Definition of Vaiñhëava Culture
Overview
Essential Principle of Application of Vaiñhëava Culture
Time and place
Niyamägraha
Appropriate Attitude to Application of Vaiñhëava Culture

Lesson 2 Vaiñhëava Etiquette in Formal Venues

Praëäma
Temple Etiquette – Caraëämåta, Ärati & Dancing
Paripraçna - Inquiring Submissively
Vaiñëava Culture in Receiving Guests

Lesson 3 Vaiñhëav Cleanliness

Cleanliness & Consciousness
Kitchen Cleanliness
Maintaining purity (çuddhi-vicära)
Bathing (Snäna)

Lesson 4 Prasäda-sevä
Çréla Prabhupäda Selected Quotes on Prasädam
Prasäda-sevä from Caitanya-lélä
Çréla Prabhupäda Prasäda-sevä Anecdotes
Guidelines for Serving Prasädam
Guidelines for Honoring Prasädam

Lesson 5 Vaiñëava Dress

Appropriate and inappropriate methods of Vaiñhëava recreation
Dress and Mentality
Vaiñhëava & Regular Dress
Vaiñhëava Dress Standards
Benefits of Vaiñhëava dress for ISKCON’s communities & preaching

Lesson 6 Respect in Vaisnava Society

Respect in Vaiñhëava Society
Maryädä-vyatikrama
Vaiñhëava Aparädha & Forgiveness
Correcting Vaiñhëavas
1. Brief Introduction on the importance
Aim:
To introduce students to each other and establish positive foundation for the course.

Principal Value
Prahläda Mahäräja, the exemplary devotee of the Lord, had all the good qualities humanly
possible. Although he was the emperor of this world, he was not profligate. Beginning from
his childhood he was the reservoir of all good qualities….The most important characteristic
of a pure devotee is that he is not lampaöa, or licentious, and another quality is that he is
always eager to mitigate the miseries of suffering humanity. The most obnoxious misery of
a living entity is his forgetfulness of Kåñëa. A pure devotee, therefore, always tries to evoke
everyone's Kåñëa consciousness. This is the panacea for all miseries. (SB 3.14.49)

To render the highest benefit to humanity

Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has given a definition of auspiciousness. He says that actual
auspiciousness means welfare activities for all the people of the world. At the present
moment groups of people are engaged in welfare activities in terms of society, community
or nation. There is even an attempt in the form of the United Nations for world-help activity.
But due to the shortcomings of limited national activities, such a general mass welfare
program for the whole world is not practically possible. The Kåñëa consciousness
movement, however, is so nice that it can render the highest benefit to the entire human
race. Everyone can be attracted by this movement, and everyone can feel the result.
Therefore, Rüpa Gosvämé and other learned scholars agree that a broad propaganda
program for the Kåñëa consciousness movement of devotional service all over the world is
the highest humanitarian welfare activity. (NOD)

2. Çraddhävän – A faithful person

Aim:
To familiarize students with:

• Significance of becoming Śraddhāvān(faithful)

• Types of Śraddhā
• Science behind development of Śraddhā (faith)
• Process of reorienting one’s Śraddhā
• Importance of having faith on the statements of authentic scriptures

Definition of Faith
The definition of the word faith in the unabridged Oxford Dictionary is:
1- Complete trust or confidence.
2- Strong belief in a religion.
3- A system of religious belief. In Sanskrit the word for faith is Śraddhā.
The word Śraddhā has two components. An indeclinable - “Śrad” and the root -
“dhā”.
“dhā – dhāraṇa poṣaṇayoḥ.” The root “dhā” is used in the senses of dhāraṇa and
poṣaṇa. Means to have faith or confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In
the context of religion, one can define faith as “belief in God or in the doctrines or
teachings of religion”.
Faith has been described by Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī as, faith means: viśvāsa.
Śraddhā means firm faith.
(Lecture on BG 6.47 -- Ahmedabad, December 12, 1972)
“Faith means acceptance. When you accept, then your faith begins. If you have got
hesitation, then the faith has not begun. Or it is on the hazy state.”
(Room Conversation with Indian Guests - July 11, 1973, London)

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 22.62

çraddhä’-çabde—viçväsa kahe sudåòha niçcaya
kåñëe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kåta haya
Çraddhä is confident, firm faith that by rendering transcendental loving service to Kåñëa one
automatically performs all subsidiary activities. Such faith is favorable to the discharge of
devotional service.

Origin of Śraddhā
Çraddhä, or faith, originally comes out of the mode of goodness. One's faith may be in a
demigod, or some created God or some mental concoction. One's strong faith is supposed
to be productive of works of material goodness. But in material conditional life, no works
are completely purified. They are mixed. They are not in pure goodness. Pure goodness is
transcendental; in purified goodness one can understand the real nature of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. As long as one's faith is not completely in purified goodness, the
faith is subject to contamination by any of the modes of material nature. The contaminated
modes of material nature expand to the heart. Therefore, according to the position of the
heart in contact with a particular mode of material nature, one's faith is established. It
should be understood that if one's heart is in the mode of goodness his faith is also in the
mode of goodness. If his heart is in the mode of passion, his faith is also in the mode of
passion. And if his heart is in the mode of darkness, illusion, his faith is also thus
contaminated. Thus, we find different types of faith in this world, and there are different
types of religions due to different types of faith. The real principle of religious faith is
situated in the mode of pure goodness, but because the heart is tainted, we find different
types of religious principles. Thus, according to different types of faith, there are different
kinds of worship.” BG 17.3p

Science in the development of Śraddhā (faith)

In the conditioned state of existence faith transforms into three types through the three
modes – goodness, passion, and ignorance. The very nature of the internal organ – mind,
intelligence, false ego, and memory (citta) is to hold the impressions of the three modes.
Essentially faith can be divided into two types.
çästriya-çraddhä (faith in the scriptural injunction)
laukika-çraddhä (secular faith). To put faith in the words of materialistic scientists,
philosophers, etc.

Çästriya-çraddhä: Çästriya-çraddhä means to have strong faith on the conclusive

understanding of Scripture. Especially the Çrémad-Bhägavatam is the essence of all Vedas,
all Upaniñads.

sarva-vedänta-säraà hi
çré-bhägavatam iñyate
Çrémad-Bhägavatam is declared to be the essence of all Vedänta philosophy.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam is the essence of all the Vedas, Vedäntas and Upaniñads. Therefore one
who has unflinching faith in what is said, in the teachings that are given in the Çrémad-
Bhägavatam, that is çästriya-çraddhä. Çréla Jéva Gosvämé has put emphasis on çästriya-
çraddhä. One should develop faith in authentic scripture, not on the words of materialistic
persons or philosophers for attaining ultimate success in Krishna Consciousness.

laukika-çraddhä: people here may say, “There is a ghost in that tree.” When someone
comes and hears from them, he will say, “The people say there is a ghost in that tree.”
Because he has heard it from the local people, if he comes here when the electricity is out
and there is dense darkness, he may see something there. “Oh, yes! It is a ghost!” That is
laukika-çraddhä. When the electricity comes back on, he realizes it was only a dead tree. He
thought it was a ghost because it looked white.

Nature of faith in different modes

Śrimad Bhāgavatam says:
Faith directed toward spiritual life is in the mode of goodness.
Faith rooted in fruitive work is in the mode of passion.
Faith residing in irreligious activities is in the mode of ignorance.
Faith is the devotional service of the Lord is transcendental.

Not to follow the footsteps of saintly persons who do not care for
the revealed scriptures and decry ācāryas:
Lord Buddha is accepted as an incarnation of Kåñëa in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, but in the
same Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is stated that Lord Buddha appeared in order to bewilder the
atheistic class of men. Therefore, his philosophy is meant for bewildering the atheists and
should not be accepted. If someone asks, "Why should Kåñëa propagate atheistic
principles?" the answer is that it was the desire of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to
end the violence which was then being committed in the name of the Vedas. The so-called
religionists were falsely using the Vedas to justify such violent acts as meat-eating, and Lord
Buddha came to lead the fallen people away from such a false interpretation of the Vedas.
Also, for the atheists Lord Buddha preached atheism so that they would follow him and thus
be tricked into devotional service to Lord Buddha, or Kåñëa. (NOD)
Lord Buddha, a powerful incarnation of the Personality of Godhead…. He preached
nonviolence, taking pity on the poor animals. He preached that he did not believe in the
tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing.
Less intelligent men of the Age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principles,
and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the
preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. (SB 1.3.24p)

Vedic knowledge is complete and infallible

All Vedic knowledge is infallible, and Hindus accept Vedic knowledge to be complete and
infallible. For example, cow dung is the stool of an animal, and according to småti, or Vedic
injunction, if one touches the stool of an animal he has to take a bath to purify himself. But
in the Vedic scriptures cow dung is considered to be a purifying agent. One might consider
this to be contradictory, but it is accepted because it is Vedic injunction, and indeed by
accepting this, one will not commit a mistake; subsequently it has been proved by modern
science that cow dung contains all antiseptic properties. So Vedic knowledge is complete
because it is above all doubts and mistakes, and Bhagavad-gétä is the essence of all Vedic
knowledge. (Introduction to Bhagavad-gītā As It Is)

Finding the Cure for Today’s Social Ills.

During his visit to the Soviet Union in 1971, Çréla Prabhupäda talks with Professor Grigoriy
Kotovsky, head of the India Department at the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences:
Çréla Prabhupäda: There are other instances—for example, the conchshell. The conchshell
is the bone of an animal, and according to Vedic instruction if you touch the bone of an
animal you become impure and have to take a bath. But this conchshell is kept in the Deity
room, because it is accepted as pure by the Vedas. My point is that we accept Vedic laws
without argument. That is the principle followed by scholars. If you can substantiate your
statements by quotations from the Vedas, then they are accepted. You are not required to
substantiate them in other ways. There are different kinds of pramäëas, or evidences. Proof
by Vedic quotation is called çruti-pramäëa.
Essentiality of Faith:
Why faith is an essential quality of a devotee?
In Caitanya-caritamåta, Kaviräja Gosvämé says:
çraddhävän jana haya bhakti-adhikäré
A faithful devotee is a truly eligible candidate for the loving service of the Lord.

Harinama Cintamani, 71-72

The first essential requirement for chanting Krishna’s holy name is sraddha or firm faith.
One who is bereft of it cannot hear the name and is therefore unfit to chant…According to
Vaisnava etiquette, a person who does not have sraddha for the name should not be initiated
into chanting. If a faithless person is initiated into chanting or is instructed about the glories
of the holy name, he will only defile and disrespect the name. This is the statement of the
scripture. The swine will crush the pearls strewn before it and the monkey will tear the
cloth it is given. A faithless person will similarly commit increasing offenses to the holy
name and thus invite his doom. Simultaneously, the initiating guru will be dragged down
by his share in these offenses; very soon, he will leave the path of devotional service.

The purpose of executing religious faith means to understand

God
So, this Bhagavad-gītā should be read by every individual person to know the science of
God. It is a great science. God is not a fiction or an imagination, as people take it. Not
always, but in human society, everywhere in civilized human society there is some
conception of religion, and the purpose of executing religious faith means to understand
God. There is no other purpose of any religion. If in any religion the understanding of God
is lacking, that is not first-class religion.
(Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Sydney, February 16, 1973)
3. Vaishnava Culture
Essential Principle of Vaiñëava Culture

smartavyaù satataà viñëur

vismartavyo na jätucit
sarve vidhi-niñedhäù syur
etayor eva kiìkaräù

Kåñëa should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and
prohibitions mentioned in the çästras are the servants of these two principles.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lélä 22.113
From Padma Puräëa

Remember Kåñëa, and refrain from doing things that make him forget Kåñëa
Smartavyaù satataà viñëur vismartavyo na jätucit.The conclusion is that one must act in such a
way that he will always remember Kåñëa, and one must refrain from doing things that make him
forget Kåñëa. These two principles form the basic background of Kåñëa consciousness.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lélä 22.113

That doesn't matter. Because they have devoted..

Just like these European and American students, sometimes they cannot adopt to the principles
of sadäcära, as it is recommended. But that doesn't matter. Because they have devoted, they
have sacrificed their life for Kåñëa, they are sädhu. They should be given the respect of a sädhu
because they have no other business than Kåñëa.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 7.7.30-31—September 12, 1971, Mombassa

Religious Principles According to Time and Place (deça-käla-vibhägavit)

Bhéñmadeva.. knew perfectly religious principles according to time and place…

Bhéñmadeva, who was the best amongst the eight Vasus, received and welcomed all the great
and powerful åñis who were assembled there, for he knew perfectly all the religious principles
according to time and place…
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.9.9

Expert religionists know perfectly well how to adjust religious principles in terms of time and
place. All the great äcäryas or religious preachers or reformers of the world executed their
mission by adjustment of religious principles in terms of time and place. There are different
climates and situations in different parts of the world, and if one has to discharge his duties to
preach the message of the Lord, he must be expert in adjusting things in terms of the time and
place.
Purport Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.9.9

There are changes in the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty…
Our Kåñëa consciousness movement is going on throughout the entire world, and we also install
Deities in different centers. Sometimes our Indian friends, puffed up with concocted notions,
criticize, “This has not been done. That has not been done.” But they forget this instruction of
Närada Muni to one of the greatest Vaiñëavas, Dhruva Mahäräja. One has to consider the
particular time, country and conveniences. What is convenient in India may not be convenient in
the Western countries. Those who are not actually in the line of äcäryas, or who personally have
no knowledge of how to act in the role of äcärya, unnecessarily criticize the activities of the

5
 ISKCON movement in countries outside of India. The fact is that such critics cannot do anything
personally to spread Kåñëa consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and
allowing all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in the manner
of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to çästra….
Purport, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.8.54

Niyamägraha

Twofold meaning of Niyamägraha

Niyama Rules
ägraha Eagerness to accept

agraha Failure to accept

The word ägraha means “eagerness to accept,” and agraha means “failure to accept.” By the
addition of either of these two words to the word niyama (“rules and regulations”), the word
niyamägraha is formed.
The Nectar of Instruction, Verse 2 Purport

Simply blindly following

Niyamägraha means not accepting the rules and regulation. Another meaning of niyamägraha
means simply blindly following the rules and regulations, but he does not know for what he is
doing that…Everyone is doing this, but he does not understand why he is doing it.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB2.3.17—June 12, 1972, Los Angeles

Simply I am packed up with the regulative principle …

Niyamägraha means not to accept the regulative principle, niyama ägraha. Ägraha means not to
accept, and niyamägraha means simply I am packed up with the regulative principle but I do not
see whether I am making progress.
Çréla Prabhupäda Arrival Address—April 27, 1976, Auckland, New Zealand

Simply imitating without effect is called niyamägraha

It is not necessary that the rules and regulations followed in India be exactly the same as those
in Europe, America and other Western countries. Simply imitating without effect is called
niyamägraha. Not following the regulative principles but instead living extravagantly is also called
niyamägraha. The word niyama means “regulative principles,” and ägraha means “eagerness.”
The word agraha means “not to accept.” We should not follow regulative principles without an
effect, nor should we fail to accept the regulative principles.
Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Madhya-lélä 23.105 Purport

We shall be complicated with the details only..

