Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 15.16
Learn From His Pastimes, Without Imitating
“One day Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ate betel nuts offered to the Deity, but they acted as an intoxicant, and He fell down on the ground unconscious.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ate betel nuts offered to the Deity and fell unconscious. The purport explains that betel nuts are intoxicating and prohibited by the regulative principles.
- This pastime teaches that one should not take betel nuts, even when offered to Viṣṇu, just as one should not take grains on Ekādaśī.
- The Lord’s fainting had a particular purpose. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He can do whatever He likes, but we should not imitate His pastimes.
Try this today
Note today that betel nuts are to be avoided even when offered to Viṣṇu.
Ask yourself
How can I learn from the Lord’s conduct without assuming I may imitate everything He does?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.