Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 3.70
Simple Eating Supports Sense Control
“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “It is not proper for a sannyāsī to eat such a variety of foods. If he does, how can he control his senses?””
What the purport teaches
- Upakaraṇa means a variety of foods eaten with rice. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not encourage sannyāsīs to eat very palatable dishes, because such eating interferes with sense control.
- The Vaiṣṇava path is vairāgya-vidyā, as renounced as possible. Those in the renounced order are advised against very palatable food, fine garments and talk on mundane subjects.
- A devotee does not eat anything that has not first been offered to Kṛṣṇa. Rich foods offered to Kṛṣṇa are given to the gṛhasthas, while a humble Vaiṣṇava does not seek such preparations for himself.
Try this today
Choose a simple meal today and offer it to Kṛṣṇa before eating.
Ask yourself
How might seeking very palatable food affect your effort to control the senses?
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.