You should always remember that either gåhastha or brahmacäré or sannyäsé, nobody can
strictly follow all the rules and regulations of them. In the Kali-yuga it is not possible. So if I find
simply fault with you, and if you find fault with me, then it will be factional, and our real business

6
 will be hampered. Therefore Caitanya Mahäprabhu has recommended that hari-näma, chanting
Hare Kåñëa mantra, should be very rigidly performed, which is common for everyone: gåhastha,
vänaprastha or sannyäsé. They should always chant Hare Kåñëa mantra. Then everything will be
adjusted. Otherwise it is impossible to advance. We shall be complicated with the details only.
This is called niyamägrahaù.
Çréla Prabhupäda Morning Walk—March 10, 1976, Mayapur

If I become conservative, then none of you will come to me.

That poet Allen Ginsberg, he said, “Swamiji, you are very conservative.” No, I am the most
liberal. You do not know. If I become conservative, then none of you will come to me.
So a brahmacäré is strictly prohibited not to see even one young woman. But what can be done?
In the Western countries, the boys and girls, they mix very freely. And if I say, “My dear boys,
you cannot see even a young girl,” then finished. My business there is finished. Therefore I have
to arrange according to the country, according to the circumstances, as far as possible. So
gradually, they are coming to the perfectional stage. So we have to adopt deça-käla-pätra…But
we are keeping our principles as it is, but making arrangement according to the circumstances.
That is required.
Lecture at Pandal -- November 16, 1973, Delhi

I am attached to the preaching work..

Just like I am an Indian sannyäsé. I have come to your country…there are many rules and
regulations in India which is different from your rules and regulations. But if I follow, if I stick to
rules and regulations of Indian conception, then it is impossible to remain here. So I have to
propagate this mission, Kåñëa consciousness, so I am not so much attached to the rules and
regulations, but I am attached to the preaching work. So therefore…this niyamägraha, is also
against Kåñëa consciousness. And niyamägraha. And when you are in a quite convenient
position, if you do not observe the rules and regulations, that is also against Kåñëa
consciousness.
Lecture Bhagavad-gétä 4.19-22—August 8, 1966, New York

Appropriate Attitude to Application of Vaiñëava Culture

tathäpi bhakta-svabhäva—maryädä-rakñaëa
maryädä-pälana haya sädhura bhüñaëa
It is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaiñëava etiquette. Maintenance
of the Vaiñëava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee.

maryädä-laìghane loka kare upahäsa

iha-loka, para-loka—dui haya näça
If one transgresses the laws of etiquette, people make fun of him, and thus he is vanquished in
both this world and the next.

maryädä räkhile, tuñöa kaile mora mana….

“By observing the etiquette, you have satisfied My mind….
(Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu to Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé)
Çré Caitanya-caritamrta Antya-lila 4.129-132

7
The society will be benefited at least by seeing their behavior
Therefore, at the present moment it is a great necessity to have some ideal men. Yad yad
äcarati çreyän. Therefore we are endeavoring to create some ideal men, Kåñëa conscious men,
their character, their behavior, their ideal aim of life. So those who have taken to Kåñëa
consciousness seriously, they should be ideal men. The society will be benefited at least by
seeing their behavior. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu has taught us, äpani äcari prabhu jéveri
çikñäya: if you don't behave yourself as an ideal man, you cannot preach. Your preaching will
not be successful.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 6.2.4—September 8, 1975, Vrndavana

“He’d be a perfect gentleman, that’s all.”

When a television interviewer asked Çréla Prabhupäda by what behavior one could recognize a
true follower of Kåñëa consciousness, Çréla Prabhupäda replied, “He’d be a perfect gentleman,
that’s all.”
Gita-nagari Press – Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami Vaisnava Behavio

Through music, philosophy, spiritual culture, and personal behavior..

This Krsna Consciousness movement through music, philosophy, spiritual culture, and personal
behavior culminating in ideal character of the devotees. All these heavenly contributions
combined together will certainly bring about a major change in the life of Western people.
Çréla Prabhupäda Letter to: Çivänanda—San Francisco, 14 September, 1968

8
Lesson 2
Vaiñëava Etiquette in Formal Venues

Lesson Topics

Praëäma
Temple Etiquette – Caraëämåta, Ärati & Dancing
Paripraçna - Inquiring Submissively
Vaiñëava Culture in Receiving Guests

He sees the degree of devotion..

mürkho vadati viñëäya dhéro vadati viñëave
ubhayos tu samaà puëyaà bhäva-grähé janärdanaù
At the time of offering obeisances to Lord Viñëu, a foolish person chants viñëäya namaù (this is
improper due to faulty grammar) and a learned person chants viñëave namaù (this is the correct
form). But both achieve equal piety by their offering of obeisances, because Lord Çré Janärdana
sees the sentiment of the living being, in other words, He sees the degree of devotion, or in other
words, He awards the result accordingly (He does not see one’s foolishness or intelligence).
Nimäi Paëòita’s Meeting with Çré Éçvara Puré Çré CB, Ädi-khaëòa 11.109

A king is worshiped in his palace

The worship of Kåñëa should be performed in just the way that a king is worshiped in his palace.
So in Våndävana there are many hundreds of temples wherein the Deity is worshiped exactly like
a king. In the Näradéya Puräëa it is stated, "If person stays in the Lord's temple even for a few
moments, he can surely achieve the transcendental kingdom of God."
Nectar of Devotion Chapter 9: Rendering Service to the Lord
PRAËÄMA

When a devotee falls down to the ground to offer obeisances to Vishnu, all the sins in his body
also fall down and become destroyed. When he gets up he becomes free from all sins.
Hari Bhakti Sudodaya

In the Näradéya Puräëa there is a statement about bowing down and offering respect to the
Deity… the person who has once offered respects, bowing down before the Deity, will not come
back to this world, because he will go directly to the abode of Kåñëa.
Nectar of Devotion
Chapter 9: Further Considerations of Devotional Principles

9
TYPES OF PRAËÄMA

Daëòavat-praëäma
The word daëòa means rod or pole. A rod or pole falls straight; similarly, when a devotee offers
obeisances to his superior with all eight aìgas (parts) of the body, he performs what is
called daëòavat…daëòavat means falling down like a rod before one's superior.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 1.67, purport
Añöaìga-praëäma (8 Aìgas)

dorbhyäà padäbhyäà jänubhyäm urasä çirasä dåçä

manasä vacasä ceti praëämo 'ñöäìga éritaù

One should bow down with both arms, both feet, both knees, the chest, head, eyes, mind, and
words. This is called bowing down with eight parts of the body.
(Hari-bhakti-vilasa 8.360)
Païcäìga-praëäma (5 Aìgas)
Five aìgas: knees, arms, head, mind and words.
Hari-bhakti-vilasa 8.361
Men may perform either type of praëäma, but women traditionally perform only païcäìga-
praëäma, since their breasts should not touch the earth.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)

While offering obeisances, first recite your own spiritual master's praëäma-mantra, then Çréla
Prabhupäda's and then the praëäma mantras for the Deities present on the altar
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)
Praëäma-mudrä
Within the Deity room, offer praëämas with joined palms (praëäma-mudrä), by mantra and with
the mind.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)

10
TRANSGRESSIONS TO AVOID WHILST OFFERING OBEISANCES

Do not offer obeisances when the Lord is resting

..It is enjoined in çästra that one should not disturb the Lord by offering obeisances when He is
resting or bathing. (Nor, strictly speaking, should one circumambulate the Lord at these times.)
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)

“One should not offer obeisances to the deities or spiritual master, etc. when they are sleeping
or eating. Otherwise, one should offer obeisances first to Shri Hari, then to his spiritual master
and then to his other superiors.”
The Narada Pancaratra

Obeisance with only one hand

It is an offense to offer obeisances with only one hand—that is, with one hand extended in front
of the head while the other holds a bead-bag or other sacred item off the floor. Before offering
obeisances, set down anything you are holding.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)
Wearing garments on the upper portion of his body
Anyone who offers respects and obeisances to the Deity while wearing garments on the upper
portion of his body is condemned to be a leper for seven births.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 12.37
This rule is still observed in many temles in South India. …However this rule does not seem to be strictly
followed in North India,
Footnote from Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press

Recite aloud the prayers

One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should
recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances.
NoD 8: Offenses to Be Avoided

Not proper to offer obeisances to the spiritual master before the Deity
Nor is it proper for a devotee to offer obeisances and touch the feet of the spiritual master before
the Deity. This is considered an offense.. The point is that even though one plays the part of a
spiritual master, he should not accept obeisances or permit a disciple to wash his feet before the
Deity. This is a matter of etiquette.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 12.127 Purport

Direction of Praëäma
The general rule is to point your head in the direction of the person you are respecting.
In the temple, where it is understood that Garuòa stands opposite the Deity, çästra enjoins
offering praëäma with your left side facing the Deity so that your feet are not in the direction of
Garuòa (or, in the case of many ISKCON temples, Çréla Prabhupäda).
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
Volume 1 Daily Service (Nitya-sevä)
Fast for one day..
One who does not offer respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to His Deity in the
temple or to a tridaëòé sannyäsé must undergo präyaçcitta [atonement]. If one does not offer
obeisances to such a sannyäsé, the prescribed präyaçcitta is to fast for one day.
Purport Ädi 17.266

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TEMPLE ROOM ETIQUETTE

Accepting Caraëämåta
As described in the Padma Puräëa, even a person who has never been able to give in charity,
who has never been able to perform a great sacrifice, who has never been able to study the
Vedas, who has never been able to worship the Lord—or, in other words, even one who has
never done any pious activities—will become eligible to enter into the kingdom of God if he
simply drinks the caraëämåta which is kept in the temple.
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9

The water that has washed the lotus feet of Lord Viñëu or a pure Vaiñëava is equal to the
combined waters of all the places of pilgrimage. After drinking such caraëämåta, one does not
need to take äcamana or wash his hands and mouth.
Agastya-saàhitä

Drinking the bath water of Viñëu is powerful enough to destroy the effects of one million sins
such as the killing of other living entities. However, the person who lets even one drop of the
sacred bath water fall on the ground must suffer eight million such sinful effects.
Hari-bhakti-viläsa
Observing Ärati
In the Skanda Puräëa there is the following description of the result of seeing ärati (worship) of
the Deity: “If someone sees the face of the Lord while ärati is going on, he can be relieved of all
sinful reactions coming from many, many thousands and millions of years past. He is even
excused from the killing of a brähmaëa or similar prohibited activities.”…..
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9
Wearing the flower garland of the Lord
In the Skanda Puräëa Lord Brahmä tells Närada, “My dear Närada, anyone who puts on his
neck the flower garland which was formerly used by Kåñëa becomes relieved from all disease
and reactions to sinful activities, and gradually he is liberated from the contamination of matter.
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9

Any devotee coming into the temple should always offer something to the Deity
Any devotee coming into the temple should always offer something to the Deity—fruit, flowers,
incense, etc. If one cannot offer anything in cash, something else must be offered. In India the
system is that all the ladies and gentlemen who come in the morning to visit the temple bring so
many things. Even one morsel of rice or one morsel of flour can be offered. It is a regulative
principle that one should not go to see a saintly person or the Deity in the temple without any
offering. The offering may be very humble, or it may be priceless. Even a flower, a little fruit, a
little water—whatever is possible—must be offered.
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 9

The society will be benefited at least by seeing their behavior

.. we are endeavoring to create some ideal men, Kåñëa conscious men, their character, their
behavior, their ideal aim of life. So those who have taken to Kåñëa consciousness seriously, they
should be ideal men. The society will be benefited at least by seeing their behavior. And
Caitanya Mahäprabhu has taught us, äpani äcari prabhu jéveri çikñäya: if you don't behave
yourself as an ideal man, you cannot preach. Your preaching will not be successful.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 6.2.4—September 8, 1975, Vrndavana

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ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA ON DANCING

Raising the hands like Panca-Tattva..

Regarding your question about the dancing, the dancing should be done enthusiastically by
raising the hands like Panca-Tattva. You can also dance enthusiastically by raising hands. All of
Lord Caitanya's followers used to dance with raised hands.
Çréla Prabhupäda Letter to: Kirtanananda—Bombay, 10 November, 1975

Dance like Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Suresvara das: So during the guru-puja, I remember some brahmacaris, they had developed a
kind of boogying, doing rock dancing. This was going on during guru-puja and all of a sudden
Prabhupäda, like a conductor, like a maestro, he stopped the guru-puja cold in an instant and we
were all frozen in place. Then Prabhupäda gestures to the picture of the Panca-tattva in the
distance and how their arms are upraised and he says, “Dance, dance like Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.”
Following Çréla Prabhupäda – Remembrance, DVD 07: July 1974-April 1975

“Yes, of course!” Çréla Prabhupäda replied. “It is very nice.”

Brahmananda and I kept looking at each other as we danced in the kirtan. Without saying a
word, we began to move towards Sri Sri Rukmini Dvarakadisa, moving about ten feet forward
and then back towards Çréla Prabhupäda on the vyasasana. It was not easy to do at first
because no one else was moving with us, but there was always a space in the centre so that
Çréla Prabhupäda could see the Deities. Using that area we began dancing enthusiastically going
back and forth as the kirtan progressed. Within minutes, everyone in the temple room followed.
Hundreds of us were moving back and forth, towards Çréla Prabhupäda and then away again.
He sat there watching all his children dancing wildly as he played karatalas and encouraged us
by the nod of his head. Many of the devotees loved it and Çréla Prabhupäda was smiling as he
watched the devotees dance before him. Pradyumna asked Çréla Prabhupäda if it was all right to
dance in that way. “Yes, of course!” Çréla Prabhupäda replied. “It is very nice.”
What is the Difficulty? – Çrutakérti Dasa,
April 26, 1973 ISKCON Los Angeles, California

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PARIPRAÇNA - INQUIRING SUBMISSIVELY

One must submit questions with a great regard for the speaker
Those who listen to the Bhägavatam may put questions to the speaker in order to elicit the clear
meaning, but this should not be done in a challenging spirit. One must submit questions with a
great regard for the speaker and the subject matter. This is also the way recommended in
Bhagavad-gétä. One must learn the transcendental subject by submissive aural reception from
the right sources.
Purport, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.1.5

If you question just to examine his strength, that will create only fighting spirit.
So questions are required. But that question is not a challenge. You should not question any
person by challenging spirit. You should simply question, being inquisitive to know. That is bona
fide. Otherwise, if you question just to examine his strength, that will create only fighting spirit.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture—September 14, 1969, London

Ask questions on the subject matter discussed..

