Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 12.127
Honor Paramparā and Etiquette Before the Deity
“I now do not know what My destination is because of this offense. Indeed, your Bengali Vaiṣṇava has greatly implicated Me.”
What the purport teaches
- Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas strictly observe the paramparā system. Calling the devotee “your Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava” indicates their subordination to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī.
- Before the Deity, one should not accept obeisances or offer obeisances and touch the spiritual master’s feet. A spiritual master should not permit a disciple to wash his feet there.
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was Himself the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so washing His lotus feet in the temple was not actually offensive. Yet, playing the part of an ācārya, He considered Himself an ordinary human being to teach proper etiquette.
Try this today
Write down one rule of etiquette before the Deity from this purport and review it before your next temple visit.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s own example help me take etiquette before the Deity seriously?
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.