Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.18.7
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyOffer First, Then Accept Prasāda
“My dear King, not only are grains and herbs being used by nondevotees, but, as far as I am concerned, I am not being properly maintained. Indeed, I am being neglected by kings who are not punishing these rascals who have turned into thieves by using grains for sense gratification. Consequently I have hidden all these seeds, which were meant for the performance of sacrifice.”
What the purport teaches
- The earth said she had hidden seeds meant for sacrifice because they were being misused and she was not properly maintained.
- All property belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The purport calls taking food without offering it to Him theft.
- Accepting food after offering it to the Lord is the process of accepting prasāda. Rulers also have a duty to maintain the world and check misuse of its resources.
Try this today
Offer your food to the Supreme Personality of Godhead before eating, and accept it as prasāda.
Ask yourself
How would remembering the Lord's ownership change the way I receive my food?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.