You put an unnecessary question. When I shall ask you to question the subject matter which I
have discussed, you should put questions on this matter. If you bring so many other subject
matter, there will be no end. Try to understand what we have spoken in this meeting.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 2.1.2-5—October 23, 1968, Montreal

Questions amongst saintly persons..surcharge everything spiritually

When Närada Muni questioned Lord Brahmä about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord
Brahmä thanked Närada Muni for giving him a chance to speak about the Supreme Lord.
Therefore questions put by a saintly person to another saintly person about the Supreme
Personality of Godhead or about the ultimate goal of life surcharge everything spiritually.
Whoever takes advantage of such discussions is benefited both in this life and in the next.
Purport, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.22.19

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VAIÑËAVA CULTURE IN RECEIVING GUESTS

It is only a question of good manners..

The reception law enjoins that a poor man, who has nothing to offer his guest, should be good
enough to offer a straw mat for sitting, a glass of water for drinking and some sweet words.
Therefore, to receive a guest, either friend or foe, there is no expense. It is only a question of
good manners.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.18.28 Purport

Examples from Sastra of Vaiñëava Culture in Receiving Guests

• Bhéñmadeva receives great and powerful åñis SB 1.9

• Citizens of Dvärakädhäma receive Lord Kåñëa SB 1.11
• King Yudhiñöhira receives Vidura SB 1.13
• Mahäräja Parékñit receives Rñis and Kings SB 1.19
• Rantideva receives a Brähmaëa, a çüdra, a caëòäla and some dogs SB 9.21
• Påthu Mahäräja receives the 4 Kumäras, SB Canto 4 Ch 22
• Lord Kåñëa and Balaräma receive Akrura, Krsnabook, Chapter 38
• Lord Kåñëa receives Närada Muni, Krsnabook, Chapter 69
• Lord Kåñëa receives Sudämä, Krsnabook, Chapter 81
• Mågäri receives Närada & Angira Muni, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 24
• Nimai Pantdit receives sannyäsés, Sri Caitanya-bhägavata Adi-khanda 14

Please come and sit down here and take a glass of water…
The injunction is, when you receive somebody, even if you are very poor man, you should offer
the guests a comfortable seat and a glass of water. That is not expensive. You can offer anyone
a seat: “Please come and sit down here and take a glass of water.” And if you can provide, you
can give him nice foodstuff, but even if you have got nothing at your home, this thing you can
offer without any expenditure, without any botheration: to receive him, “Please come on, come
here, sit down. Take a glass of water.” That is the system still.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 2.3.17—July 12, 1969, Los Angeles

Receive his entourage also..

If a householder is to receive a saintly person, he has to receive his entourage also… The fact is
that every householder, regardless of his position or economic condition, can at least receive
saintly guests with great devotion and offer them drinking water, for drinking water is available
always. In India the custom is that even an ordinary person is offered a glass of water if he
suddenly visits and one cannot offer him foodstuff. If there is no water, then one can offer a
sitting place, even if it is on straw mats. And if one has no straw mat, he can immediately
cleanse the ground and ask the guest to sit there. Supposing that a householder cannot even do
that, then with folded hands he can simply receive the guest, saying, “Welcome.” And if he
cannot do that, then he should feel very sorry for his poor condition and shed tears and simply
offer obeisances with his whole family, wife and children. In this way he can satisfy any guest,
even if the guest is a saintly person or a king.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.22.10 Purport

15
This is common etiquette. You should wash a person’s feet when they arrive…
Çréla Prabhupäda stayed in Berkeley for a few days at the cottage of some well-wishers. His
disciples showed him around the house.
“Is there any prasadam?” Çréla Prabhupäda asked, after being seated.
There was nothing available.
“So, bring some fruit,” he instructed. “Bring something for washing my feet. Bring a towel and
some water. This is common etiquette. You should wash a person’s feet when they arrive.”
Çréla Prabhupäda did not need anything from us, but he mercifully showed us the proper way to
honor a guest, what to speak of the spiritual master.
The devotees quickly prepared the items.
“Wash up to my knees,” Çréla Prabhupäda told his disciple who was washing his feet. “This kind
of foot bath refreshes one’s whole body after travelling.”
What is the Difficulty? – Çrutakérti Dasa October 6,
1972, ISKCON Berkeley

Ceremonial Receptions
Worship (with minimum of 2 articles; sandalwood & flowers or 5,10 or 16 upacäras) and gifts are
reserved for the spiritual master and for special occasions, such as weddings or sacrifices.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
5.7: Reception of Guests (atithi-sevä)

No difficulty in offering prasäda to at least four guests every day

According to the Vedic principles, there must always be a guest in the householder's house. In
my childhood I have actually seen my father receive not less than four guests every day, and in
those days my father's income was not very great. Nonetheless, there was no difficulty in
offering prasäda to at least four guests every day.
Caitanya-caritämåta (Madhya 3.41, purport),

Host partakes of the remnants of foodstuff after the guest has given permission
In ceremonies when brähmaëas and Vaiñëavas are sumptuously fed, the host partakes of the
remnants of foodstuff after the guest has given permission. So the descendants of Våñëi and
Bhoja formally took permission from the brähmaëas and ate the prepared foodstuff.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.4.1 Purport

I must offer you all kinds of hospitality, never mind you are my enemy
Therefore we get from our çästra that even you will receive your enemy at home, you will receive
him so friendly way that he'll forget that you are his enemy. Gåhe çatrum api präptaà viçvastam
akutobhayam. He should feel himself so confidential that he's not near his enemy. His dealing
and behavior are so nice. The morality is that “Whatever you may be, you have come to my
house, you are my guest, so I must offer you all kinds of hospitality, never mind you are my
enemy. Now you are my guest.” So how much ethically improved the society was.
Çréla Prabhupäda Philosophy Discussions
Discussions with Syamasundara Dasa

16
…Any guest welcome, but especially a brähmaëa, a sannyäsé is very well received
According to Vedic system, at home a sannyäsé is welcome, a brähmaëa is welcome. Because
they will give good instruction, they are welcome. Just like when Gargamuni came to…Nanda
Mahäräja's house, how nice reception he gave him….Of course, any guest is welcome, but
especially a brähmaëa, a sannyäsé is very well received.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 6.1.31—July 16, 1975, San Francisco

When a Vaiñëava arrives or departs

If one hears that a Vaiñëava is coming one should go forward and welcome him; and when a
Vaiñëava leaves one should follow him up to some distance…
Çréla Bhaktivinode Öhäkura,, (Sajjana Toñaëé 7/3) 60. Service to the Vaisnavas

Follow the departing vehicle as far as possible until it is out of sight…

Karandhara mentioned that the temple leaders had arranged that only a few devotees go with
Prabhupäda the next day to the airport. “Where did this idea come from?” Prabhupäda asked.
“Çrémad-Bhägavatam instructs that when a saintly person leaves your company, all present
should follow the departing vehicle as far as possible, until it is out of sight.”
So the next day the devotees all accompanied Prabhupäda, chanting and dancing behind him
through the long corridors of Los Angeles International Airport. After many months with them, he
was now leaving. Devotees cried.
Çréla Prabhupäda-lilamrta – Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
Volume 4: In Every Town and Village: Around the World 1968-1971

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Atithi sevä

…His arriving unannounced is just what the Lord might do to test His devotee
The Sanskrit word atithi means “not scheduled.” An “unscheduled,” or unexpected guest is
considered a representative of the Supreme Lord, since his arriving unannounced is just what
the Lord might do to test His devotee and see how ready he is to serve Him in any situation.
With this understanding, we should afford the unexpected guest full hospitality.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – ISKCON GBC Press
5.7: Reception of Guests (atithi-sevä)

Householder is to keep always some foodstuff for athiti guest

the guest who comes without any notice, he's called athiti. So according to Hindu custom, the
householder is to keep always some foodstuff for athiti guest. Somebody may come without
notice, so some foodstuff is already in the stock. That is called athiti food.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: ÇB 2.3.17—July 12, 1969, Los Angeles

A Vaiñëava householder must perform Atithi sevä

The difference between Atithi Sevä and Vaiñëava Sevä is that, Atithi Sevä is the religious
principles of the householders and Vaiñëava Sevä is the religious principle of the Vaiñëavas. A
Vaiñëava householder must perform Atithi sevä; because, since he is a house holder he should
serve the guest and since he is a Vaiñëava he should serve the Vaiñëavas.”
Çréla Bhaktivinode Öhäkura, Sajjana Toñaëé 8/2, Service to the Vaisnavas

The homes of jackals

"Homes from which [uninvited] guests go away without having been received even with an
offering of a little water are like those holes in the field which are the homes of jackals."
Çrémad-Bhägavatam (8.16.7)

Summary Guidelines for Receiving Guests

• Offer sitting place

• Offer obeisances
• Offer Prasädam (at least a glass of water)
• Offer sweet words
• Offer worship to Brähmaëa or Sannyäsé guest (at least sandalwood paste)
• Receive entourage also
• Host should take prasädam after guests
• When a Vaiñëava leaves one should follow them up to some distance…

18
19
Lesson 3 Vaiñëava Cleanliness

Lesson Topics
Cleanliness & Consciousness
Kitchen Cleanliness
Maintaining purity (çuddhi-vicära)
Bathing (Snäna)

CLEANLINESS & CONSCIOUSNESS

(om) apavitraù pavitro vä sarvävasthäà gato 'pi vä
yaù smaret puëòarékäkñaà sa bähyäbhyantarah çuciù

Whether pure or impure, or having passed through all conditions of material life, if one can
remember the lotus-eyed Kåñëa, he becomes externally and internally clean.
[Hari-bhakti-viläsa 3.47)
External and internal Cleanliness
Cleanliness is essential for making advancement in spiritual life. There are two kinds of
cleanliness: external and internal. External cleanliness means taking a bath, but for internal
cleanliness one has to think of Kåñëa always and chant Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa,
Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. This process cleans the
accumulated dust of past karma from the mind.
Bhagavad-gétä 13.8-12 Purport

Outside unclean means inside also you'll see unclean… You cannot neglect.
You cannot neglect, because outside unclean means inside also you'll see unclean. If you keep
both sides clean, then you will be healthy inside and outside. Çåëvatäà sva-kathäù kåñëa puëya-
çravaëa-kértanaù hådy antaù stho hy abhadräëi. Abhadräëi, all inauspicious things, that will be
cleaned. They should be washed. To become sacred thread means he must be çuci. Satya
çamaù damaù çaucam, çaucam. One must be very clean. That is brahminism. …. For
cleanliness you simply require water, that's all….
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation – December 11, 1971, New Delhi

You’ll feel always refreshed

You have washed inside and outside, taken your bath, then you'll feel always refreshed. And
unless you feel refreshed, you cannot very nicely chant Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra or serve
Kåñëa. Therefore cleanliness is required.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 1.16.26-30—January 23, 1974, Honolulu

Cloth clean, mind clean, body clean, activities clean, desire clean, thinking clean…
Cleanliness, always clean, taking thrice bath. Cloth clean, mind clean, body clean, activities
clean, desire clean, thinking clean—everything clean. No contamination. This is the test. “I am
doing all nasty things, and I am advertising 'I am advanced devotee.' “What rascal you are
advanced? You are doing all nonsense and you are advanced?
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 1.16.26-30—January 23, 1974, Honolulu

20
It is very easy thing….
I still see those who are initiated as Brahmins, they do not wash their hand after eating even; of
course, there may be so many defects due to your births in non-Brahmin families, but how long it
shall go on? It is very easy thing….
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Hamsaduta—Sydney, 11 April, 1972

Unless purified, anything we use will infect us with contamination

These are çästric injunctions concerning how one can purify everything according to Vedic
civilization. Unless purified, anything we use will infect us with contamination. In India five
thousand years ago, even in the villages such as that of Nanda Mahäräja, people knew know to
purify things, and thus they enjoyed even material life without contamination.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.5.4, Purport

The woman's first duty is to cleanse the whole house

Just like you require water. That is very essential. Especially in the tropical countries, they use
water very profusely for cleansing the whole house, for cleansing the body, for cleansing the
utensils, cleansing the cloth. That is Vedic civilization—cleanliness. “Cleanliness is next to
godliness.” Everyone should take thrice bath, cleanse everything. In India, not in the city but in
the villages, the woman's first duty is to cleanse the whole house, still. Early in the morning they'll
sweep over the whole house…So the first business is cleanliness.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: BG 16.10—February 6, 1975, Honolulu

21
KITCHEN CLEANLINESS

The entire preparation is polluted and can no longer be offered.

If something is taken before being offered to the Deity, the entire preparation is polluted and can
no longer be offered. Those engaged in Deity worship must know this very well so that they may
be saved from committing offenses in Deity worship.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Purport 9:6:8

Kitchen should be considered as good as the Lord's room

Kitchen should be considered as good as the Lord's room, and nobody should wear shoes in the
kitchen, smelling and tasting of foods being prepared for the Lord should never be done, talking
within the kitchen should be only what is necessary for preparing the prasadam, or about the
Lord, and dirty dishes (those taken from kitchen and eaten from) should not be brought back into
the kitchen (but if there is no other place to wash them, then they should be put into sink and
washed immediately.), hands should always be washed when preparing prasadam, and in this
way, everything shall be prepared very cleanly and pure.
Çréla Prabhupäd Letter to: Aniruddha — Montreal 16 June, 1968

The kitchen should be very neat and clean, washed twice daily..
The kitchen should be very neat and clean, washed twice daily, opened nicely and smeared with
water and gobar. And if you see the kitchen, immediately you'll feel comfortable. It is very
cleansly prepared, then offered to the Deity, then you take, automatically your mind becomes
cleansed.
Çréla Prabhupäd Room Conversation -- April 22, 1976, Melbourne

Keeping Leftover Prasadam

No food which has been offered should never be put back into the refrigerator with the unoffered
foods, or brought back into the kitchen. You should prepare as much as can be consumed, and
after offering, nothing should be put back in the refrigerator, or kitchen. Refrigerator should
always be very cleansed and pure. Everyone should be careful to make only as much as they
can eat; they cannot keep any leftovers in refrigerator. I know this is a practice in your country,
but in the temples or at homes of any Krishna Consciousness persons, a person should not
indulge in such unclean habits. If there is any food extra, that should be kept separately; and if
there is a separate refrigerator, not within the kitchen and not having in it any unoffered foods,
then you may have such special refrigerator for leftover prasadam. But it cannot be kept within
the same refrigerator as the unoffered, unprepared foods. That cannot be.
Çréla Prabhupäd Letter to: Aniruddha — Montreal 16 June, 1968

Saving Remnants
I placed the small stone bowl containing salt on Çréla Prabhupäd’s chonki. I assumed that Çréla
Prabhupäd would take as much as he wanted from the stock and leave the rest for future use.
During breakfast, however, Çréla Prabhupäd dipped pieces of fruit directly into the bowl rather
than taking some salt from it onto his plate and leaving the rest. When I cleaned up afterwards I
left the salt bowl on the table, thinking it would be all right to use it for other meals. Though
conversing with the other devotees, Çréla Prabhupäd, as observant as ever, noticed what I did
and immediately rebuked me. Calling me a yavana he complained about our Western eating
habit of saving remnants of food.
Çréla Prabhupäd Anecdote
January 4th 1976 Nellore, Hari Sauri Das

