Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.53
A Sacred Label Does Not Make Prasādam
“Having made their plot, the Buddhists brought a plate of untouchable food before Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and called it mahā-prasādam.”
What the purport teaches
- The Buddhists brought unacceptable food before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and called it mahā-prasādam. The term apavitra anna means food unacceptable for a Vaiṣṇava.
- A Vaiṣṇava must avoid the company of an avaiṣṇava. Food offered by an avaiṣṇava merely in the name of mahā-prasādam should not be accepted.
- Ordinary food cooked by an avaiṣṇava is not acceptable as mahā-prasādam, even if cooked without fault. The purport explains that preachers may accept food in an avaiṣṇava’s home if it is offered to the Deity.
Try this today
Before accepting food described as mahā-prasādam, ask how it was offered to the Lord.
Ask yourself
Do I understand the distinction between food called mahā-prasādam and food properly offered to the Lord?
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.