Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 17.269
Respectful Hospitality Before Presenting a Request
“The Lord offered him respectful obeisances and invited him to His house. After feeding him sumptuously, He submitted to him His petition.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord offers Keśava Bhāratī respectful obeisances, invites him home and feeds him sumptuously before presenting His petition.
- In Vedic society, someone should invite a visiting sannyāsī to take prasādam at home. Sannyāsīs generally accept prasādam in a brāhmaṇa’s home, where the Lord is worshiped as Nārāyaṇa śilā, or śālagrāma-śilā.
- Keśava Bhāratī accepts Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s invitation. This gives the Lord an opportunity to explain His desire to take sannyāsa from him.
Try this today
Offer someone a simple act of hospitality today before asking anything of them.
Ask yourself
How can I give sincere respect and care before presenting my own requests?
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.