22
MAINTAINING PURITY (ÇUDDHI-VICÄRA)

If you eat a little, still you must wash immediately

So you must live up to the rules and regulations of brahminical life. First and foremost is
cleanliness. In your country they have so many filthy habits. For example, they don't wash after
eating. A brahmana does not do like that. If he did so in India, he would be highly criticized. So
even if you eat a little, still you must wash immediately. And the place that you eat at must be
washed off immediately also. In this way…A brahmana's name is suci, or one who is clean. In
the toilet room wash with water and wash your hands with soap. Then wash feet, face and
mouth. Your cloth must be washed daily, especially any cloth used to sleep in.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Laksmi Narayana—Los Angeles, 8 July, 1971

Wash hands and take the items separately

Çréla Prabhupäd finished eating a little prasadam and then asked me take his plate, along with a
basket of fruit that had been given to him earlier in the evening, down to the temple. The fruit
was to be given to the Deities, and Çréla Prabhupäd’s plate was to be washed off and cleansed.
Picking up his plate in one hand and the fruit in the other, I started for the door, but Çréla
Prabhupäd immediately stopped me. He pointed out that the plate, having been eaten from, was
dirty. I had picked it up, contaminating myself by touching it, and then I touched the fruit to
be offered to the Deity. He told me to wash my hands and take the items separately.
Çréla Prabhupäd Anecdote, New Delhi November 26 1975, Hari Sauri Das

Contaminating ones clothes with a dirty hand

After taking lunch prasadam Çréla Prabhupäd sat at ease in his sitting room for a short while.
Then he walked through the servants’ room to his bedroom to retire for his afternoon nap.
Devotees and I were in the servants’ room, taking our lunch. As he came in, we offered our
obeisances. I was sitting on the floor eating from a bowl with a spoon, and as I knelt back, I put
the spoon down and rested my hand on my knee. Immediately Çréla Prabhupäd looked at me
and said, “Oh, you are eating and then’?” He put his hand on different places of his body as if to
illustrate a child contaminating his clothes with a dirty hand.
Çréla Prabhupäd Anecdote, New Delhi November 27, 1975, Hari Sauri Das

Äcamana
• One should perform äcamana after coughing or sneezing, after sleeping, eating, drinking,
bathing, dressing, spitting, or walking on a road, after urinating or passing stool, and after
talking to caëòälas and mlecchas.
• One should also perform äcamana before eating, studying çästra, or religious activities.
Pancaratra-Pradipa – 4.11: The Six Divisions of Purity (sad-suddhi)

Twelve Impurities (from Manu-saàhitä)

• A person must purify himself by cleansing the body with earth (or soap) and water after he
contacts the first six impurities: fat, semen, blood, marrow, urine, or stool.
• Water alone purifies a person after he contacts the second six impurities: nose mucus,
phlegm, tears, perspiration, earwax, and exudations from the eyes.
• Other contaminating agents are: low animals such as pigs, donkeys, dogs, and crows,
alcohol, ucchiñöa (food remnants), the birth or death of close relatives, the smoke from a
funeral pyre, sinful activities.
Pancaratra-Pradipa, Purity and Impurity (suddhi-vicara), from Manu-saàhitä

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SNÄNA (BATH)

Types of Snäna
• Pärthiva-Snäna (Using Earth)
• Varuëa-Snäna (Using Water)
• Ägneya-Snäna (Using Ashes From A Sacrificial Fire)
• Väyavya-Snäna (Contacting Air Filled With Dust Raised By Cows)
• Divya-Snäna (Taking An Ethereal Bath In The Rain That Falls While The Sun Is Shining)
• Mantra-Snäna (Chanting Appropriate Verses While Sprinkling Oneself With Water
• Mänasika-Snäna (Meditating On Viñëu).

All these types of bath purify the body of contamination. However, the daily bath is usually the
väruëa-snäna. Manu states that the best of baths is the mänasika-snäna.

The Kürma Puräëa says that without taking the prätaù-snäna (bath before sunrise) one remains
impure and cannot perform any of the daily activities a civilized person must perform…
The Padma Puräëa declares that one who does not bathe in the morning is a sinner fit to suffer
in hell. Prätaù-snäna is compulsory for all, except those who are ill…
(In the case where a water bath is not possible, simply rub the body with a clean, damp cloth. If
this is not possible, at least take a mantra bath and a mental bath.)
Pancaratra-Pradipa
1.6: Taking a bath (snana)
General Guidelines on Bathing
• A person should bathe to purify himself after sex, a bad dream, shaving and cutting hair,
cutting the fingernails or toenails, vomiting, evacuation, going to the crematorium, or after
touching a dead body, a woman in her menstrual cycle, a caëòäla, or a dead animal or its fat
or bones.
• Do not bathe naked. Wear a kaupéna or a cloth with a tail tucked in at the back (kaccha).
This shows respect to the personality of the water…
• Before bathing in the morning, you must clean your mouth and teeth (danta-dhävana.
• During evacuation, wind your upavéta (Gäyatré thread) at least two times around your right
ear as it remains pure even when the rest of the body becomes impure, for all the holy
térthas reside in the right ear.
• A woman purifies herself during her menstrual cycle by bathing on the fourth day (väruëa-
snäna). A woman possessing a bad mind is purified by her menstrual flow.
Pancaratra-Pradipa
1.6: Taking a bath (snana)

For ladies…taking a bath up to the neck is ordinarily prescribed..

According to the småti-çästra's directions for daily duties, ladies are allowed to bathe daily up to
the neck. The hair on the head does not necessarily have to be washed daily because the mass
of wet hair may cause a cold. For ladies, therefore, taking a bath up to the neck is ordinarily
prescribed, and they take a full bath only on certain occasions…When a lady takes an ordinary
bath it is called mala-snäna, and when she takes a full bath, including the head, it is called çiraù-
snäna. At this time she needs sufficient oil to smear on her head. That is the direction of the
commentators of småti-çästra.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.23.31 Purport

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Menstrual Period
According to the smarta vidhi, women cannot touch deity during menstrual period but the
goswami viddhi allows. But it is better not to do it. One thing is that the seva can never be
stopped for any reason. This also for the cooking.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Amsu. Vrindavan August 13th 1974.
Sources of water
Different sources of water have different powers to cleanse. Thus there is a grading of water
according to source. In order of preference, beginning with the best, one should bathe in the
Yamunä or Gaìgä; in another holy river; at a tértha (such as the ocean at Jagannätha Püré); a
river that runs directly into the sea; in any river; canal; pond; lake; waterfall; or water drawn from
a well, or any other clean water.
Pancaratra-Pradipa
1.6: Taking a bath (snana)
Householders should bathe two times a day
Householders and vänaprasthas should bathe two times a day (prätar-madhyaùnayoù snänaà
vänaprastha-gåhasthayoù). A sannyäsé should bathe three times daily, and a brahmacäré may
take only one bath a day. Whenever a person is not able to bathe in water, he can bathe by
chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra.
Cc. Madhya 24.331, purport
Follow the hygienic principles prescribed in the Vedic rules
Whether one lives in India or outside of India, he is called a yavana or mleccha if he does not
follow the Vedic principles. One who does not actually follow the hygienic principles prescribed in
the Vedic rules and regulations will be subjected to many contagious diseases. Because the
students in this Kåñëa consciousness movement are advised to follow the Vedic principles, they
naturally become hygienic.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.27.24 Purport

Otherwise where is the proof that he loves Krishna.

What is the difficulty of enforcing these rules? They are rules, and they are simple rules, and
must be followed. One must be prepared to follow the rules for Krishna. Otherwise where is the
proof that he loves Krishna.
Çréla Prabhupäd Letter to: Aniruddha — Montreal 16 June, 1968

25
Lesson 4 Prasäda-sevä

Lesson Topics
Çréla Prabhupäda Selected Quotes on Prasädam
Prasäda-sevä from Caitanya-lélä
Çréla Prabhupäda Prasäda-sevä Anecdotes
Guidelines for Serving Prasädam
Guidelines for Honoring Prasädam

ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA SELECTED QUOTES ON PRASÄDAM

This system pleases Kåñëa more than anything else..

Kåñëa is more pleased when grains and ghee, instead of being offered in the fire, are prepared
as prasäda and distributed, first to the brähmaëas and then to others. This system pleases
Kåñëa more than anything else….In our saìkértana movement or Hare Kåñëa movement, we
offer sumptuous prasäda to the Deity and later distribute the same prasäda to the brähmaëas,
the Vaiñëavas and then to the people in general.
Purport, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.14.17

Prasädam is never polluted even if it is touched by the mouth of a caëòäla.

A pure Vaiñëava, or a person on the paramahaàsa stage, accepts the remnants of food (mahä-
prasädam) as spiritual. He does not consider it to be material or sense gratificatory. He accepts
mahä-prasädam not as ordinary dhal and rice but as spiritual substance. To say nothing of the
remnants of food left by a pure Vaiñëava, prasädam is never polluted even if it is touched by the
mouth of a caëòäla. Indeed, it retains its spiritual value. Therefore by eating or touching such
mahä-prasädam, a brähmaëa is not degraded. There is no question of being polluted by
touching the remnants of such food. Actually, by eating such mahä-prasädam, one is freed from
all the contaminations of the material condition. That is the verdict of the çästra.
Purport, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 3.98

“Maha-prasadam is not to be heated up”

After our arrival in the morning Çréla Prabhupäda informed me he wanted the Deities’ maha-
prasadam for lunch…When the maha arrived from the temple, I started to heat it up. While in the
kitchen, a devotee came in and told me that Çréla Prabhupäda wanted his prasadam. “I am
heating it up,” I told him. “I will bring it in right away.”
In an instant they returned and said, “Çréla Prabhupäda is angry, he wants it now.” Trembling, I
went into his room and offered my obeisances. He was shouting before I lifted my head.
“Why are you heating up the prasadam?” he asked. “Maha-prasadam is not to be heated up. I
want it now. I did not want it heated up. I just wanted the prasadam. You bring it now.”
What is the Difficulty? – Çrutakérti Dasa
September 15, 1973, ISKCON Juhu Beach, Mumbai, India

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…I was taught by my parents never to waste Kåñëa's energy
Çréla Prabhupäda: ….In my childhood I was taught by my parents never to waste Kåñëa's
energy. They taught me that if even a small grain of rice was stuck between the floorboards, I
should pick it up, touch it to my forehead and eat it to save it from being wasted. I was taught
how to see everything in relation to Kåñëa. That is Kåñëa consciousness. We therefore do not
like to see anything wasted or misused.
Life Comes from Life, The Tenth Morning Walk: May 14, 1973

“Whoever had spilled that rice will have to suffer…”

….Once Prabhupäda walked to the prasadam room and saw a grain of rice on the floor. He said,
“Whoever had spilled that rice will have to suffer. That's Krishna. Prasadam should not be
wasted.”
Çréla Prabhupäda – Remembrances, Gauridas Pandit (Siddhanta Dasa, ITV

“Take as much prasadam as you want, but eat everything that you take…”
“You should eat as much as you can digest,” Prabhupäda) often said. “Take as much prasadam
as you want, but eat everything that you take. Not one grain of rice should be wasted.”
What is the Difficulty – Çrutakérti Dasa
June 21, 1973, ISKCON Mayapur, India
Don’t eat more. Don't eat less also..
So you cannot eat more or you cannot eat less. You just eat what you require. If you eat more
then you must be diseased. And if you eat less, you must be diseased…Yuktähära-vihärasya
yogo bhavati siddhi.... You are not to starve, but don't eat more. Our program, kåñëa-prasäda, is
that you eat kåñëa-prasäda. Eating is required, you have to keep your body fit for any practice.
So eating is required. But don't eat more. Don't eat less also. We don't say that you eat less. If
you can eat ten pounds, eat. But if you cannot eat ten pounds, out of avarice, out of greediness
you eat pounds, then you will suffer.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: BG 6.13-15—February 16, 1969, Los Angeles

This is Äyurvedic law

Suppose I can eat so much. And if I eat more, then I get indigestion. That is the punishment of
the laws of nature. I get dysentery. Then I'll have to starve for three days because I've eaten
more…In the BG it is said if you want to be a yogi or spiritualist, you should not take more than
what you can digest...Yuktähära. You can satisfy your hunger, but according to yogic principle.
Or from health point of view, even if you can eat so much, you can understand that “I can eat so
much,” you should not eat the whole thing. You should eat half. And one fourth you shall fill up
with water, and one fourth you should leave vacant so that there may be ventilation, your
digestion will be easily done. This is Äyurvedic law…Then there will be no disease. It is hygienic
principle. And as soon as you eat more than what you can digest, you become diseased. That
means you are punished.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: August 26, 1973, London

Serve in rows
That is the Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down
the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some
objection by a person then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and
down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and
everyone is satisfied.
Çréla Prabhupäda Letter to: Kirtiraja—Vrndavana, 27 November, 1971

27
One can always remain on the spiritual platform…
One should take prasädam with great faith and should chant the holy name of the Lord and
worship the Deity in the temple, always remembering that the Deity, mahä-prasädam and
the holy name do not belong to the mundane platform. By worshiping the Deity, eating
prasädam and chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, one can always remain on the
spiritual platform…
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 11.209 Purport

Immediately he touches on the head because it is Kåñëa ..

