# PRASADAM ## The Importance of Prasadam ==68-10== “ *Bhunjate te tv agham papa, ye pacanty atma-karant* . ==Anyone who is cooking for himself, he is eating simply volumes of sin. In the material world, either a man is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, they’re simply eating sin, and they will have to suffer the consequence.== But so far as we are concerned, we are eating remnants of foodstuff which was offered to Krsna, so we are not afraid of anything. If Krsna wants vegetable foodstuff, therefore we supply Him vegetable foodstuff, and if He wants non-vegetarian foodstuff, we can offer Him also, but He does not want it, as it is explicitly stated in the *Bhagavad-gita* . So we are concerned with Krsna *prasadam* , there is no comparison of nutrition with any other foodstuff all over the universe. If this group however, is ready to hear something about Krsna consciousness, the philosophy of *Bhagavad-gita* , it is not religious. It is essential information for human life. So all these old men and women, they should be interested in the value of life. There are many vegetarian animals also; the monkeys are vegetarians, the pigeons are vegetarians, so to become a vegetarian is not very good credit. But to become Krsna conscious is the most important business of life. You should try to convince your friends in that way. They should try to learn about Krsna consciousness. But because they are vegetarians, there is a great possibility for them to understand this philosophy.” (SPL to Nandarani, October 17 * * th* , 1968) ==68-11== “I have noted your questions carefully, and regarding your question about the *prasadam* recipes, ==Krsna is offered foodstuff in goodness.== The foodstuffs in the mode of goodness are wheat, rice, pulse (beans and peas), sugar, honey, butter, all milk preparations, vegetables, flowers, fruits and grains. ==So these foods can be offered in any shape, but prepared in various ways by the intelligence of the devotees.== The ingredients are always the same as above, whether you fry them, boil them, bake them, powder them, or whatever way they are combined or cooked, the idea is that they must come from this group of foodstuffs. So you can make your own recipe if you like, so long as the ingredients are within this group. I hope this will clarify the questions about *prasadam* preparations for you to understand.” (SPL to Kris, 13 * * th* November, 1968) ## ==67-10 “Brown rice is generally doubly boiled, therefore it cannot be used for Krsna prasadam. Unpolished rice which looks like brown [rice] can be used. Generally in America the brown rice is doubly boiled therefore is unfit. We do not mind polished or unpolished but doubly boiled mustn’t be used. Doubly boiled rice is considered impure. Sun baked rice is all right.”== *(SPL to Mahapurusa, 17**th* October, 1967) ==67-10 “Use brown or unrefined sugar if you can find it. Hope you are well.”== (SPL to Pradyumna, 17 * * th* October, 1967) ==68-02== “Brijbasi Co. are not ordinary businessmen; they are devotees. So their pictures aren’t poisonous. Even it is poison, because we are paying for their goods, therefore if poison is there, it becomes ineffective. Just like ==we are buying so many things at the market which are not fit for offering to Krsna, but because we are purchasing them, we can offer.”== (SPL to Jadurani, 15 * * th* February, 1968) ==68-10== “Regarding your questions, you want to offer something in the evening to Krsna besides fruit and milk, so there is no harm. Because Krsna can eat as many times as you give Him to eat, because He is unlimited. He can eat unlimitedly, provided we can supply foodstuffs unlimitedly. But that is not possible for us. Therefore, we limit the supply. But anyway, if you can increase the offerings it is very nice. But one thing is that whatever you make in routine work to offer Him foodstuff, that should be continued. Do not change it. So if you can continue to offer foodstuff like fruits and milk in the evening, you can introduce that system. There is no harm. Your second question, ==ice cream purchased from the market may not be offered, because such ice cream contains sometimes undesirable things, which we should not offer. We must offer to Krsna only first-class prepared foodstuff, especially made at home.== We shall try to avoid as far as possible goods purchased from the market and offered to Krsna.” (SPL to Syama dasi, October 21 * * st* , 1968) ==68-12== “So far as explaining my letter to Kris, I have listed the ingredients for preparing *prasadam* but these various varieties of foodstuffs may be prepared either in the given recipes or if you like you may invent nice new formulas for offering. The important thing is that your preparations be palatable for Lord Krsna and that the ingredients be within the groups of ingredients already listed. ==You have asked me about sassafras and yes, it may be offered. Mushrooms are generally not offered, but there is no prohibition; there is no harm in them.”== ([[letters/1968/681201_gurudasa|Harer Nama, 1 December, 1968]]) ==68-12 “So far as offering Krsna apple cider, this can be done only if is prepared by devotees. These food manufacturers do not take proper precautions in cleanliness nor do they have devotion to Krsna in their labors so it is not a very acceptable offering. If you can make this preparation yourself then it will be all right.”