Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.354
Recognize Incarnations by Scriptural Characteristics
“An actual incarnation of God never says ‘I am God’ or ‘I am an incarnation of God.’ The great sage Vyāsadeva, knowing all, has already recorded the characteristics of the avatāras in the śāstras.
What the purport teaches
- A real incarnation of God never claims, “I am God” or “I am an incarnation of God.”
- Vyāsadeva has already recorded the characteristics of the avatāras in the śāstras.
- By the symptoms described in scripture, one can understand who is an avatāra and who is not.
Try this today
Write a brief reminder: “Recognize an avatāra by scriptural characteristics, not self-proclamation.”
Ask yourself
Why is a person’s claim to be God insufficient evidence?
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.