It is called prasäda-sevä, not “prasäda enjoyment.” Sevä means giving service. Prasäda is as
good as Kåñëa; therefore prasäda should be respected as good as Kåñëa. As soon as one gets
prasädam, immediately he touches on the head because it is Kåñëa, Absolute. In this way we
have to be trained up as it is prescribed in the çästras.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.1.18—July 1, 1975, Denver

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PRASÄDA-SEVÄ FROM CAITANYA-LÉLÄ
& ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA PRASÄDA-SEVÄ ANECDOTES

Nimäi Paëòita Serves prasädam to Twenty Sannyäsés

Nimäi Paëòita would frequently receive gifts from various classes of people in Navadvépa. He set
the perfect example as a householder and was as charitable as the Supreme Lord Himself.
Whenever Nimäi saw a poor person, He would kindly offer him food, clothing or money. In this way
Nimäi generously distributed gifts to the poor. An endless stream of guests visited the Lord's
house. The Lord offered each one respect according to his position and rendered him service to
his full satisfaction. On some days sannyäsés would visit His house and the Lord would serve them
graciously. Once twenty sannyäsés came at one time, so the Lord sent word to His mother to cook
for all of them. Mother Çacé fell into immediate anxiety for she had nothing in the house to feed
twenty sannyäsés. Lost in her problem she did not notice that someone had brought all the
different ingredients she might require and left them in the kitchen. Lakñmé Devi immediately went
to the kitchen and, pleased with the array of ingredients, she cooked some special preparations.
After the cooking, the Lord checked the arrangements and then invited the sannyäsés to sit down.
He supervised the serving of their prasäda and He satisfied each one of them personally. In this
way the Lord satisfied all His guests and taught the world how to behave as a perfect
householder. The foremost duty of a householder is to serve his guest and responsible
householders live by that standard. The householder who does not serve and satisfy his guests
properly is worse than an animal or a bird. Even those who because of their previous impious
activities have insufficient means to be hospitable can at least offer a place to sit, some water and
a place to rest. That simple hospitality is sufficient to satisfy any guest if it is offered with love and
affection. A householder who is pious may be poverty stricken and possess very little with which to
serve a guest, but his disposition should be hospitable. He can offer drinking water and water with
which the guest can wash his feet. He can offer a grass mat on which the guest can sit or rest to
become refreshed and he can offer sweet words to please the eary ears of the traveller. The host
must endeavor with all humility to keep the guest from leaving his house and beg forgiveness for
any mistakes in his humble hospitality. A householder who sincerely tries to satisfy his guests
even though his means are meager is considered hospitable. The Supreme Personality of
Godhead set the example of a perfect householder and repeatedly asked his guests if they had
any further needs or if they were satisfied. Those guests of course were the most fortunate souls
for Çrémati Lakñmé, the Goddess of Fortune, and Supreme Personality of God, Näräyaëa, the
proprietor of the entire cosmic manifestation, personally fed them. Because of the wonderful
activities of the Supreme Lord, that divine food which is cherished by great souls like Lord Brahma
and other demigods was distributed to common people and ordinary citizens in Navadvépa.
Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, Ädi-khaëòa 14.10-28

Nimäi Paëòita Serves Prasädam to Çréla Éçvara Puré

Completing his pilgrimage in all the places and satisfying all the brahmana priests he returned to
his place of residence. He rested for a while, then feeling refreshed from rest He made
preparations for cooking. As he completed the last preparation Çréla Éçvara Puré
came to visit him. Intoxicated from chanting the holy name of Krishna and feeling ecstatic love for
the Lord he walked into the room swaying as if drunk. The Lord immediately left his cooking and
the kitchen and offered his respectful obeisances and sat him down comfortably. Laughing Çréla

29
Éçvara Puré said, "O Pandita, I have come certainly at the right time." The Lord replied, "When
good fortune has smiled upon me today by sending you here, I pray that you will please accept
some rice prasädam." Çréla Purépäda smiled and said, "But then what will you have?" The Lord
replied, "I will cook some rice for me now." Çréla Purépäda asked, "What is the use of cooking
again? Whatever you have already cooked, let us share that amongst ourselves." Smiling the Lord
replied, "Whatever is already prepared that is all for you, in no time I can prepare something
afresh, please do not feel hesitant, you eat first." Offering to Éçvara Puré what he had cooked for
himself the Lord went back into the kitchen and began preparing food once again. Feeling great
happiness the Lord exhibited so much mercy to Éçvara Puré and Çréla Purépäda also had no other
thought in mind other than Krishna. The Lord served Çréla Purépäda with his own hands and Çréla
Purépäda relished the Lord's cooking with great delight. While this was going on Roma Devi,
Çrémati Lakñmé, the Goddess of fortune personally appeared and cooked for the Lord unseen by
anyone in the kitchen. Seeing to that Çréla Purépäda was fully satisfied the Lord sat down to eat.
These transcendental activities of the Lord and His devotees are so wonderful that anyone who
hears them with faith and sincerity is immediately granted unalloyed devotional service at the lotus
feet of Lord Kåñëa. The Lord with His own hands then smeared sandalwood paste on the body of
Éçvara Puré.
Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, Ädi-khaëòa 17.79-95

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu accepts prasädam at the house of Advaita

After returning from from Rämakeli, Mahäprabhu visited the house of Advaita in Çäntipura….As
mother Çacé went to cook in great satisfaction, with love she thought, “Gauracandra is Lord
Näräyaëa Himself.” Mother Çacé cooked such a variety of vegetable preparations that I do not
know the names of them all. Mother Çacé knew that the Lord was very fond of çäka (spinach), so
she cooked twenty different varieties. To her full satisfaction mother Çacé cooked each vegetable
in ten to twenty different ways. After cooking numerous preparations, she took them to the dining
room. She put the rice and the vegetables on the plates and then placed tulasé maïjarés on top.
She placed rice and vegetable preparations in rows on all sides, and then she placed a fine seat in
the middle. Mahäprabhu then came with His associates to eat. When the Lord saw the
arrangement of rice and vegetable preparations, He offered His full obeisances. The Lord said,
“What to speak of eating this rice, one is freed from material bondage just by seeing it. “I am
unable to describe such cooking. Even by smelling this rice one develops devotion to Kåñëa.
“I think Kåñëa and His associates have personally tasted this rice.”
After speaking these words, Lord Gauräìga circumambulated the rice and sat down to eat.
with great satisfaction.
Yet of all the preparations, the çäka preparations were most glorious, for the Lord repeatedly ate
them. On seeing the Lord's fondness for çäka, all of His devotees smiled.
The Lord smiled and glorified the çäka preparations as He ate. The Lord said, “This çäka is known
as acyutä. By eating this, one develops attachment for Kåñëa. “By eating paöala, västuka, and käla
çäkas, one enjoys the Vaiñëavas' association birth after birth.
“By eating säliïcä and heleïcäçäka, one remains free from disease and attains the devotional
service of Kåñëa.” The Lord's hairs stood on end as He narrated in this way the glories of the
various çäkas while eating. Only the thousand-headed Ananta knows the happiness that the Lord
enjoyed while eating that day….If a living entity hears or reads about these glorious pastimes, he
is freed from the bondage of ignorance.
After finishing His pastime of eating, Mahäprabhu washed His hands and sat down.

30
As soon as the Lord washed His hands, the devotees began to plunder His remnants.
Someone said, “What right does a brähmaëa have to eat these remnants? I am a çüdra, so I am
qualified to eat them.” Someone else said, “I am not a brähmaëa,” and another person grabbed
some remnants and ran away. Someone said, “Çüdras are not qualified to eat remnants. You
should try to understand whether this is right or wrong according to the scriptures.” Another
person said, “I do not want any remnants, I will simply take the empty plate and go.” Someone
else said, “I have always thrown out the empty plates, but now out of arrogance you are taking my
duty.” Who would not hanker for remnants of the food that was cooked by mother Çacé and tasted
by the Lord?
Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, Antya-khaëòa 4. 270-313

The Passing of Çréla Haridäsa Öhäkura

Approaching the Siàha-dvära gate, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu spread His cloth and began to beg
prasädam from all the shopkeepers there.
“I am begging prasädam for a festival honoring the passing away of Haridäsa
Hearing this, all the shopkeepers immediately came forward with big baskets of prasädam, which
they jubilantly delivered to Lord Caitanya….
Svarüpa Dämodara said to all the shopkeepers, “Deliver to me four palmfuls of prasädam from
each and every item.”
In this way varieties of prasädam were collected, then packed up in different loads and carried on
the heads of the four servants.
Not only did Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé bring prasädam, but Väëénätha Paööanäyaka and Käçé
Miçra also sent large quantities.
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu made all the devotees sit in rows and personally began to distribute the
prasädam, assisted by four other men.
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu was not accustomed to taking prasädam in small quantities. He
therefore put on each plate what at least five men could eat.
Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé requested Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, “Please sit down and watch.
With these men to help me, I shall distribute the prasädam.”
The four men—Svarüpa Dämodara, Jagadänanda, Käçéçvara and Çaìkara—distributed the
prasädam continuously.
All the devotees who sat down would not eat the prasädam as long as the Lord had not eaten. On
that day, however, Käçé Miçra had extended an invitation to the Lord.
Therefore Käçé Miçra personally went there and delivered prasädam to Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu
with great attention and made Him eat.
With Paramänanda Puré and Brahmänanda Bhäraté, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu sat down and
accepted the prasädam. When He began to eat, so did all the Vaiñëavas.
Everyone was filled up to the neck because Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu kept telling the distributors,
“Give them more! Give them more!”
After all the devotees finished accepting prasädam and had washed their hands and mouths, Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu decorated each of them with a flower garland and sandalwood pulp.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya-lila 11.73-90

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The Beòä-kértana Pastimes of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

After bathing in the sea, Advaita Prabhu and all the other devotees returned, and on their return
they saw the top of the Jagannätha temple. They then went to the residence of Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu to take their luncheon. One after the other, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu made all the
devotees sit in their proper places. He then began to distribute prasädam with His own
transcendental hand. All the devotees were served prasädam on plantain leaves, and Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu distributed on each leaf a quantity suitable for two or three men to eat, for His hand
could not distribute less than that. All the devotees kept their hands raised over the prasädam
distributed to them, for they did not want to eat without seeing the Lord eat first. Svarüpa
Dämodara Gosvämé then informed Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, “Unless You sit and take prasädam,
no one will accept it. “Gopénätha Äcärya has invited all the sannyäsés who remain with You to
come and take prasädam.
“Gopénätha Äcärya has already come, bringing sufficient remnants of food to distribute to all the
sannyäsés, and sannyäsés like Paramänanda Puré and Brahmänanda Bhäraté are waiting for You.
“You may sit down and accept the luncheon with Nityänanda Prabhu, and I shall distribute the
prasädam to all the Vaiñëavas.”

After this, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu carefully delivered some prasädam into the hands of Govinda
to be given to Haridäsa Öhäkura. Then Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu personally sat down to accept
lunch with the other sannyäsés, and Gopénätha Äcärya began to distribute the prasädam with great
pleasure. Then Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé, Dämodara Paëòita and Jagadänanda all began to
distribute prasädam to the devotees with great pleasure.
They ate all kinds of cakes and sweet rice, filling themselves up to their throats, and at intervals
they vibrated the holy name of the Lord in great jubilation. After everyone had finished his lunch
and washed his mouth and hands, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu personally decorated everyone with
flower garlands and sandalwood pulp. After thus accepting prasädam, they all went to take rest at
their respective residences, and in the evening they again came to meet Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 11.198-211

Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu Tastes Nectar from the Lips of Lord Çré Kåñëa

One day, when Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu went to visit the temple of Lord Jagannätha…
The offering of food known as gopäla-vallabha-bhoga was then given to Lord Jagannätha, and
ärati was performed with the sound of the conch and the ringing of bells. When the ärati finished,
the prasädam was taken out, and the servants of Lord Jagannätha came to offer some to Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
The servants of Lord Jagannätha first garlanded Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and then offered Him
Lord Jagannätha’s prasädam. The prasädam was so nice that its aroma alone, to say nothing of
its taste, would drive the mind mad. The prasädam was made of very valuable ingredients.
Therefore the servant wanted to feed Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu a portion of it.
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu tasted a portion of the prasädam. Govinda took the rest and bound it in
the end of his wrapper. To Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu the prasädam tasted millions upon millions of
times better than nectar, and thus He was fully satisfied. The hair all over His body stood on end,
and incessant tears flowed from His eyes. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu considered, “Where has such
a taste in this prasädam come from? Certainly it is due to its having been touched by the nectar of
Kåñëa’s lips.” Understanding this, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu felt an emotion of ecstatic love for

32
Kåñëa, but upon seeing the servants of Lord Jagannätha, He restrained Himself. The Lord said
again and again, “Only by great fortune may one come by a particle of the remnants of food
offered to the Lord.”
The servants of the Jagannätha temple inquired, “What is the meaning of this?”
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu replied, “These are remnants of food that Kåñëa has eaten and thus
turned to nectar with His lips. It surpasses heavenly nectar, and even such demigods as Lord
Brahmä find it difficult to obtain. “Remnants left by Kåñëa are called phelä. Anyone who obtains
even a small portion must be considered very fortunate.
Çré Caitanya-caritämåta , Antya-lélä 16. 81-102

The Liberation of Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu went to see Lord Jagannätha in the temple, and He saw the Lord rise
from His bed. The priest there presented Him with garlands and prasädam that had been offered
to Lord Jagannätha. This pleased Caitanya Mahäprabhu very much. Carefully tying the prasädam
and garlands in a cloth, Caitanya Mahäprabhu hastened to the house of Särvabhauma
Bhaööäcärya. He arrived at the Bhaööäcärya’s house a little before sunrise, just when the
Bhaööäcärya was arising from bed. As Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya arose from bed, he distinctly
chanted, “Kåñëa, Kåñëa.” Lord Caitanya was very pleased to hear him chant the holy name of
Kåñëa. The Bhaööäcärya noticed Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu outside, and with great haste he went
to Him and offered prayers unto His lotus feet.
The Bhaööäcärya offered a carpet for the Lord to sit upon, and both of them sat there. Then Çré
Caitanya Mahäprabhu opened the prasädam and placed it in the hands of the Bhaööäcärya.
At that time the Bhaööäcärya had not even washed his mouth, nor had he taken his bath or finished
his morning duties. Nonetheless, he was very pleased to receive the prasädam of Lord
Jagannätha. By the mercy of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, all the dullness in the mind of
Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya was eradicated. After reciting the following two verses, he ate the
prasädam offered to him. The Bhaööäcärya quoted the Padma Puräëa saying, “‘One should eat the
mahä-prasädam of the Lord immediately upon receiving it, even though it is dried up, stale or
brought from a distant country. One should consider neither time nor place.
na deça-niyamas tatra na käla-niyamas tathä
präptam annaà drutaà çiñöair bhoktavyaà harir abravét
“‘The prasädam of Lord Kåñëa is to be eaten by gentlemen as soon as it is received; there should
be no hesitation. There are no regulative principles concerning time and place. This is the order of
the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’”
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu was very pleased to see this. He became ecstatic in love of Godhead
and embraced Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya.
The Lord and the servant embraced each other and began to dance. Simply by touching each
other, they became ecstatic. As they danced and embraced, spiritual symptoms manifested in
their bodies. They perspired, trembled and shed tears, and the Lord began to speak in His
ecstasy. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu said, “Today I have conquered the three worlds very easily.
Today I have ascended to the spiritual world.” Caitanya Mahäprabhu continued, “I think that today
all My desires have been fulfilled because I see that Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya has acquired faith
in the mahä-prasädam of Lord Jagannätha.
“Indeed, today you have undoubtedly taken shelter of the lotus feet of Kåñëa, and Kåñëa, without
reservation, has become very merciful toward you. “My dear Bhaööäcärya, today … your mind has
become fit to take shelter of the lotus feet of Kåñëa because, surpassing the Vedic regulative
principles, you have eaten the remnants of food offered to the Lord.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 6.216-234

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ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA PRASÄDA-SEVÄ ANECDOTES