== (SPL to Rukmini, 19*th December, 1968) ==69-03 *== “So far the cucumber pickles: as far as possible we should not offer to the Deity things which are prepared by non-devotees. We can accept from them raw fruits, grains or similar raw things. So far as cooking and preparing, that should be strictly limited to the initiated devotees.* And aside from this, vinegar is not good; it is *tamasic* , in the darkness, nasty food. So I think we shall not accept these pickles.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 24 * * th* March, 1969) ==69-07 “Regarding frozen vegetables, they are not bad, but if they are twice boiled, then they should not be used. I do not know exactly, but I do not think it is twice boiled. Anyway, if it is, should not be used.”== (SPL to Upendra, 5 * * th* July 1969) ==69-07 “No, it is not very good to use yeast in preparing prasadam. It is better to prepare bread in the process you have seen done in the temple. I hope this will answer all of your important questions.”== (SPL to Bibhavati, 15 * * th* July, 1969) ==69-10 “I have duly receive the bananas you sent, and you can send me these dried bananas tons and tons. It is very useful and can be nicely used for our Ekadasi foodstuffs. After drying the bananas you can make powder, just like flour, and out of this you can prepare puris, halavah, pakoras and other fruit products.”== (SPL to Govinda dasi, October 27 * * th,* 1969) ==69-12== “Regarding purchasing things in the market, these items are considered as purified when we pay the price for them. That is the general instruction. ==But when we know something is adulterated, we should avoid it. But unknowingly if something is purchased, that is not our fault. Things which are suspicious, however, should be avoided.== It is for this reason that in our Vedic culture the people used to keep a number of cows without any expenditure, and the milk drawn out of them was utilized for so many purposes, very, very useful in life. Lord Krsna in His early childhood life is the vivid example of this way of social life.” (SPL to Krsna dasa, December 25 * * th* , 1969) ==70-02 “Any foodstuff suspects to contain untouchable ingredients should never be used in the temple.== Yogurt can be prepared in the temple, it is not very difficult. Boil the milk at night, put a little yogurt in it, and the next morning you will find it full of yogurt. You can ask New Vrndavana; they are practically preparing all these things.” (SPL to Harer Nama, 11 * * th* February, 1970) ==71-11 “Because mushrooms grow in a filthy place, they are not usually offered to Krsna.”== (SPL to Himavati, November 17 * * th* , 1971) ==72-02== “So far foodstuff offered, do the needful. Whatever is available and also very nice, that is offerable. As long as no meat, fish, eggs, garlic, onions, or other very objectionable foodstuffs are there. Salads are all right, and ==there is no condition on which type of rice, the best available under the circumstances, that’s all. What matters is that everything is very nicely prepared and offered with great loving devotion, that is wanted.”== (SPL to Upendra, February 19 * * th* , 1972) ==72-10 “Regarding the preparation of rice by steaming and then drying, we can offer such rice even if it is twice-cooked. Gaudiya Matha offers, even during the presence of Prabhupāda it was done, so there is no wrong. It is called cira. I never took cira except in Gaudiya Matha.”== (SPL to Jayapataka, 22 * * nd* October, 1972) ==74-11 “Regarding the lollipops, there is nothing wrong. It is something attractive I can understand, an introduction of friendship. What is the wrong? It is sugar, so it can be offered to the Deity. Just like here we can offer sweets purchased from the market place. It is stated in the sastras that if you pay something for it, it is purified even if there is some fault in it.”== (SPL to Jagadisa dasa, 12 * * th* November, 1974) ==76-04== “I am in due receipt of your letter dated February 7th, 1976 addressed to Hrdayananda Maharaja. Concerning the use of sour cream in the temple, it should be stopped immediately. ==Nothing should be offered to the Deities which is purchased in the stores. Things produced by the karmis should not be offered to Radha-Krsna.== Ice cream, if you can prepare, is OK, but not otherwise. Now you have such a big stock of this sour cream, so sell the stock at any cost. Who is this rascal who has purchased without permission?” (SPL to Puru dasa, 6 * * th* April, 1976) ## Recipes ==68-04 “Milk and salt should never be mixed, it is improper, and will cause leprosy. But salt can be mixed with yogurt.”== (SPL to Aniruddha, April 9 * * th* , 1968) ==69-06 “I am pleased to learn that you are thinking of putting together a cookbook of our Krsna prasada recipes.