Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 4.93
Offering Food and Protecting Cows
“The inhabitants of the village brought to the Deity of Gopāla as much food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk as they had in their village.”
What the purport teaches
- The villagers brought Gopāla as much food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk as their village had. The purport describes these as the basis of food, with vegetables and fruits as subsidiary.
- Many preparations can be made from grains, vegetables, ghee, milk and yogurt. A Vaiṣṇava does not accept anything that has not been offered to the Deity.
- The purport teaches that sufficient cows and grains solve the food problem. The vaiśyas are therefore advised to produce grains and protect cows, whose milk provides ghee and yogurt.
Try this today
Prepare a simple grain dish with suitable ingredients and offer it to the Deity before eating.
Ask yourself
How can I give more care to the food I prepare and offer to the Deity?
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.