Änanda Prabhu’s cooking and serving of prasadam

Prabhupäda's Godbrother Änanda was eager to cook and serve not only Çréla Prabhupäda but all
his disciples. Änanda was elderly, and yet he took the position of always offering menial service.
Although he spoke very little English, Prabhupäda's disciples could perceive the affection of
Änanda and Çréla Prabhupäda for each other. Änanda's communication with Prabhupäda's
disciples was particularly through his cooking and serving of prasädam.
Each morning everyone would gather on the veranda outside Prabhupäda's quarters, the men
sitting on one side, the ladies on the other. Down the center aisle Änanda would walk briskly,
distributing prasädam, while Prabhupäda sat at one end in a wooden chair, fingering his japa
beads and observing the devotees take prasädam. Prabhupäda had supplied money to the
äçrama, and Änanda was regularly cooking sumptuous feasts: deep-fried chunks of potatoes in
powdered spices, rice, yogurt, däl, three different types of sabjés, french fries, chutney, malpurä,
räjkeli, sandeça, kñéra-and everything cooked to a nectarean standard of excellence.
Prabhupäda would sit at the head of the two rows of devotees and encourage them to take
prasädam: “Give him more!” Prabhupäda would praise Änanda's cooking, smiling with pleasure to
see his disciples accept prasädam. The devotees would finish, having been induced to eat as
much as they possibly could, and Çréla Prabhupäda would say aloud the prema-dhvani. Then all
the devotees would shout in response, “Jaya!”
After one such feast, Prabhupäda called the devotees into his room and remarked, “See how he is
cooking. He cooks everything, he serves it, and then he doesn't eat until everyone is fully satisfied.
This is Vaiñëava, how he should act. He is more satisfied to serve than to enjoy himself.”
Çréla Prabhupäda Lilamrta – Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
Volume 5: Let There Be A Temple: India/Around the World 1971-1975

Çréla Prabhupäda with his secretaries

I was still cleaning the kitchen up and the plates of Prabhupäda’s personal servants had been left
outside of the kitchen. The devotees hadn't finished their prasadam that day, so there were some
remnants on their plates. Prabhupäda came into the kitchen to go to his bathroom and he saw
these plates, and he called me and he said, “What is this?” And I saw the plates. Normally I would
have taken them and washed them right away. I said, “Oh, that's a mistake, Prabhupäda, I was
supposed to clean them.” And he looked quite displeased. So immediately Prabhupäda walked
through his house to the front room where his secretaries lived, and seeing that Prabhupäda was
displeased I picked up the plates and came the back way to show Brahmananda what
Prabhupäda had seen and how he wasn't happy about it. So simultaneously Prabhupäda came
from one door and I came from another door with the plates in my hands, and Prabhupäda called
me in and had me show them the plates with the prasadam on it. And he explained to them that no
matter who you are, no matter whether you're GBC or anyone, once you touch the plate, whatever
is on that plate you have to finish it because it's prasadam. You shouldn't leave any prasadam on
the plate. So Brahmananda jokingly said, “But Prabhupäda, I had burped. I thought that after you
burped you couldn't finish it.” Prabhupäda then said, “You can take off first. If they've given you too
much, before you start, you take off and that doesn't have to be completed. But whatever you
have on your plate when you start, you have to finish that prasadam.” So he was telling the
topmost members of our society, the GBCs and personal secretaries, they had to finish their
prasadam.
Daivisakti DD: Çréla Prabhupäda – Remembrances
(Siddhanta Dasa, ITV, Chapter 30)

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GUIDELINES FOR SERVING PRASÄDAM
• Ideally, prasäda should be served by initiated Vaiñëavas.
• Be pure in mind, body & dress
• Avoid loud talking and noises—e.g. don’t drag buckets noisily along the floor
• Both men and women be served simultaneously.
• In an assembly that includes children and elderly people, they should be served first.
• Senior devotees may sit at the head of a line and thus be served first.
• Serve water first. Place salt and cut lemon on each plate before serving begins
• Neither you nor serving utensils should touch plates or hands of those eating.
• Gently drop the prasäda on a free area of the plate (not on the salt, for example), taking care
not to cause liquid items to splash or solid items to bounce or scatter.
• Except when serving sweets, water (or another drink), or dry items (including capätés,
samosäs, pakoräs, päpadams etc.), you should serve prasäda with a spoon.
• Use only your right hand to serve prasäda, and do not touch anything impure (your mouth,
feet, hair, or lower body). Nor should you yawn, sneeze, or spit.
• The serving vessels should not touch anyone's feet.
• The guest should never be left with an empty plate except at the end of the meal.
• You or the host may describe the wonderful qualities of an item as you offer it.
• Everyone sitting should be offered the same items. (Those with special diets should eat
separately.)

THE ORDER IN WHICH FOODS ARE SERVED

• Bitter foods, such as çukta and spinach
• Däl and savories then other sabjés, progressing from lighter to richer and from wet to dry.
Richer wet sabjés are served again, followed by raitas and chutneys.
• Finally they serve sweets, progressing from less to more sweet.
• Rice and capätés should be offered from the very beginning and replenished as required.
• Never serve dry items or sweets in threes, but always give one, two or four pieces of these
items at a time, since three are given to an enemy. (See Prabhupäda Conversation below..)

Pancaratra-Pradipa—ISKCON GBC Press

5.5: Serving and Honoring Prasada (Prasäda-sevä)
Three is given to the enemy
Prabhupäda: Sweets.
George Harrison: Very well.
Prabhupäda: Sweet will help you digest. Don't give three—at least four.
George Harrison: I won't be able to eat much more.
Prabhupäda: Three is given to the enemy. According to our Indian system, if you give somebody
three, that means he is enemy.
Çréla Prabhupäda Conversation with George Harrison—July 26, 1976, London

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GUIDELINES FOR HONORING PRASÄDAM
• You should be clean when you take your meal, having washed your hands, feet, and mouth.
• Also, your çikhä should be bound, your head uncovered (for men), and your feet bare.
• Prasada is best honored in a peaceful, happy and relaxed mood.
• You should eat in a clean, peaceful place, sit on a unbroken äsana, using an unbroken plate.
• When two or more persons are honoring prasäda together, they should not discuss material
affairs. Any discussion should consist of light conversation relating to Kåñëa consciousness
or glorifying the prasäda. One devotee who is not eating may read aloud from çästra.
• While honouring do not find fault with the taste of the prasäda.
• If possible, avoid eating in a vehicle.
• Sastra states that one should not eat or even drink water, while sitting on a bed. (Manu 4.74)
• As far as possible, men and women should preferably sit separately when eating.
• It is generally advisable not to eat in the presence of unknown or inimical persons.
• One should not eat any food that has been prepared by a woman in her menses.
• Among foodstuffs that are not for consumption and should be rejected are that in which a
hair or insect is found (Manu 4.207), or which has been sneezed on (Manu 4.208)
• Do not eat at the sandhyäs (sunrise, noon, or sunset), before bathing, or before performing
Gäyatré japa or your morning Deity worship.
• One must also avoid taking food in the darkness, as this may attract ghosts.
• Also, do not eat until the food from the previous meal has been digested.
• Eat with your legs crossed, not spread, and do not keep the plate in your lap.
• When eating in a group, no one should start eating until everyone in the group has some
prasada on their plate, and everyone can begin honoring together.
• If a devotee senior to others is present, no one should start honoring prasada until he does.
• If someone enters the room where you are taking prasäda, immediately invite him to sit
down and eat as well.
• After one has begun eating prasada, the right hand is considered contaminated (even when
one eats with a spoon or similar utensil), and one should not touch anything else with it,
including other parts of the body.
• While eating one should place one’s left hand on his lap. If one keeps his left hand on the
ground, all the energy he derives from the foodstuffs will be sapped by the earth.
• The water cup should be kept to the right hand side of one’s plate, otherwise one’s food and
water both become impure.
• Tear large items with the fingers of the right hand and then place the small pieces in the
mouth. Do not take large items by taking it in your mouth and tearing it with your teeth.
• It is appropriate to chant the prema-dhvani at the end of a meal, before rising to leave.
• After finishing a meal, waiting for others to finish, you may chant aloud çlokas and prayers.
• Out of respect for others who are still eating, all persons in a row should wait for others in
the same row to finish before rising.
• After rising from the meal, wash your hands, mouth at least three times, and your feet.

Pancaratra-Pradipa—ISKCON GBC Press

5.5: Serving and Honoring Prasada (Prasäda-sevä)

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Lesson 5 Vaiñëava Dress

Appropriate and inappropriate methods of Vaiñëava recreation

Dress and Mentality
Vaiñëava & Regular Dress
Vaiñëava Dress Standards
The benefits of Vaiñëava dress for ISKCON’s communities & preaching

Recreation & Sports

You can go and swim. Just make sure you remember Kåñëa…
Päïcajanya: I was a new devotee, and I asked Prabhupäda, “What about swimming, Çréla
Prabhupäda? Is that not mäyä?” Prabhupäda said, “Lord Caitanya used to go swimming all the
time. He used to play ball. So you can go and swim. Just make sure you remember Kåñëa.”
Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta – Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami
Volume 5: Let There be a Temple: India/Around the World 1971-1975

We don't allow unnecessary sporting…This is simply waste of time

And the fourth restriction is that you cannot take part in gambling or some unnecessary sporting
because you have to utilize your time. Your time is very short. If you miss this opportunity of
human form of life... Because we do not know when death is coming….So the principle is that
because this human form of life is so important to perfect oneself in Kåñëa consciousness, he
should not waste even a minute. You see? So therefore we don't allow unnecessary sporting.
Srila Prabhupada Interview—March 9, 1968, San Francisco

WATER SPORT PASTIMES OF ÇRÉ KÅÑËA CAITANYA

Pastimes of Çré Kåñëa Caitanya in the waters of Narendra-sarovara.

O brothers, now hear the pastimes performed by Çré Kåñëa Caitanya in the waters of Narendra-
sarovara. Previously the Lord and His cowherd boyfriends formed circles and enjoyed water
sports in the Yamunä. In the same way the Lord and His devotees now formed circles in the water
by holding each other’s hands. They began their water sports with one well-known Bengali water
sport named “Kayä.”
The Vaiñëavas called out, “Kayä! Kayä!” They clapped their hands in the water and produced
musical sounds by hitting the water in a certain way.
The devotees became absorbed in the mood of the cowherd boys of Gokula, and the Lord
accepted the mood of Kåñëa, the Lord of Gokula. Overwhelmed in ecstasy, the devotees forgot
everything and fearlessly splashed water on the Lord. Lord Caitanya and Advaita Äcärya began
by splashing water in great sport on each other.

37
 While forcefully splashing water in the eyes of each other, sometimes Advaita would be defeated
and the next moment the Lord would be defeated.
Sri Caitanya Bhägavata – Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura
Antya-khanda 8.113-126 Translation

Pastimes of Çré Kåñëa Caitanya in the waters of Indradyumna-sarovara.

In the lake named Indradyumna, He sported in the water.The Lord personally splashed all the
devotees with water, and the devotees, surrounding Him on all sides, also splashed the Lord.
While in the water they sometimes formed one circle and sometimes many circles, and while in the
water they used to play cymbals and imitate the croaking of frogs. Sometimes two would pair off to
fight in the water. One would emerge victorious and the other defeated, and the Lord would watch
all this fun….Lying down on Advaita Prabhu, who was floating on the water, Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu demonstrated the pastime of Çeñaçäyé Viñëu. Manifesting His personal potency,
Advaita Äcärya floated about on the water, carrying Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 14.75-91 Translation

NEWSPAPERS, DRAMAS, NOVELS, MAGAZINES AND MOVIES ETC.

Ordinary literature creates unnecessary agitation in the mind..

A person desiring to advance in spiritual understanding should be extremely careful to avoid
reading ordinary literature. The world is full of ordinary literature that creates unnecessary
agitation in the mind. Such literature, including newspapers, dramas, novels and magazines, is
factually not meant for advancement in spiritual knowledge…Anyone advancing in spiritual
knowledge must reject such literature.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam, 7.13.7 Purport

We do not know what is the happening daily. It does not matter…

But you'll find that these boys, these Americans boys who have come to Kåñëa consciousness,
they have kicked out newspaper. No more newspaper. Because there is no kåñëa-kathä, they
don't like to read it. This is called bhaktiù pareçänubhavo viraktir anyatra syät [SB 11.2.42]. This
is the test. We do not know what is the happening daily. It is, it does not matter, newspaper. It is
a waste of time. Better that time read some literature like Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Bhagavad-gétä.
You'll be benefited. Why you should waste the valuable time of your life?
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 3.25.12—Bombay, November 12, 1974

I close my eyes. I do not like to see them,

sometimes the movies that are demonstrated in the plane, I close my eyes. I do not like to see
them, because that impression carries. It is a very disturbing fact to me.
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation—January 21, 1977, Bhubaneswar

Practically this is a system of recreation only

Come on, dance with us. Is it not recreation? And when you get tired take prasädam. Do you
want more recreation than this? What is your answer. Is it not recreation?…You go to ball dance
and so many other dances, you pay for it. But we don't charge….So if you simply come and
chant for recreation, it is very nice. Everything is there in Kåñëa consciousness. We want music,
there is music. We want dancing, there is dancing. You can bring nice musical instruments, you
can join. We distribute nice palatable dishes. So practically this is a system of recreation only.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: BG 6.1—Los Angeles, February 13, 1969

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DRESS & MENTALITY

Not essential, although they create a good mental situation…

The saffron robes and the shaven head are not essential, although they create a good mental
situation, just as when a military man is dressed properly he gets energy—he feels like a military
man. Does that mean that unless he is in uniform he cannot fight? No. In the same way, God
consciousness cannot be checked—it can be revived in any circumstances—but certain
conditions are helpful. Therefore we prescribe that you live in a certain way, dress in a certain
way, eat in a certain way, and so on.
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation with Rporter,, October 8, 1975, Durban

You must always remain dressed like a Vaiñëava

The foolish rascals, they say that “What is the necessity of this, that?” No. This is necessity. You
must always remain dressed like a Vaiñëava. That is necessity. So prekñaëéya: “is very beautiful
to see.” Otherwise how they became impressed?
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 3.28.19—October 29, 1975, Nairobi

VAIÑËAVA DRESS & REGULAR DRESS

Dress is immaterial in Krishna Consciousness. Consciousness is within…

Regarding dress, I have already written to you that you can dress as smartly as possible to deal
with the public, and dress is immaterial in Krishna Consciousness. Consciousness is within. I am
a sannyäsé, but if some important work requires I dress myself just like a smart gentleman, I
would immediately accept it. So it is not a problem.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Gopala Krsna—Hamburg, 3 September, 1969

In the dress of sannyäsés or in the regular dress of gentlemen..

Sometimes the Kåñëa consciousness movement sends its representative sannyäsés to foreign
countries where the daëòa and kamaëòalu are not very much appreciated. We send our
preachers in ordinary dress to introduce our books and philosophy. Our only concern is to
attract people to Kåñëa consciousness. We may do this in the dress of sannyäsés or in the
regular dress of gentlemen.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam, 7.13.9 Purport

We may change our dress in any way to facilitate our service

Sometimes members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness—especially in the
Western countries—find it difficult to approach people to distribute books because people are
unfamiliar with the traditional saffron robes of the devotees. The devotees have therefore
inquired whether they can wear European and American dress before the general public. From
the instructions given to King Pratäparudra by Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya, we can understand
that we may change our dress in any way to facilitate our service. When our members change
their dress to meet the public or to introduce our books, they are not breaking the devotional
principles. The real principle is to spread the Kåñëa consciousness movement, and if one has to
change into regular Western dress for this purpose, there should be no objection.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 14.5

39
if an honest person deals with a cheater, it is necessary to become a cheater also..
In our Kåñëa consciousness movement, the tactic of dressing oneself like an ordinary karmé is
necessary because everyone in the demoniac kingdom is against the Vaiñëava teachings…
…Yet the preachers of Kåñëa consciousness must go forward—in their Vaiñëava dress or any
other dress—for the purpose of preaching. Cäëakya Paëòita says that if an honest person deals
with a great cheater, it is necessary for him to become a cheater also, not for the purpose of
cheating but to make his preaching successful.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam, 7.5.7 Purport

Dress just like a very nice perfect aristocratic American.