== I understand that in London Yamuna dasi has already done some work on this same project, so you may correspond with her in this connection. I know that at our feast especially many persons become interested in preparing foodstuffs in this way, so this cookbook is a nice thing to instruct such persons in preparing and offering nice *prasadam* for the Lord. So when there is some tangible book ready for publication please inform me and we shall try to arrange for its publication. I am pleased to note your description of the increasing interest in vegetarian diet in this country. Actually, the practice of meat-eating is very detrimental to spiritual life, because in spiritual life the goal is to become free from all sinful reactions, and meat eating means simply to force oneself to suffer the sinful reactions of killing our fellow living entities. So, as many people will be taking to practicing spiritual life through the influence of our *sankirtana* movement, such a cookbook will be very important and you should work for this as you are able. Please convey my blessings to your husband, Dinesh, and to your child, Visnu Arati. I hope this will find you all well.” (SPL to Krsna devi, 15 * * th* June, 1969) ==69-07== “I thank you very much for your letter of July 3, 1969, sent along with the cheese. But the cheese has gone bad. ==Perhaps you did not note it what I said that this cheese should be made into sandesa;== that is a quarter part of cheese should be mixed with sugar and fried in a pan, constantly stirring till it is almost hard. Then after taking it down, knead it nicely and then prepare small balls. This *sandesa* can be kept at least for a fortnight without damage, but cheese cannot be kept more than three days. It reached me, but it had gone sour. If you can prepare *sandesa* and send it to me, it will be very nice. So try it, and if it comes out successful, you can send it to me.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 5 * * th* July, 1969) ==69-07== “I am so pleased to learn that everything is going very nicely in New Vrndavana now, and the men, women and children devotees are all happily executing their daily functions. I have received the cheese you have sent, and although it was nice, there are yet some improvements to be made. The improvements are that first you should put the cheese in a frying pan and stir vigorously, adding ¼ of sugar. While on the fire it should be stirred and mixed as nicely as possible. Then while it is cooling it should still be stirred as nicely as possible. Then when it is cooled you should knead it to make dough. When it is soft enough you can shape it into squares or round shapes as you like. ==The cheese you have already sent was not bad, but this procedure will improve upon it further.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 21 * * st* July, 1969) ==69-08 “Regarding your recipe for pickling foodstuffs, it is all right, but it will be nicer still if you follow the following procedure:== cut berries, green apples or green tomatoes into pieces. Without adding water, add a mixture of equal quantities of salt, turmeric and red peppers. Then let it be dried in the sunlight as far as possible. When this is done, put it either in mustard oil or olive oil, and it will then keep for years.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, August 6 * * th* , 1969) ==69-08 “Regarding mango recipe directions, it may be done as follows:== first of all collect the juice, then boil it on fire until it is a thick pulp. And while boiling, add a little salt also. That will act as a preservaive; but don’t make it salty. Then spread the boiled pulp in thin layers on dishes or suitable pots and dry it in the sunshine. I think it will come out successful…If you take green bananas, peel them and put them out in the sun to dry for one, two, three days—till it is dry—then these may be sent to me, especially when I go to Europe. This is a very good tonic for the liver, and I am now having these unripened bananas daily in Los Angeles.” (SPL to Govinda dasa, August 17 * * th* , 1969) ==69-10 “Please send mango slab. I just learned it is not available here.”== (SPL to Brahmananda, 3 * * rd* October, 1969) ==69-10 “Srimati Jayasri dasi sent me some dried banana chips and they are very nice for my Ekadasi food. Is it possible to send us in large quantity this foodstuff? If not, please try to send me at least one small packet like that every fortnight. It is very nice. The mango pulp, a sample of which was also sent to me, I don’t think it has come out very nice, so there is no need of sending it.”== (SPL to Gaurasundara, 20 * * th* November, 1969) ==69-11 “I have also received the fresh macadamia nuts which you have sent me, and they were very delicious.”== (SPL to Upendra, 26 * * th* November, 1969) ==70-01 “Salt should be added to vegetables after they are in masala, it should not be cooked directly in the ghee. Regarding recipes for a cookbook, I think Yamuna devi has made one collection of prasadam recipes so you may contact her in this connection.”== (SPL to Dinesh, 22 * * nd* January, 1970) ==70-01 “I have also received the dried banana, 8 packages altogether and they are being fully utilized. For the time being she may not send any more of them, but I think if she prepares more of them in the sunshine of Hawaii and keeps them in stock, they will not go bad.”== (SPL to Gaurasundara, 24 * * th* January, 1970) ==71-07 “In answer to Krsna devi’s questions: I have not received your cookbook as of yet; mustard seed, etc.== — ==these are exciting spices and should be avoided; vegetable ghee is all right if real ghee is not available or easily acquired.”== (SPL to Dinesh Candra, 13 * * th* July, 1971) ==75-09== “I’m glad to hear that Miami has got their new property and temple. I understand they have many mango trees there. When is the mango season there in Florida? ==I am very fond of mangoes and when they are produced on our own property, then they become more palatable. It is a fact that if you purchase fruit in the market, it is not as palatable as if it comes from your own tree. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotees were very fond of mangoes.== Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He immediately produced one mango tree at the house of Srinivasa and He was daily distributing mangoes.” (SPL to Satsvarupa Maharaja, 18 * * th* September, 1975) ==76-07 “As you say that the mango season is fast approaching, then I will come and visit by April or May. Everyone knows that I am very fond of mangoes. Actually amongst all fruits I like the most. They are considered the king of fruits. And Hawaii has very excellent mangoes.”== (SPL to Sukadeva dasa, 4 * * th* February, 1976) ==76-07== “In Miami there are so many mangoes and coconuts. I am enjoying the dobs from Florida. The orange ones especially are very nice. I am taking one each day. ==From the green mangoes you can make pickles.== Cut them into pieces with skin intact, and sprinkle with salt and turmeric. Dry them well in the sunshine and put into mustard oil. They will keep for years, and you can enjoy with your eating. They are nice and soft and good for digestion. If no vegetable is available, you can eat them with *puris* , similarly with pickled chilies. When mango pickles and chili pickles are combined, it is very tasteful.” (SPL to Balavanta, 8 * * th* July, 1976) ## Cooking and Kitchen Rules ==67-12== “We should offer foodstuffs to the Deity and allow enough time to eat them. These are all transcendental sentiments. At Vrndavana, the Deities are offered foodstuffs and time is allowed as in the case of others. Yes, before offering anything to the Deity you must be satisfied that it is a first-class offering and ==there is no objection if you taste it by smelling. But you should not smell for other purposes. The whole idea is that devotional service should always be immune from sense gratification.”== (SPL to Madhusudana, 28 * * th* December, 1967) ==68-02 “If, in the cooking process, food falls on the floor, if it is raw and can be washed nicely, then it can be offered. But if it is prepared and cannot be washed, then it is not to be offered, but can be eaten rather than wasted.”== (SPL to Jadurani, 15 * * th* February, 1968) ==68-03 “Regarding kitchen affairs, as a rule those who are not initiated may not enter into the kitchen affairs, but uninitiated members can work under the guidance of another initiated member when there is great need. So the direction which you are giving to the willing girls to help with the kitchen affairs is not objectionable. You can go on doing that.”== (SPL to Rupanuga, 3 * * rd* March, 1968) ==68-03 “The dishwashing occupation is open to anyone who wishes to help. There is no restriction. Also, non-initiates may help in cooking prasadam under the direction of devotees. That is all right.”== (SPL to Jadurani, 16 * * th* March, 1968) ==68-03 “Yes, a non-initiate can work under the direction of a devotee in the kitchen. So Eric can certainly work under your direction in the kitchen for distribution of prasada. That is very nice.”== (SPL to Mahapurusa, 28 * * th* March, 1968) ==68-04 “Milk and salt should never be mixed. It is improper and will cause leprosy. But salt can be mixed with yogurt.”== (SPL to Aniruddha, 9 * * th* April, 1968) ==68-06== “Yes, I have noted your questions about serving of *prasada* . The main thing is that whenever *prasada* is offered to the Lord, everything should be very respectfully and cleanly presented and prepared. In Jaganatha Puri, the Lord eats fifty-six times. So the Lord can eat as many times as you can offer. But the only thing is, whatever is offered must be with respect and devotion. (He is neither hungry nor poor, nor unable to eat, but He accepts everything, when such eatable is within the groups of vegetables, fruits, flowers, milk, water, etc. and offered to Him with love and devotion, and faith. He wants our love only, and that makes Him hungry for eating as many times as you may offer. He is absolute, therefore, all contradictory points coincide in Him. He is hungry and satisfied simultaneously. So the purport is that everything should be offered very cleanly and pure things should be given). If a preparation is cooked all together, then offer all together. But if it is prepared separately, then the milk, the sugar and the cereal should be offered separately. But if the milk, sugar and grains are all cooked together, that can be done. Everything should be prepared very carefully and cleanly within groups of foods listed. And nothing should ever be eaten before offering to the Lord. Best thing is to prepare separately each preparation. No, food which has been offered should never be put back into the refrigerator with un-offered foods, or brought back into the kitchen. You should prepare as much as can be consumed, and after offering, nothing should be put back in the refrigerator, or kitchen. Refrigerator should always be very clean and pure. Everyone should be careful to make only as much as they can eat; they cannot keep any leftovers in the refrigerator. I know this is a practice in your country, but in temples or at the homes of any Krsna conscious persons, a person should not indulge in such unclean habits. If there is any extra food, that should be kept separately; and if there is a separate refrigerator, not within the kitchen and not having in it any unoffered foods, then you may have such special refrigerator for leftover *prasada* . But it cannot be kept within the same refrigerator as the unoffered, unprepared foods. That cannot be. One should never eat within the kitchen; there is ample place to eat so why eat in the kitchen? Kitchen should be considered as good as the Lord’s room and nobody should wear shoes in the kitchen, smelling and tasting of food prepared for the Lord should never be done and talking within the kitchen should be only what is necessary for preparing the *prasada* , or about the Lord, and dirty dishes (those taken from kitchen and eaten from) should not be brought back into the kitchen but if there is no other place to wash them, then they should be put into sink and washed immediately. ==The hands should always be washed when preparing prasada, and in this way, everything shall be prepared very cleanly and purely. What is the difficulty in enforcing these rules?