Vaishnava Custom of Offering Prasādam to Devotees of God
The custom of offering prasādam to the devotees of God is a cornerstone of Vaiṣṇava culture, embodying the principles of humility, service, and spiritual association. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this practice is not just about feeding the body but is a transcendental transaction that purifies the consciousness and solidifies the bonds of affection within the spiritual community. From the personal example of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to the instructions given for temple management, the distribution of the Lord's mercy in the form of food is considered a vital aspect of serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Loving Exchanges Among Devotees
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the exchange of prasādam is one of the six symptoms of love shared between one devotee and another. This reciprocal act—giving and accepting sanctified food—breaks down barriers and establishes a loving family atmosphere centered around Kṛṣṇa, which is essential for spiritual advancement.
- Offering gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts, revealing one's mind in confidence, inquiring confidentially, accepting prasada and offering prasada are the six symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.
- When one gets the opportunity of a suitable auspicious time and place, one should, with love, offer food prepared with ghee to the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and then offer the prasada to a suitable person - a Vaisnava or brahmana.
- One should offer all the prasada to a Vaisnava or offer him some of the prasada and then take some oneself. After this, one should offer the Deity acamana and then betel nut and then again worship the Lord.
Temple Standards and Hospitality
According to the strict standards established by the ācāryas, those who serve the Deity must also be expert in receiving guests. Śrīla Prabhupāda insists that a temple's spiritual vibrancy is demonstrated by its hospitality, specifically the generous distribution of prasādam to all visiting Vaiṣṇavas, ensuring they are treated with the honor due to an elder or a guest of the Lord.
- All the servitors of the Deity must be strictly qualified as brahmanas and, specifically, must engage in the Vaisnava custom of offering as much prasadam as possible and distributing it to the devotees who visit the temple to see the Lord.
- He may be treated as a guest, if he comes to our center, give him prasadam, honor him as an elder Vaisnava, but he cannot speak or lecture. If he wants to lecture, you can tell him that there is already another speaker scheduled. That's all.
- Then the Lord told Kasi Misra and the temple superintendent, "As for the remnants of food left by Jagannatha, let them be delivered to Vaninatha Raya's charge, for he can take care of all the Vaisnavas and distribute maha-prasadam to them".
The Danger of Superficial Display
Genuine service requires internal purity, and Śrīla Prabhupāda, echoing Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, warns against "showbottle" devotional service. Offering prasādam to Vaiṣṇavas must be done with a sincere heart to please the Lord and His devotees, rather than as a mechanism to display one's wealth, aristocratic birth, or social prestige while remaining attached to material enjoyment.
- Bhaktisiddhanta says that people who are advanced in learning but attached to material enjoyment, who are puffed up by birth in an elevated aristocratic family may offer showbottle devotional service to the Deity and also offer prasadam to Vaisnavas.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that people who are advanced in learning but attached to material enjoyment, who are puffed up by material possessions may offer showbottle devotional service to the Deity and also offer prasadam to Vaisnavas.
Historical Examples of Distribution
The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates provide the perfect blueprint for this custom. The Lord personally took charge of distributing mahā-prasādam to the Vaiṣṇavas, ensuring that varieties of food were offered and that everyone, including seniors like Advaita Ācārya, was served with great care and attention.
- After saying this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered that varieties of prasadam offered to Lord Jagannatha be brought. The Lord then gave him the prasadam, separately packed, to offer to various Vaisnavas and His mother.
- Accommodations have been arranged for all the Vaisnavas. Now let us distribute maha-prasadam to all of them.
- You may sit down and accept the luncheon with Nityananda Prabhu, and I shall distribute the prasadam to all the Vaisnavas.
- He delivered all the prasadam to such great Vaisnavas as Advaita Acarya. Thus he stayed there and behaved according to the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Conclusion
The custom of offering prasādam to the devotees of God is a vital spiritual discipline that transcends mere social interaction. It is a practical manifestation of vaiṣṇava etiquette that facilitates the flow of mercy and strengthens the community of devotees. Whether through the management of temple resources or the personal service of saints like Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the distribution of sanctified food is shown to be an act of love that pleases the Supreme Lord. However, as the teachings warn, this service must be performed with genuine humility and not for superficial recognition, ensuring that the true spiritual benefit is realized by both the giver and the receiver.
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 Offering Prasadam to the Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.