The next point is that you should dress just like perfect American gentlemen, but the çikhä and
tilaka must be very prominent. Coat, pants, necktie, and everything, Brahmacari and Gåhasthas,
they can put on, because you are not Sannyäsé. In the temple, you can dress as brahmacari, but
in order not to become ridiculous in the eyes of others, outside you should dress just like a very
nice perfect aristocratic American. So there is no objection. But we must have always our tilaka
and çikhä and there is no compromise for this purpose.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Brahmananda—Seattle, 6 October, 1968

Dress according to the taste of others and foodstuffs according to the eater's taste
The idea is that dress has to be accepted according to the taste of others and foodstuffs are to
be accepted according to the eater's taste. So if you think this kind of dress will attract more
people, you can dress yourself in that manner. But our real dress is the tilaka and sikha…always
present there.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Raktak—London, 25 September, 1969

In my opinion …look like angels from Vaikuntha

I am very sorry to hear that Kértanänanda is advising you to give up the robes and the flags on
the head. Please stop this nescience as I never instructed Kértanänanda to act like that….In my
opinion, Clean shaved Brahmacaris & Gåhasthas in saffron robes look like angels from
Vaikuntha.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Dämodara, October 13th, 1967

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TILAKA

Essential features of a Vaisnava.

I have no objection if members of the Society dress like nice American
gentlemen; but in all circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilaka, flag on
head, & beads on neck. These are essential features of a Vaisnava.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Brahmananda—Calcutta, 14
October, 1967

Protected by the Lord from all sides

The Tiloks on the forehead and other parts of the body are symbolic
representation of Radha Krishna Temples. In other words by marking Tiloks
on all parts of our body we become protected by the Lord from all sides.
Besides Tilok marking at once makes one known as Vaisnavas therefore they are necessary as
much as the beads.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Dayananda, Nandarani and Uddhava—Delhi, 20
September, 1967

Tilaka must be there. That is our trademark.

Prabhupäda: …And go in good dress because people...
Svarüpa Dämodara: In suits.
Prabhupäda: In suit, yes. You get first dress, then address. (laughter) But tilaka must be there.
You dress like up-to-date gentlemen, but tilaka must be there. That is our trademark.
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation—March 31, 1977, Bombay

He goes to My abode riding on a space ship

It does not matter where a person who wears tilak dies. Even if he is a candala, he goes to My
abode riding on a space ship and becomes worshipped there…When a person wearing tilak
eats in somebody’s house, I deliver twenty generations of his host from hell.”
Brahmäëòa Puräëa (Païcarätra-Pradépa)

Oh Maharaja Ambarish! In order to become free from the greatest of sinful activities just behold
the person who wears tilak with gopi-chandan.
Maharsi Gautama, Padma Purana

Tilaka means victory personified.

Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Tilaka (Evalyn)—Los Angeles, 5 July, 1971

41
 • One should not apply tilaka in the bathroom.
• The tilaka is applied to twelve parts of the body—that is, on the forehead, navel, heart,
throat, sides of the abdomen, arms, shoulders, nape of the neck, and lower back. Çréla
Prabhupäda explained..” It is precious.”
• If one feels one can’t wear tilaka publicly, one should at least apply “water tilaka
Païcarätra-Pradépa

Prabhupäda Tells a Story About Wearing Vaiñëava Tilaka

There was once a factory in India where all the workers were Hindus and mostly Vaiñëavas. The
Vaiñëavas had freedom, therefore, to wear their Vaiñëava tilaka to work, and they also displayed
other Vaiñëava paraphernalia. After some time, however, the factory went to new management
and the new proprietor was a Muslim. On taking over the business, the Muslim owner declared
that he would no longer allow the workers to come to work wearing Vaiñëava tilaka. Most of the
workers obeyed, and on the given date announced by the owner, they appeared at the factory
without their tilaka. One employee, however, thought that he would take his chances and depend
on Kåñëa, so he went to work wearing very clear, white Vaiñëava tilaka. After seeing all the
workers assembled, the new Muslim proprietor said, “This one devotee who has worn Vaiñëava
tilaka is very courageous. He may be permitted to continue wearing the tilaka to work, but all
others are forbidden to wear it any more.”
Srila Prabhupada Nectar – Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami

42
 Glories Of Gopi-Candana Tilaka
from Sri Garga Samhita, Canto Six, Chapter Fifteen

Text 17
maha-nadinam snanasya punyam tasya dine dine
gopi-candana-mudrabhir mudrito yah sada bhavet

A person who daily wears gopi-candana tilaka attains the pious result of daily bathing in all
sacred rivers.

Text 18
asvamedha-sahasrani rajasuya-satani ca sarvani tirtha-danani
vratani ca tathaiva ca krtani tena nityam vai sa krtartho na samsayah

A person who daily wears gopi-candana tilaka attains the result of performing a thousand
asvamedha-yajnas and a hundred rajasuya-yajnas. He attains the result of giving charity and
following vows at all holy places. He attains the goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 21
gopi-candana-liptangam yadi papa-satair yutam
tam netum na yamah sakto yama-dutah kutah punah

Even if in the past he has committed hundreds of sins, if a person wears gopi-candana tilaka,
then Yamaraja cannot take him away. How, then, can Yamaraja's messengers touch him?

Text 22
nityam karoti yah papi gopi-candana-dharanam
sa prayati harer dhama golokam prakrteh param

A sinner who daily wears gopi-candana tilaka goes to Lord Krsna supreme abode, Goloka,
which is beyond the world of matter.

TULASÉ BEADS

Yamaräja will understand that ‘He is God’s dog. He should not be shot down.’
Somebody asked me, “Swamijé, why are these Tulasé beads on your neck or on your devotee's
neck?” So I replied, “Just as a pet dog has got a collar, similarly we are pet dogs of God. We
have got this collar. And Yamaräja, will understand that ‘He is God’s dog. He should not be shot
down.” (laughter)
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 6.1.34-39—Surat, December 19, 1970

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ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA ON DRESS FOR VAIÑËAVÉS

When a woman goes out onto the street, she must be fully covered
Kaçyapa Muni advised his wife not to go out onto the street unless she was well decorated and
well dressed. He did not encourage the miniskirts that have now become fashionable. In Oriental
civilization, when a woman goes out onto the street, she must be fully covered so that no man
will recognize who she is. All these methods are to be accepted for purification.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.18.50 purport

…respectable woman cannot be seen even by the sun

Don't allow this miniskirt or minishirt. [laughter] According to Vedic civilization, respectable
woman cannot be seen even by the sun. Asüryaà paçyat. How can you avoid sun? But it is said
like that. The sun will find difficulty to see one man's woman. Yes. Asüryaà paçyat. Asüryam.
Sürya means the sun. Sun cannot. Sun will also hanker after her: “How can I see that woman?”
Srila Prabhupada Wedding Ceremony and Lecture—May 6, 1969, Boston

dress herself very nicely, very beautifully, just to enliven the husband
So according to that Vedic literature, when the husband is at home a woman is recommended to
dress herself very nicely, very beautifully, just to enliven the husband. The husband, if he sees
the wife nicely dressed and nicely, beautifully looking, then he takes some encouragement. And
similarly, a woman, when her husband is away from home, she should dress very niggardly, very
niggardly….At one time the woman is dressing niggardly, and at one time the woman is dressing
very beautifully and nicely. But what is the purpose? The purpose is the husband.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: BG 4.39-5.3—August 24, 1966, New York

It would be nicer if you can put on sari..

It would be nicer if you can put on sari, you can learn it from Jadurani. You must remain like a
nice girl. The dress and appearance is social convention of the society.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Madhavi Lata—Montreal, 20 June, 1968

A woman who wears a sari looks very feminine…

A few Ananda Ashram men and women came by. One woman was wearing a sari. Prabhupäda
turned to the other women and said, "A woman who wears a sari looks very feminine."
Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, Volume 2: Planting the Seed: New York City 1966

When they dress in Indian way, they look more beautiful..

Prabhupäda: Yes. Rather, these girls, when they dress in Indian way, they look more beautiful.
That you will have to admit. Yes….
Çréla Prabhupäda Room Conversation with Christian Priest,
Mr.Chenique, June 10, 1974, Paris
This Vedic dress is also nice, very beautiful.
Çyämasundara: Yes. This is Kalki däsa and Ambikä devé däsé.
Prabhupäda: Now, with this dress you look so beautiful. This Vedic dress is also nice, very
beautiful. It increases the beauty hundred times by this dress.
Srila Prabhupada Initiations—April 2, 1972, Sydney

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Dress for Widows
I am very much pleased with this girl Svati—she has adopted this white dress. She must not be
attractive at all. A widow is forbidden to use ornaments, nice sari, decoration, combing the hair
nicely. These are forbidden for the woman who is not with husband.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Yamuna and Dinatarini—Mayapur, 21 February,
1976

ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA ON DRESS FOR VAIÑËAVAS

…anyone who wants to remain with us must be clean shaved

If you are keeping long hairs, they must be removed. All of my disciples must be clean shaved.
Even anyone who stays with us must be clean shaved. They can visit, but anyone who wants to
remain with us must be clean shaved.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Upendra—Vrndavana, 30 August, 1974

once in a month in the bright fortnight, you must be shaved...

So we should be known as shaven-headed, not long-hair-headed. This is discrepancy. At least
once in a month you must be clearly shaven-headed. In the bright fortnight on the day of
pürëimä, four days after ekädaçé, once in a month in the bright fortnight, you must be shaved...
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 5.6.3—Vrndavana, Nov 25, 1976

if necessary one can dress like an American gentleman with short hair…
Unless absolutely necessary, one should keep head shaven and not allow the hair to grow long.
If absolutely necessary, one can dress like an American gentleman, with short hair, but long hair
is prohibited. The reason that one with long hair is not my disciple is because he is against the
principle. Unless absolutely necessary one should keep hair short, and if necessary one can
dress like an American gentleman with short hair.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Dhrstaketu—New York, 17 July, 1976

Better not to keep beard

Regarding change of dress, I beg to inform you that every Krishna conscious person must be
clean shaved, must have Tilakas on the forehead and other eleven places and must have the
Sikha on the top of the head besides beads on the neck as usual. Rarely one can continue to
keep beard but it is better not to keep it to distinguish oneself from the Hippies. We must let the
public know that we are not Hippies…..
Çréla Prabhupäda Letter to: Brahmananda—Calcutta, 11 October, 1967

devotee men are all wearing white cloths and they all look very, very nice.
Generally Gåhasthas wear white for the men and colorful saris for the women. While performing
sacrifices, etc. they may wear yellow cloth which is considered auspicious…In India our
householder devotee men are all wearing white cloths and they all look very, very nice.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Upendra—Allahabad, 27 January, 1971

You must always remain dressed like a Vaiñëava

The Vaiñëavas, with tilaka, with kanöé, with chanting beads, as soon as you see... And practically
you know, as soon as they see these Hare Kåñëa movement people, they also chant "Hare
Kåñëa," giving a chance to the others. The dress is also required. You should be always

45
 equipped with tilaka, kanöé, and çikhä, sütra. Then, as soon as a common man sees, "Oh, here is
a Hare Kåñëa man." "Hare Kåñëa," he'll chant. Automatically you give a chance to chant Hare
Kåñëa.
So this is required. The foolish rascals, they say that "What is the necessity of this, that?" No.
This is necessity. You must always remain dressed like a Vaiñëava. That is necessity. So
prekñaëéya: "is very beautiful to see." Otherwise how they became impressed? Immediately they
become so pious that they chant Hare Kåñëa. The chanting of Hare Kåñëa is not so easy.
Çréla Prabhupäda Lecture: SB 3.28.19—October 29, 1975, Nairobi

I have given the dress to the foreigners, and they have taken it.
Before me, so many swamijis went there. They did not give, but they took something and came
here and advertised themselves as foreign-returned sannyäsé and exploited the people. They
lost even their original dress. Everyone knows, I have never changed my dress. Rather, I have
given the dress to the foreigners, and they have taken it. The Ramakrishna mission people came
to request me that I dress myself in coat, pant, hat. Because they are doing. Their so-called
swamis, they are dressed in coat, pant, hat.
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 1.9.48—June 14, 1973, Mayapur

Standards in regard to initiation, cleanliness, dress and activities of the devotees,

you leaders see that the Krsna Conscious standards in regard to initiation, cleanliness, dress
and activities of the devotees, the restriction of association between men and women, all be
strictly followed. Devotional service cannot be done whimsically

Letter to: Madhavananda — Los Angeles 1 January, 1974

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Lesson 6 Respect in Vaisnava Society

Lesson Topics

Respect in Vaiñëava Society

Maryädä-vyatikrama
Vaiñëava Aparädha & Forgiveness
Correcting Vaiñëavas

RESPECT IN VAIÑËAVA SOCIETY

uttama haïä vaiñëava habe nirabhimäna
jéve sammäna dibe jäni’ ‘kåñëa’-adhiñöhäna
Although a Vaiñëava is the most exalted person, he is prideless and gives all respect to
everyone, knowing everyone to be the resting place of Kåñëa.

ei-mata haïä yei kåñëa-näma laya

çré-kåñëa-caraëe täìra prema upajaya
If one chants the holy name of Lord Kåñëa in this manner, he will certainly awaken his dormant
love for Kåñëa’s lotus feet.
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu to Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämé and RämänandRäya,
Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Antya-lélä, 20.20-25

guëädhikän mudaà lipsed

anukroçaà guëädhamät
maitréà samänäd anvicchen
na täpair abhibhüyate
Every man should act like this: when he meets a person more qualified than himself, he should
be very pleased; when he meets someone less qualified than himself, he should be
compassionate toward him; and when he meets someone equal to himself, he should make
friendship with him. …
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.8.34

Just greet him Hare Krishna, and with folded hands..