== They are rules, and they are simple rules, and must be followed. One must be prepared to follow the rules for Krsna. Otherwise, where is the proof that he loves Krsna? And they are not very difficult to follow.” (SPL to Aniruddha, 16 * * th* June, 1968) ==69-03== “So for the cucumber pickles: ==as far as possible we should not offer to the Deity things which are prepared by non-devotees. We can accept from them raw fruits, grains or similar raw things. So far as cooking preparing, that should be strictly limited to the initiated devotees.== And aside from this, vinegar is not good; it is *tamasic* , in the darkness, nasty food. So I think we shall not accept these pickles.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 24 * * th* March, 1969) ==70-01== “Regarding your question: ’What is meant by an object regaining spiritual quality?’ The answer is that Krsna is pure knowledge and therefore He is the Supreme Person. In other words He is the Supreme Power and His Power is manifested throughout by different energies, as much as the power of fireplace is expanded by light and heat. When we perceive heat and light, it means that we perceive the original fireplace. The perception of Krsna in everything is actually Krsna consciousness. In our conditioned state we take it for granted something is separated from Krsna. But actually it is not so. Nothing can be separated from Krsna; everything is resting on Krsna; therefore, any thing which we consider now matter, when dovetailed for the cause of the Absolute Truth or Krsna, regains its spiritual quality. Another example may be cited in this connection. ==When we cook foodstuffs in the kitchen for eating ourselves, it is a different thing from the foodstuff which is prepared and offered to Krsna. The same dal, rice is material for one purpose but the same thing becomes spiritual when it is dovetailed with Krsna.== So on the higher platform, there is nothing material when everything is accepted in relationship with Krsna or the Supreme Spirit. I think this will clarify your question. (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, 10 * * th* January, 1970) ==70-03 “So far chaunce is concerned, I think you have been wrongly advise to burn the cumin seeds and chilies until they are very black.== The chilies should be added to the hot ghee just after the cumin seed begins to darken in color, and both of them should become brown, but not black or burnt. I think this adjustment with a little trial will improve the *dal* for offering to the Deities.” (SPL to Harer Nama, 15 * * th* March, 1970) ==70-07 “I thank you very much for sending me the Jaganatha pera. This is a very nice sweetmeat, so you learn the art how to prepare it. I think it is purchased from some Indian shop. But you should try to prepare it yourself.”== (SPL to Yamuna, 7 * * th* July, 1970) ==70-07 “I have also received the pera and it is very nice. I know that you prepare everything very carefully for the Deities. You can offer the Deities as many varieties of sweetmeats as possible.”== (SPL to Yamuna, 26 * * th* July, 1970) ==71-01== “Bruce has not yet taken his initiation. He wants to remain with us independently. I have no objection for such conclusion but ==unless he is properly initiated, he cannot help you either in the kitchen or with Deity worship, but he can help you in translating and other activities.== Our whole process is on the basis of surrender. I think he is lacking in that spirit. So I have given my permission for him to return to Japan. Try to train him to the right path.” (SPL to Sudama, January 22 * * nd* , 1971) ==71-01== “So far as Deity worship is concerned, for the present you can have Guru-Gauranga altar and later on when there are more devotees there and you have facility, Lord Jaganatha or Radha-Krsna Deity may be installed. ==Only initiated devotees may tend the Deity or cook for Him== , so for the present you can set up a very attractive Guru-Gauranga altar and that will be very nice.” (SPL to Sukadeva, Januar 27 * * th* , 1971) ==71-04 “As far as possible, non-initiated devotees may not enter the kitchen or Deity area. They can help from outside.”== (SPL to Nayanabhirama, April 4 * * th* , 1971) ==71-05 “Yes, do not take too much foodstuffs; take so that no remnants are left. Immediately after, the dishes should be washed, or paper dishes thrown away. But do not throw away prasadam. Better to take a little less than to have leftover for saving. That is not good.”