Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 12.25
Protect Preaching and Respect the Lord
“I shall not meet the King at the request of all the devotees, but I shall do so if Dāmodara will give his permission.”
What the purport teaches
- A sannyāsī is expected to preach, not take part in social or political matters. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to avoid public criticism so His preaching would not be hampered.
- Dāmodara Paṇḍita was a faithful, loving devotee who immediately pointed out anything that might taint the Lord’s character. Yet he did so without considering the Lord’s exalted position.
- By making the meeting depend on Dāmodara’s permission, the Lord specially favored him with a warning. A disciple should not attempt to criticize the Lord or His representative, the spiritual master.
Try this today
Today, pause before making a critical remark about the Lord or the spiritual master, and reflect on the respect described here.
Ask yourself
How can I combine sincere concern with respect for the Lord and the spiritual master?
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.