Regarding your second question about greeting karmis, if a karmi is a friend, you just greet him
Hare Krishna, and with folded hands touch your forehead. If the karmi is a superior relative, then
chant Hare Krishna and bow down down to him on the ground. That should be the etiquette in
our society transactions.
Letter to: Arundhati — New Vrindaban 16 June, 1969

praëamed daëòa-vad bhümäv

ä-çva-cäëòäla-go-kharam
One should offer obeisances before all—even the dogs, outcastes, cows and asses—falling flat
upon the ground like a rod.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 11.29.16

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Respect in Varëäçrama

vipräëäà jnanato yas ca

kñatriyäëäà ca viryatah
vaiçyanam dhanya danatah
çüdräëäm ca janmatah
The seniority of brähmaëas is based on sacred knowledge, for kñatriyas its based on heroic
deeds or strength, for vaiçyas seniority is based on possessing grains or other wealth and
çüdras its determined by birth. So that’s a progressive culture.
(Viñëu-småti, chapter 32)

Räja-maryädä Administrative responsibility

Vidyā-maryādā Learning
Sad-guëa-maryädä Good qualities
Varëa-maryädä Varëa
Äçrama-maryädä Äçrama
Bhakti-maryädä Devotion

Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura in Caitanya-çikñämåta

2.2 Punya karma
Respect by Date of Initiation and Age
väsu kahe,—mukunda ädau päila tomära saìga
tomära caraëa päila sei punar-janma
Väsudeva replied, “Mukunda got Your association in the beginning. As such, he has taken
shelter at Your lotus feet. That is his transcendental rebirth.”

choöa haïä mukunda ebe haila ämära jyeñöha

tomära kåpä-pätra täte sarva-guëe çreñöha
Thus Väsudeva Datta admitted his inferiority to Mukunda, his younger brother. “Although
Mukunda is my junior,” he said, “he first received Your favor. Consequently he became
transcendentally senior to me…. Besides that, You very much favored Mukunda. Thus he is
superior in all good qualities.”
Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Madhya 11.139-140

He is your elder brother, so you should give him respect.

Prabhupada said, "Ah, he is your elder brother. You should not sit in front of him." I was ahead
of him, a little closer to Prabhupada. Prabhupada said, "You should move back, he is senior to
you, a senior God-brother, this is the etiquette. …. You should not sit before him."
Srila Prabhupada -- Remembrances Pradyumna
Dasa, ITV Chapter 16,
Senior to you both in age and in sannyäsa
Prabhupäda asked each of them how old he was. Madhudviña Swami was the elder by one
year. Turning to Siddha Svarüpa, Prabhupäda said, "So Madhudviña Mahäräja is senior to you
both in age and in sannyäsa. So you work cooperatively together and take good instruction from
him."
A Transcendental Diary Volume 1 -- Hari Sauri Dasa
Sridhama Mayapur, March 8th, 1976

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Show Respect By:

• Rising from one's seat when a superior approaches (pratyutthäna)

• Identifying oneself by name and offering greetings (abhivädana)
• Offering prostrated obeisances (praëäma, namaskära)
• Offering worship (püjä)
• Giving gifts, such as cloth, gold, money, or grains (däna).
• Offering Prasad & Drinking water
• Sitting place /Straw mat /Cleanse the ground
• With folded hands “Welcome”

Païcarätra-Pradépa, Reception of Guests (atithi-sevä)

& Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.22.10 Purport

Whatever is used by Kåñëa or the spiritual master is worshipable

According to etiquette, things used by Kåñëa should not be used by anyone else. Similarly,
things used by the spiritual master should also not be used by anyone else. That is etiquette.
Whatever is used by Kåñëa or the spiritual master is worshipable. In particular, their sitting or
eating places should not be used by anyone else. A devotee must be very careful to observe
this.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 15.234

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MARYÄDÄ-VYATIKRAMA

Maryädä Respect
Vyatikrama Fault

In presence of higher personality one should not be eager to impart instructions

According to scriptural injunction one should be very careful of transgressing the law of
maryädä-vyatikrama because by so doing one loses his duration of life, his opulence, fame and
piety and the blessings of all the world. To be well versed in the transcendental science
necessitates awareness of the techniques of spiritual science. Uddhava, being well aware of all
these technicalities of transcendental science, advised Vidura to approach Maitreya Åñi to
receive transcendental knowledge. Vidura wanted to accept Uddhava as his spiritual master, but
Uddhava did not accept the post because Vidura was as old as Uddhava's father and therefore
Uddhava could not accept him as his disciple, especially when Maitreya was present nearby.
The rule is that in the presence of a higher personality one should not be very eager to impart
instructions, even if one is competent and well versed.
….Since both Uddhava and Maitreya were directly instructed by the Lord, both had the authority
to become the spiritual master of Vidura or anyone else, but Maitreya, being elderly, had the first
claim to becoming the spiritual master, especially for Vidura, who was much older than
Uddhava.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.4.26 Purport

Godbrother more enlightened and advanced - almost equal to the spiritual master
He should not be unnecessarily envious of his Godbrothers. Rather, if a godbrother is more
enlightened and advanced in krsna consciousness, one should accept him as almost equal to
the spiritual master, and one should be happy to see such Godbrothers advance in Krsna
consciousness.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.32.42 Purport

To serve the Spiritual Master also means to be the servant of His disciples
Regarding serving your godbrothers, this is a very good practice. The Spiritual Master is never
without His followers, so to serve the Spiritual Master also means to be the servant of His
disciples. When you want to serve the king, you must also serve his minister, secretary, and
everyone who serves him. And to serve his servants may please him more than to serve the king
personally. …I hope that you will understand this rightly.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Sivananda—Los Angeles, 23 January, 1969

Otherwise, the future of our institution will not be very hopeful

Relationship between Godbrothers must be very genuine and pleasing. Otherwise, the future of
our institution will not be very hopeful. After all very soon you have to manage.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Tamala Krsna—Tittenhurst, 1 October, 1969

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VAIÑËAVA APARÄDHA

Apa Against

Arädha Worship

Types of Vaiñëava aparädha

Does not express joy in seeing a Vaiñëava

Not offer obeisances to a Vaiñëava
Hate a Vaiñëava
Blaspheme a Vaiñëava
Become angry upon, beat, or kill a Vaiñëava

hanti nindati vai dveñöi vaiñëavän näbhinandati

krudhyate yäti no harñaà darçane patanäni ñaö

Whoever kills or blasphemes a Vaiñëava and whoever is envious of a Vaiñëava or angry with
him, or whoever does not offer him obeisances or feel joy upon seeing him, certainly falls into a
hellish condition
Skanda Puräëa
(Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 15.261)
Blasphemy of Vaiñëavas
• Birth
• Previous sins or faults in this life
• Unpremeditated accidental act of sin
• Present traces of previous sinful activity (faults almost rectified)
Hari-nama-cintamani—Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Chapter 4: Blasphemy of Vaisnavas
Hearing Blasphemy of Vaiñëavas

nindäà bhagavataù çåëvaàs tat-parasya janasya vä

tato näpaiti yaù so 'pi yäty adhaù sukåtäc cyutaù

Anyone who fails to immediately leave the place where he hears criticism of the Supreme Lord
or His faithful devotee will certainly fall down, bereft of his pious credit.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 10.74.40
Immediately take one of three actions
One should not tolerate blasphemy against a Vaiñëava but should immediately take one of three
actions. If someone blasphemes a Vaiñëava, one should stop him with arguments and higher
reason. If one is not expert enough to do this he should give up his life on the spot, and if he
cannot do this, he must go away.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila 7.50 Purport

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RESULT OF VAIÑËAVA APARÄDHA

nindäà kurvanti ye müòhä vaiñëavänäà mahätmanäm

patanti pitåbhiù särdhaà mahä-raurava-saàjïite

Whoever blasphemes vaiñëavas falls down to the hell known as Mahäraurava, accompanied by
his forefathers.
Skanda Puräëa , (Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya 15.261)

cauräçi-sahasra yama-yätanä pratyakñe

punaù punaù kari bhuïje vaiñëava-nindake
The blasphemer of Vaiñëavas repeatedly suffers eighty-four thousand punishments awarded by
Yamaräja.
Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, Antya-khaëòa 4.377

yadi vaiñëava-aparädha uöhe häté mätä

upäòe vä chiëòe, tära çukhi’ yäya pätä
If the devotee commits an offense at the feet of a Vaiñëava while cultivating the creeper of
devotional service in the material world, his offense is compared to a mad elephant that uproots
the creeper and breaks it. In this way the leaves of the creeper are dried up.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya-lila 19.156

If a person commits an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaishnava, even though he may have
received Krishna's mercy, he will never attain divine love, prema.
Chaitanya-bhagavata Madhya-lila 22.8

If you insult His devotee, He will never tolerate. Then you are finished…
Even you insult Kåñëa, He will tolerate. But if you insult His devotee, He will never tolerate. Then
you are finished. Then you are finished. Just like a big man. If you insult him, he may think, "All
right, let him." But if you insult or do something harm to his child, he will never tolerate. He will
never tolerate. Similarly, a devotee who is dependent on Kåñëa in everything, and if somebody
does harm to him, insults him, Kåñëa will never tolerate….
Srila Prabhupada Lecture: SB 1.15.22-23—December 2, 1973, Los Angeles

Vaiñëava Aparädha is more grievous than sin…

hari-sthäne aparädhe täre hari-näm
tomä sthäne aparädhe nähi pariträë
The holy name delivers one who has offended Lord Hari, but deliverance is impossible if one
offends you.
Vaiñëave Vijïapti , Çréla Narottama däsa Öhäkura

prabhu bale,—“upadeça kahite se päri

vaiñëaväparädha ämi khaëòäite näri
It is true that I can instruct everyone about devotional service, but I am never able to deliver one
who has offended a Vaisnava out of envy…

ye-vaiñëava-sthäne aparädha haya yära

punaù se-i kñamile se ghuce, nahe ära
“If one offends a Vaiñëava, the offense can be excused only by that Vaiñëava, no one else.
Çré Caitanya-bhägavata, Madhya-khaëòa 22.32-33

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SEEKING FORGIVENESS

fall at the sadhu’s feet and repent bitterly

If anyone offends a sadhu in a moment of delusion and madness, he must fall at the sadhu’s feet
and repent bitterly; weeping and full of contrition, he must beg forgiveness. He should declare
himself a fallen wretch in need of a Vaisnava’s grace. A sadhu is very merciful; his heart will
soften and he will embrace the offender, thus exonerating him from his offenses.
Sri Harinama Cintamani, Chapter 4—Criticizing Saintly Persons

When Viçvarüpa took sannyäsa, Çacémätä thought that Advaita Äcärya had persuaded Him to
do so. Therefore she accused Advaita Äcärya of this, which was an offense at His lotus feet.
Later Lord Caitanya induced His mother to take the dust of Advaita Äcärya’s lotus feet, and thus
her vaiñëava-aparädha was nullified.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila 17.71 Purport

Begging the pardon of the offended Vaiñëava.

The conclusion is that if Kåñëa consciousness is covered by material sins, one can eliminate the
sins simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra, but if one pollutes his Kåñëa consciousness by
offending a brähmaëa or a Vaiñëava, one cannot revive it until one properly atones for the sin by
pleasing the offended Vaiñëava or brähmaëa. This was the course that Durväsä Muni had to
follow, for he surrendered unto Mahäräja Ambaréña. A vaiñëava-aparädha cannot be atoned for
by any means other than by begging the pardon of the offended Vaiñëava.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 4.26.24 Purport
One must immediately apologize
Unconsciously King Rahügaëa offended Jaòa Bharata, but due to his good sense, he asked to
be excused. This is the process by which one can be relieved from a vaiñëava-aparädha. Kåñëa
is always very simple and by nature merciful. When one commits an offense at the feet of a
Vaiñëava, one must immediately apologize to such a personality so that his spiritual
advancement may not be hampered.
Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.10.24 Purport

CORRECTING VAIÑËAVAS

• Junior should not correct a senior devotee

• Not by criticizing but by friendly behavior
• Correct by example

A junior devotee should not correct a senior devotee.

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu to Sanätana Goswämé
I cannot tolerate transgressions of the standard etiquette.
“You are an experienced authority in the çästras, whereas Jagä is just a young boy.
“You have the power to convince even Me. In many places you have already convinced Me
about ordinary behavior and devotional service.
“Jagä’s advising you is intolerable for Me. Therefore I am chastising him.
Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya-lila 4.156-170

53
Not by criticizing but by friendly behavior
We should always remember that we recruit members from people in general. It is not expected
that every one of our members should be immediately to the standard qualification. The best
thing for you is to set the example by your personal behavior and try to reform the others, not by
criticizing but by friendly behavior.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Vrnda—Nairobi, 14 October, 1971

You should not get agitated with him.

A Vaisnava is expected to be humbler than the blade of grass, so when you train some new man
you should not get agitated with him. After all, we are preachers, and we do not expect our
audience or candidates completely respondent to our call.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Upendra—Hawaii, 11 March, 1969

Be the example so that all others may follow.

So my best advice to you is to strictly observe these things yourself and be the example so that
all others may follow. We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in
everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism. Best thing is to be above suspicion
ourselves, then if we see discrepancies and make suggestion the others will automatically
respect and take action to rectify the matters.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Madhumangala—18th November, 1972

ACCEPTING CORRECTION

Accept knowledge even from a low-born person

viñäd apy amåtam grähyam
amedhyäd api käïcanam
nécäd apy uttamäà vidyäà
stré-ratnaà duñkuläd api

“One would accept nectar even from poison and gold even from a filthy place. One should
accept knowledge even from a low-born person, and a good wife even if she comes from a low
family.”
Çré Cäëakya-néti

Srila Prabhupada Example of Accepting Correction

Bhakti Caru Swami: In spite of being the world acarya, Srila Prabhupada was humble. Once in
Amsterdam, when Prabhupada was about to give initiation, the devotees hadn't organized things
properly and were making mistakes at every step. Prabhupada was getting increasingly annoyed
and when he saw that the sacrificial altar had no fruits on it, he was further disappointed. One
devotee ran to the kitchen, cut some fruits and gave the fruit to Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada
got still more upset because such fruits are supposed to be uncut.
A hippie who used to come to the temple regularly was present, and he had noticed that
whenever someone became upset, the devotees would tell that person, "Why don't you chant
Hare Krishna?" When this hippie saw that Prabhupada was agitated, he told Prabhupada, "Why
don't you chant Hare Krishna?" Prabhupada quietly took his bead bag and started to chant.

Srila Prabhupada—Remembrances (Siddhanta Dasa, ITV), Chapter 37

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Appendix 1 Norms for Classroom Behavior

During the course, in order to maintain an appropriate learning environment, students will
agree to follow the following guidelines.

1. We will be present for the entire course.

2. We will raise hands to contribute.

3. We will refrain from side conversations.

4. We will refrain from making & receiving mobile phone calls during class.

5. We will observe confidentiality within and without the classroom.

6. We respect the right of the individual to withdraw, without stating reasons,

from any exercise which makes them feel unduly uncomfortable.

7. We will confront issues or behaviour, not people.

8. We will each honour any agreement reached.

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Appendix 2 Further Reading

For further information on the subject of Vaiñëava Culture and Relationships in ISKCON,
students may refer to the following suggested publications.

A Manual Of Vaisnava Etiquette And Lifestyle

Çré Çré Rädhä Gopénätha Mandir
Chowpatty, Mumbai

Vaisnava Sadacara
H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami
GBC College for Leadership Development

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