== (SPL to Jadurani, 19 * * th* May, 1971) ==71-07== “I am so pleased to know that you have been recommended by Sriman Bhagavan dasa Prabhu for *Gayatri mantra* initiation. Actually that is what I am trying to do in your country, is to establish a brahminical society. So when I see that these young American boys are becoming eligible by qualification to take second initiation and become qualified *brahmanas* , I become very much pleased and my Guru Maharaja becomes pleased also. So you must live up to the rules and regulations of brahminical life. First and foremost is cleanliness. In your country they have so many filthy habits. For example they don’t wash after eating. A *brahmana* does not do like that. If he did so in India, he would be highly criticized. So even if you eat a little, still you must wash immediately. And the place that you eat at must be washed off immediately also. In this way. A *brahmana’s* name is *suci* , or one who is clean. In the toilet room wash with water and wash your hands with soap. Then wash feet, face and mouth. Your cloth must be washed daily, especially any cloth used to sleep in. ==In the kitchen also, things should be kept spotless and cooking should only be done by brahmanas; others may assist. That is the same procedure followed with Deity worship.== So these are some of the points to note in brahminical life. Keep yourself clean outside by bathing, etc. and clean inside by chanting Hare Krsna *mantra* . Go on in this way and your rapid advancement in Krsna consciousness will be certain.” (SPL to Laksmi Narayana, July 8 * * th* , 1971) ==71-11== “And Krsna has made Himself available in the form of very nice brass *Murtis* from Washington DC. It is not necessary also that Lord Jaganatha come along. Sometimes He is misunderstood also. The Deities can be installed in a temple and then taken for traveling. That will be best. So far Silavati’s other questions: the large brass Deities can be bathed the same as the small ones if they can be handled easily; ==cooking can go on after the Deity’s plate is made. Without offering to the Deity, nobody can be supplied, but after the offering if there are so many men and more is required then how can it be stopped?== In Vrndavana, *dhupa* is offered without a flower sometimes, but either way is all right. If a flower can be offered, then that is nice; generally sandalwood paste is offered on the forehead, but on other parts of the body is all right; *kumkum* powder should be offered on the feet.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, November 6 * * th* , 1971) ==74-11 “The right thing is that only twice initiated brahmana disciples cook in the temple.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Swami, 23 * * rd* November, 1974) ==74-11== “Regarding the *prasada* , I never approved of Mr. Malkani cooking in the temple. He is not initiated. Of course he is Hindu, but he went there to start his business. But, ==he is not initiated to cook in the temple. Any paid cook is not desirable.== Who was cooking formerly? He wanted to start his business, not to be engaged by us. ==The independent cooking done in the temple is not good.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Swami, 23 * * rd* November, 1974) ==74-11 “Regarding the cooking, a non-brahmana may assist but he cannot cook.”== (SPL to Sukadeva dasa, 24 * * th* Novemer, 1974) ==74-12== “Thank you for your kind sentiments. You should try to become expert at making these nice milk products. The cow is the most wonderful animal and she is so beneficial for human society, giving so many gifts in the form of milk products. ==And you can turn all those milk products into wonderful preparations to offer to Radha-Krsna and thus your life will become perfect.== Please continue advancing in Krsna consciousness by this wonderful method, reading our books daily, chanting sixteen rounds daily, following the regulative principles, rising early, etc. Thank you.” (SPL to Parvati, 17 * * th* December, 1974) ==75-05== “I was very much encouraged by this nice report you have given. Continue to organize the guest house. This is very important. Do it very nicely with the cooperation of Dr. Verma. ==In the evening, you must have many varieties of first-class ghee cooked preparations offered to the Deity and you can sell the prasada.== The LA standard is good, but still you should have a better standard. You should make *kacoris, samosa,* etc. ==If it is required, a professional confectioner may be employed== . The Deity worship must be done very gorgeously. The twenty-four hour chanting is very encouraging to me. Please continue all as I have given you. I have full faith in both of you.” (SPL to Aksayananda Swami and Dhananjaya, 26 * * th* May, 1975) ==75-05 “In your country the Deity should not go without shirt. Gaura-Nitai may wear turbans. Nothing should be offered to Krsna unless it is prepared by the devotees themselves.”== (SPL to Anangamanjari devi, 28 * * th* May, 1975) ==75-11 “I very much appreciate your service. In the kitchen you should please see that nothing is wasted.”== (SPL to Upendra dasa, 10 * * th* November, 1975) ==76-01== “I am glad to know that new men are coming to help with the activities in Vrndavana temple. ==The kitchen department should be very clean and things should not be wasted. This is the first consideration.== Yesterday we have visited a very old and famous Ranganatha temple here in Nellore. Everything is being managed very nicely and there are very nice arrangements for those who come for *darsana* . So similarly our temple in Vrndavana must be managed expertly so that everyone who comes is given *caranamrta* and *prasadam* of the Deity.” (SPL to Aksayananda Maharaja, 6 * * th* January, 1976) ==76-07 “Unless one is initiated they cannot cook. They must be regular disciples then they can do Deity worship. So there is no question of the outsiders cooking in the New Delhi temple.”