Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 12.180
Mercy Transforms Mundane Understanding
“After serving the Bhaṭṭācārya with first-class prasādam, Gopīnātha Ācārya said, “Just consider what the Bhaṭṭācārya’s previous mundane behavior was! Just consider how at present he is enjoying transcendental bliss!””
What the purport teaches
- Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya previously followed Vedic principles on the mundane platform as a smārta-brāhmaṇa. Now Gopīnātha Ācārya drew attention to his transcendental bliss.
- Mundane understanding cannot recognize that prasādam is transcendental, Govinda is the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or a Vaiṣṇava is a liberated person.
- By the causeless mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was converted. He now accepted prasādam with the Vaiṣṇavas, sitting beside Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Try this today
Before accepting prasādam today, pause to remember that food offered to the Deity is transcendental and materially uncontaminated.
Ask yourself
Do I regard prasādam as ordinary food, or remember its transcendental nature?
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.