View source for Significance of Honoring and Distributing Prasādam

This article explores the profound spiritual science behind ''prasādam'', the sanctified remnants of food offered to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that honoring ''prasādam'' is not a ritual of eating but a process of purification that controls the senses, cures material attachment, and liberates all living entities. Through the extensive distribution of this mercy, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to spiritually uplift society, proving that even the simplest act of eating can be transformed into a transcendental sacrifice.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== Transcendental Nature of Prasādam ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that food offered to Lord Kṛṣṇa undergoes a spiritual transformation, ceasing to be material matter. It becomes transcendental mercy, or ''prasādam'', which is non-different from the Lord Himself and immune to material contamination, regardless of external circumstances.

* [[Vaniquotes:Prasadam is transcendental, and there are no transformations or contaminations, just as there are no contaminations or transformations in the body of Lord Visnu Himself|Prasadam is transcendental, and there are no transformations or contaminations, just as there are no contaminations or transformations in the body of Lord Visnu Himself.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A man may question, "How it has become prasadam? It is bhata, rice." No. Because it is offered to Krsna, therefore it has changed its quality from inferior to superior|A man may question, "How it has become prasadam? It is bhata, rice." No. Because it is offered to Krsna, therefore it has changed its quality from inferior to superior.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are honoring prasadam, accepting the remnants of food offered to the Deity, must always remember that prasadam is not ordinary food. Prasadam is transcendental|Those who are honoring prasadam, accepting the remnants of food offered to the Deity, must always remember that prasadam is not ordinary food. Prasadam is transcendental.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sometimes the food (from Govardhana-puja) is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasadam offered to Krsna never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground|Sometimes the food (from Govardhana-puja) is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasadam offered to Krsna never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground.]]

=== Purification and Control of Senses ===
The process of controlling the agitated material senses begins with the tongue, and this is achieved by honoring ''kṛṣṇa-prasādam''. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this spiritualized food acts as the diet that cures the disease of material existence, working in tandem with the medicine of the Holy Name to fix the mind on the Supreme.

* [[Vaniquotes:If one can control the tongue, he can easily control the other senses. The tongue can be controlled only by eating prasada offered to the Deity|If one can control the tongue, he can easily control the other senses. The tongue can be controlled only by eating prasada offered to the Deity.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Our chanting is medicine and our Prasadam is the diet for curing material disease|Our chanting is medicine and our Prasadam is the diet for curing material disease.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By eating prasadam one makes advancement in spiritual life. Therefore, we should never consider ordinary food on an equal level with maha-prasadam|By eating prasadam one makes advancement in spiritual life. Therefore, we should never consider ordinary food on an equal level with maha-prasadam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:To eat and to vibrate sound is the business of the tongue. If you can control your tongue for prasadam, spiritual food, and make the sound vibration of the holy name, then by surrender of the tongue you can control all the other senses|To eat and to vibrate sound is the business of the tongue. If you can control your tongue for prasadam, spiritual food, and make the sound vibration of the holy name, then by surrender of the tongue you can control all the other senses.]]

=== Spiritual Compassion Through Distribution ===
A devotee's compassion is exhibited by distributing ''prasādam'' to all living entities, including even animals, to awaken their dormant spiritual consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that this distribution is the substance of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, attracting everyone to the shelter of the Supreme Lord and practically demonstrating spiritual communism.

* [[Vaniquotes:My movement is so perfect that I can do well even to the cats and dogs, by offering prasadam, by giving him chance to hear Hare Krsna maha-mantra|My movement is so perfect that I can do well even to the cats and dogs, by offering prasadam, by giving him chance to hear Hare Krsna maha-mantra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to spiritual communism, all properties on the surface of the globe belong to the SP of Godhead. The population has a right to use goods only after offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the process of accepting prasada|According to spiritual communism, all properties on the surface of the globe belong to the SP of Godhead. The population has a right to use goods only after offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the process of accepting prasada.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Distribution of prasada, or remnants of foodstuffs offered to the Lord, even to the ignorant masses of people and to animals, gives such living entities the chance for elevation to Krsna consciousness|Distribution of prasada, or remnants of foodstuffs offered to the Lord, even to the ignorant masses of people and to animals, gives such living entities the chance for elevation to Krsna consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Invite them, "Come and see." Give them prasadam. This is our policy. We are not constructing big, big buildings and temples for our convenience. For their convenience. This is sannyasi|Invite them, "Come and see." Give them prasadam. This is our policy. We are not constructing big, big buildings and temples for our convenience. For their convenience. This is sannyasi.]]

=== Etiquette of Acceptance ===
Properly honoring ''prasādam'' requires a consciousness of service rather than enjoyment, acknowledging it as the Lord's favor. While specific rules of cleanliness and hierarchy exist, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the transcendental imperative to accept the Lord's mercy immediately supersedes material restrictions of time and place.

* [[Vaniquotes:It is called prasada-seva, not "prasada enjoyment"|It is called prasada-seva, not "prasada enjoyment".]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who refuses to accept prasadam, the remnants of food offered to Krsna, cannot become a devotee|One who refuses to accept prasadam, the remnants of food offered to Krsna, cannot become a devotee.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In Padma Purana it is stated that when prasada is brought or received, it must be eaten immediately, even if it has become very dry or old, or even if it is brought from a distant place, or even if one has not completed executing his daily duties|In Padma Purana it is stated that when prasada is brought or received, it must be eaten immediately, even if it has become very dry or old, or even if it is brought from a distant place, or even if one has not completed executing his daily duties.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught us to avoid very palatable dishes even while eating prasada|Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught us to avoid very palatable dishes even while eating prasada.]]

=== Universal Application for Society ===
The culture of ''prasādam'' is essential for both householders and renunciants, serving as a unifying force that dissolves material distinctions. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that temple life and home worship must center around the offering and liberal distribution of food to satisfy the Lord and society at large.

* [[Vaniquotes:A householder should lead such a life that he gets full opportunity to hear and chant. He should worship the Deity at home, observe festivals, invite friends in and give them prasada. A householder should earn money for this purpose|A householder should lead such a life that he gets full opportunity to hear and chant. He should worship the Deity at home, observe festivals, invite friends in and give them prasada. A householder should earn money for this purpose.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Regardless of whether one be a brahmana, sudra, vaisya, ksatriya, or even the lowest of men, a candala, he should be welcome to accept prasada|Regardless of whether one be a brahmana, sudra, vaisya, ksatriya, or even the lowest of men, a candala, he should be welcome to accept prasada.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Temple worship necessarily includes distribution of prasada. It is not that one should create a temple in his private apartment or private room, offer something to the Lord, and then eat|Temple worship necessarily includes distribution of prasada. It is not that one should create a temple in his private apartment or private room, offer something to the Lord, and then eat.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unless one eats prasada, he is certainly a thief. It is the duty of governors and kings to punish such thieves and maintain the world nicely|Unless one eats prasada, he is certainly a thief. It is the duty of governors and kings to punish such thieves and maintain the world nicely.]]

=== Conclusion ===
Ultimately, the honoring and distribution of ''prasādam'' is a fundamental aspect of the science of bhakti-yoga, acting as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that ''prasādam'' is not merely a ritualistic offering but the Lord's mercy made tangible, capable of delivering anyone who partakes of it with respect. By controlling the tongue through spiritual food and extending this mercy to others, devotees perform a vital service that purifies the self, maintains society, and pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Prasadam|Prasadam]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form. 

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

[[Category:Articles - First Stage Pending Proofreading|Man00099]]