== (SPL to Gopala Krsna dasa, 11 * * th* July, 1976) ==76-10 “Regarding the offering of spinach, just it should be very clean== — ==everything should be done very cleanly.”== (SPL to Balavanta dasa, 4 * * th* October, 1976) ## Offering Prasadam ==68-01== “Regarding your questions: yes, ==leave Krsna’s plate for fifteen to twenty minutes or more, not more than a half hour. After offering the plate, the balance in the pots should be distributed immediately.== The plate can remain on the altar while the rest is being distributed. Any initiated girl can take part in preparation of *prasadam* , and even a boy who is not initiated cannot take part.” (SPL to Balai, 25 * * th* January, 1968) ==68-01 “Yes, fifteen minutes is sufficient time for the offering to remain on the altar.”== (SPL to Madhusudana, 1 * * st* February, 1968) ==68-02 “Yes, when Jaganatha goes to sleep and when He rises up, to ring the bell is the custom. Ringing of bell is required even for offering prasadam. That is the system in all the temples in Vrndavana.”== (SPL to Madhusudana, 1 * * st* February, 1968) ==68-02 “Foodstuffs can be offered at any place but with devotion and formalities.”== (SPL to Madhusudana, 1 * * st* February, 1968) ==68-02== “Regarding offering food: ==the custom is to offer the foodstuff first to the spiritual master; we cannot do anything directly. The spiritual masters accepts the offering on behalf of his disciple and offers the same to Krsna.== After Krsna’s eating, the spiritual master eats it, and the devotees take it as *maha-prasada* . This is the system. Everything is offered to the spiritual master first, with the prayer: *nama om Visnu padaya* … If, in the cooking process, the food falls on the floor, if it is raw it can be washed nicely, then it can be offered. But if it is prepared and cannot be washed, then it is not to be offered, but can be eaten rather than be wasted.” (SPL to Jadurani, 15 * * th* February, 1968) ==68-02 “Once prasadam (water or foodstuffs) is offered to the Lord, His plate should remain on the altar for about fifteen to twenty minutes (while the portion in the pots may be taken by the devotees). Water need only remain there for a few minutes. Once the prasadam is removed from the altar, and touched by us it shold not again be place on the altar. Whatever we offer should be as fresh and pure as is possible.”== (SPL to Karunamayi, 25 * * th* February, 1968) ==68-03 “Yes, you may say the prayer to the spiritual master three times and also the namo brahmanya… prayer three times when offering prasada. That is very nice, to say the mantra three times. Also, you may, after offering to the spiritual master, offer to Lord Caitanya by saying the prayer: namo maha-vadanyaya… three times and then offer to Krsna thrice== *.* ==”== (SPL to Balai, 22 * * nd* March, 1968) ==68-05== “Regarding your two questions: ==for offering prasada, simply prayer to the spiritual master is sufficient. The process is that everything is offered to the spiritual master and the spiritual master is supposed to offer the same foodstuff to the Lord.== When a thing is offered to the spiritual master, he immediately offers to the Lord. That is the system, and as we come by *parampara* system, it is our duty to go through the right channel—namely, first the spiritual master, then Lord Caitanya, and then Lord Krsna. So when we chant prayers we do this: *vande ’ham sri-guroh* … and gradually to the Goswamis, then to Lord Caitanya, then to Radha-Krsna. That is the praying system. But offering the *prasada* to present everything before the spiritual master whose picture is also on the altar, means that the spiritual master will take care of the offering of the foodstuff for the Lord. Therefore, simply by chanting the prayer to the spiritual master, everything will be complete.” (SPL to Harer Nama, 28 * * th* May, 1968) ==68-06 “If a preparation is cooked all together, then offer all together. But if it is prepared separately, then the milk, the sugar and the cereal should be offered separately.== But if the milk, sugar and grains are all cooked together, that can be done. Everything should be prepared very carefully and cleaned within the groups of foods listed. And nothing should ever be eaten before offering to the Lord. Best thing is to prepare separately each preparation. No, food which has been offered should never be put back into the refrigerator with unoffered foods, or brought back into the kitchen. You should prepare as much as can be consumed, and after offering, nothing should be put back in refrigerator, or kitchen. Refrigerator should always be very cleansed and pure. Everyone should be careful to make only as much as they can eat; they cannot keep any leftovers in refrigerator. I know this is a practice in your country, but in the temples or at homes of any Krsna consciousness persons, a person should not indulge in such unclean habits. If there is any food extra, that should be kept separately; and if there is a separate refrigerator, not within the kitchen and not having in it any unoffered foods, then you may have such special refrigerator for leftover *prasadam* . But it cannot be kept within the same refrigerator as the unoffered, unprepared