Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 17.266
Respect Purifies the Heart for Devotion
“Offering obeisances will relieve them of all the reactions to their offenses. Then, by My grace, devotional service [bhakti] will awaken in their pure hearts.
What the purport teaches
- In the Vaiṣṇava system, a person from any part of the world may become a brāhmaṇa through regular initiation. With brahminical behavior, including abstinence from intoxication, illicit sex, meat-eating and gambling, he may be offered sannyāsa.
- The purport identifies the sannyāsīs of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as regular brāhmaṇa-sannyāsīs. Birth should not be an objection to offering them respectful obeisances.
- Offering obeisances, especially to Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs, diminishes offenses and purifies the heart. By the Lord’s grace, devotional service awakens, and only in a purified heart can kṛṣṇa-prema awaken.
Try this today
Offer a respectful obeisance to a Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī today, in person or in thought.
Ask yourself
How can I cultivate respect that supports a purified heart and devotional service?
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.