Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 3.80
One Meal, Two Different Assessments
“Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was thinking that the quantity of food was enormous, Nityānanda Prabhu, on the contrary, thought it not even a morsel. He had been fasting for three days and had greatly hoped to break fast on that day. Indeed, He said, “Although I am invited to eat by Advaita Ācārya, today also is a fast. So small a quantity of food will not fill even half My belly.””
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought the quantity of food was enormous, while Nityānanda Prabhu thought it was not even a morsel.
- Nityānanda Prabhu had fasted for three days and greatly hoped to break His fast that day.
- Although invited by Advaita Ācārya, He said that the day was still a fast: the food would not fill even half His belly.
Try this today
Write down the two contrasting descriptions of the food and read them side by side.
Ask yourself
What do I notice about the contrast between the two Lords’ descriptions of the same meal?
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.