Food for Life

Devotees of the Hare Krishna Centre distribute prasadam in the City Centre of Leicester, UK

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[Durvasa108]

Accepting food from materialistic persons will indeed affect ones consciousness. However, giving prasadam (spiritual/blessed food) is an act of mercy which can purify anyone. Srila Prabhupada says:

"If a tuberculosis patient eats something and you eat the remnants, you will be infected with tuberculosis. Similarly, if you eat krsna-prasadam, then you will be infected with Krsna consciousness."

And even if we are affected by serving prasadam we don't mind if the recipient gets liberated.

[gettuff2]

Srila Gurudeva ki jai!!!

[TOERAG54]

Thank you for your illuminating insights. In the vast majority of cases is Prasad actually being distributed,Srila Gurudeva has said that bhoga if not offered with the correct mantras is not accepted.

[gettuff2]

Thank you again for bringing up this very important point. I have been meditating deeply on it's significance and what you say is true for those who make a career out of same. The Yajna for the age is Hari Nama distribution. Without the distibuton of the Holy Names none can be effected. No yajna is complete without the distribution of Prasad therefore Hari Nama should be followed by prasad distribution. For those disributing only Prasad they should be weary of the effects and stay detached.

[TOERAG54]

The last sentence does not seem to be referring to :maintaining a relationship;it appears as a blanket statement re-serving food,viz-one should not perform this activity with those of different aspirations in life than one`s own.

Of course our SP stressed prasad distribution,but in light of the above warning perhaps those drawn to this service should do it sparingly,and not make a devotional career out of it.

[gettuff2]

This statement is qualified in the second sentence in BSS's Anuvritti. "By the negative effects of maintaining affectionate relationships with the jnanis and karmis"...

There is a vast difference between distributing the Lords prasad to all but the envious and maintaining a relationship ,,which would require regular connection and with an increase of affection. Srila Prabhupada had us serving prasad wherever it was possible for the benefit of all. You will have to reconcile this yourself..

[TOERAG54]

...one should not feed these three types of persons who possess an enjoying spirit.

Eating food prepared by them or feeding them increases one`s affection for them.

Offering and accepting items,revealing confidential realisations to one another,and serving and accepting food are all activities which increase affection.One should not perform thes activities with those of different aspirations in life than one`s own.

Sri Upadesamrita verse 4.

[gettuff2]

When love and affection is given to materialists it is apparradha to Radha Krsna and their associates. When love and affection is given to Radha Krsna it is apparadha to the materialists.

Giving the remnants of Krsnas' foodstuffs to anyone who will accept is our duty but it should be done without developing affection for that person until they become devoted to Krsna. That way our duty to Sri Chaitanya and to other living entities is performed simultaniously. Everyone will be happy..

[gettuff2]

I have just seen your above comment. Very good that you have bought up this point. At the begginning of the purport the words "affectionate relations" are used and are critical in understanding this tattva. Association with materialists happens when one heart has ranjakata or attatchment to that person. It does not mean dealing with persons such as family members and business associates etc in the ordinary course of events. Radha means love and affection and appa means without. cont..

[gettuff2]

Can you supply the quote please.

[TOERAG54]

Hari bol prabhuji,please see Sri Upaddesamrita verse 4,pages 50-51.