Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 6.276
Outward Display Is Not Pure Service
“ ‘At my request Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepts the invitations because He knows that a foolish person like me would be unhappy if He did not accept them.’
What the purport teaches
- The speaker understands that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepts his requests because refusing them would make him unhappy.
- Learning, possessions, elevated birth and education can become sources of pride. Those attached to material enjoyment may offer devotional service only for outward display.
- Materially polluted minds prevent such people from understanding that Lord Kṛṣṇa and the Vaiṣṇavas do not accept their offerings. When a pure Vaiṣṇava refuses, their unhappiness may turn into opposition.
Try this today
Examine one planned offering today for a desire to display your learning, possessions or status.
Ask yourself
How do I respond when an offering or service of mine is not accepted?
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.