Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 4.104
Deity Service Is a Trust, Not Ownership
“These two were then initiated by Mādhavendra Purī, and he entrusted them with the daily service of the Lord. This service was performed continuously, and the worship of the Deity became very gorgeous. Thus Mādhavendra Purī was very pleased.”
What the purport teaches
- Mādhavendra Purī initiated the two brāhmaṇas and entrusted them with the Lord’s daily service. Their continuous, gorgeous worship pleased him.
- The six Gosvāmīs and their followers established many temples and entrusted Deity worship to disciples, not to family members. All the Gosvāmīs were renounced, and Jīva Gosvāmī was a lifelong brahmacārī.
- The purport warns that some hereditary sevāitas claim ownership and sell the Deities’ property as their own. The temples did not originally belong to these caretakers.
Try this today
When using a temple item today, handle it carefully and return it to its proper place, remembering that it is not your property.
Ask yourself
How does seeing Deity service as a trust change your attitude toward temple property?
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.