Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 17.245
The Lord Teaches Caution to Preachers
“Immediately He ran to the river Ganges and jumped in to counteract the sinful activities of that woman. Lord Nityānanda and Haridāsa Ṭhākura caught Him and raised Him from the river.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord jumped into the Ganges to counteract the woman’s sinful activities. Lord Nityānanda and Haridāsa Ṭhākura caught Him and raised Him from the river.
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is God Himself, but He was playing the part of a preacher. Taking a Vaiṣṇava’s foot dust may benefit the person taking it, but it is not good for the person allowing it.
- As far as possible, this practice should ordinarily be avoided; only initiated disciples should be allowed this advantage, not others. Those full of sinful activities should generally be avoided.
Try this today
Review the purport today and note its general caution and its exception for initiated disciples.
Ask yourself
Why should a preacher consider more than the benefit received by someone taking foot dust?
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.