Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 3.17
Protective Concern Can Become Criticism
“And You, my dear Lord, are a handsome, attractive young man. Therefore certainly people will whisper about You. Why should You give them such an opportunity?”
What the purport teaches
- Dāmodara Paṇḍita feared that people would whisper because the Lord was a handsome, attractive young man.
- As a simple and staunch devotee, he could not tolerate criticism of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Unfortunately, in trying to prevent it, he himself criticized the Lord.
- The Lord understood that Dāmodara Paṇḍita spoke this way out of simplicity. Nevertheless, the purport says that such behavior by a devotee is not very good.
Try this today
Review one concern you want to express, and remove any wording that turns care into accusation.
Ask yourself
Could my attempt to protect someone become criticism of that very person?
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.