Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 3.6
Service, Not Dress, Defines Sannyāsa
“[As a brāhmaṇa from Avantī-deśa said:] ‘I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. This was approved by the previous ācāryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramātmā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’”
What the purport teaches
- Acceptance of the symbolic marks of sannyāsa is a regulative principle among the sixty-four items of devotional service.
- The main business of one who accepts sannyāsa is to devote life completely to the service of Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa. Without devoting mind and body to the Lord’s service, one does not actually become a sannyāsī.
- One who works devotedly for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction is a sannyāsī. Sannyāsa is not simply a change of dress, but an attitude of service to Kṛṣṇa.
Try this today
Choose one task today and do it carefully with the intention of satisfying Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Where can you give more attention to serving Kṛṣṇa rather than to outward appearance?
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.