Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 8.49
Accept Invitations with Devotional Care
“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the invitation, knowing the brāhmaṇa to be a devotee, and slightly smiling, He spoke as follows to Rāmānanda Rāya.”
What the purport teaches
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the brāhmaṇa’s invitation because He knew him to be a devotee.
- Strictly following the rules of brahminical culture is not enough. The purport says not to accept an invitation from someone who is not a devotee, a follower of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- Because people eat whatever they like without following Vedic or Vaiṣṇava principles, members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be very cautious about accepting invitations.
Try this today
Before accepting your next meal invitation, consider whether it follows the devotional principles described here.
Ask yourself
What do I consider before accepting an invitation to eat?
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.