Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 6.275
Serve With Honest Earnings and Surrender
“ ‘My consciousness is impure because I accept all these goods from people who are interested only in pounds, shillings and pence. Therefore by this kind of invitation I get only some material reputation.
What the purport teaches
- People under the bodily conception of life are called materialists. The speaker recognizes that accepting their goods has made his consciousness impure.
- Offering such goods to the Lord and inviting Vaiṣṇavas to partake brings only material reputation, not the actual benefit of serving a pure Vaiṣṇava.
- One should serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead by fully surrendering at His lotus feet. Using honestly earned money in His service is spiritual service to the Lord, the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas.
Try this today
Set aside a small amount of honestly earned money for service without seeking recognition.
Ask yourself
How can I make my giving an expression of surrender rather than a search for reputation?
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.