foods. That cannot be. One should never eat within the kitchen, there is ample place to eat so why should one eat in the kitchen? Kitchen should be considered as good as the Lord’s room, and nobody should wear shoes in the kitchen, smelling and tasting of foods being prepared for the Lord should never be done, talking within the kitchen should be only what is necessary for preparing the *prasadam,* or about the Lord, and dirty dishes (taken from the kitchen and eaten from) should not be brought back into the kitchen (but if there is no other place to wash them, then they should be put into the sink and washed immediately.), hands should always be washed when preparing *prasadam* , and in this way, everything shall be prepared very cleanly and pure. What is the difficulty of enforcing these rules? They are rules, and they are simple rules, and must be followed. One must be prepared to follow the rules for Krsna. Otherwise where is the proof that he loves Krsna. And they are not very difficult to follow.” (SPL to Aniruddha, June 16 * * th* , 1968) ==68-10== “Regarding your questions, you want to offer something in the evening to Krsna besides fruit and milk, so there is no harm. Because Krsna can eat as many times as you give Him to eat, because He is unlimited. He can eat unlimitedly, provided we can supply foodstuffs unlimitedly. But that is not possible for us. Therefore, we limit the supply. But anyway, if you can increase the offerings it is very nice. But one thing is that ==whatever you make in routine work to offer Him foodstuff, that should be continued. Do not change it.== So if you can continue to offer foodstuff like fruits and milk in the evening, you can introduce that system. There is no harm. Your second question, ice cream purchased from the market may not be offered, because such ice cream contains sometimes undesirable things, which we should not offer. We must offer to Krsna only first-class prepared foodstuff, especially made at home. We shall try to avoid as far as possible goods purchased from the market and offered to Krsna.” (SPL to Syama dasi, October 21 * * st* , 1968) ==69-02 “Regarding prasadam offered to the Deities, you will take from the cooked foodstuffs in a plate just sufficient for one man’s eating, and this prasadam should be offered to the Deity, not the whole quantity.== The rest of the foodstuff may remain in the oven to keep it hot until the devotees accept it and honor it. The plate offered to the Deities must be kept fifteen to twenty minutes so that the major portion of the foodstuffs will be remaining warm in the oven, and the devotees will therefore not be dissatisfied. I think this practice will solve the question.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 14 * * th* February, 1969) ==69-06 “It is all right to make up the plates for the feast as you have suggested so the guests will not have so long a wait after the offering. The first plate made up, Krsna’s plate, should be kept in a high place, a separate place, and covered. Then it is all right.”== (SPL to Tamala Krsna, 12 * * th* June, 1969) ==69-06 “Regarding your question about offering prasada, whatever is offered to the Deity actually goes through the spiritual master. The spiritual master offers to Lord Caitanya and Lord Caitanya offers it to Krsna.== Then Radha-Krsna eats, or Jagannatha eats, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu eats, then the spiritual masters eats, and it becomes *maha-prasada* . So when you offer something you think like that and chant the *Gayatri mantra* and then everything is complete. At last, ring the bell, take out the plate and wipe the place where the plate was kept.” (SPL to Arundhati, 16 * * th* June, 1969) ==69-07== “Regarding *Gayatri mantra* , Arundhati’s insistence is not very good. ==If she wants to offer prasada to the Deities she can simply chant the Hare Krsna mantra.== There is no need of chanting *Gayatri mantra.* One has to be formally accepted by the spiritual master for this, so you can tell her this fact. That is not the system. For the time being, if Arundhati wants to offer *prasadam* , the Hare Krsna *mantra* will do.” (SPL to Pradyumna, 4 * * th* July, 1969) ==70-11 “Please see that the schedule of offering is done regularly without any break.== To worship the Deity or to worship Panca-tattva means that there can be no upsetting of the schedule of offerings. You have seen our LA temple and how nicely the *pujaris* are doing everything. So in the same way, try and make your worship equally nice. In that way you will have the full blessings of Srimati Radharani.” (SPL to Tulasi dasa, November 9 * * th* , 1970) ==71-08 “…at every offering of bhoga to the Deities there must be one Tulasi leaf on the plate.”== (SPL to Indira, August 9 * * th* , 1971) ==73-01 “Yes, the leaves of Srimati Tulasi devi may be offered to all Visnu-tattva expansions of Krsna, including Nityananda and Balarama.”== (SPL to Dhruvananda, 4 * * th* January, 1973) ==74-10 “Regarding prasadam, Krsna does not accept any foodstuff offered by a person who is not a devotee.== In the *Bhagavad-gita* it is stated: *patram puspam phalam toyam, yo me bhaktya prayacchati* . (9.26). So the importance is stressed on the *bhakti* , the devotion. Krsna does not accept anything unless one is a pure devotee of Krsna. How to become a pure devotee of Krsna, you have to chant Hare Krsna and follow the four regulative principles of no meat eating, intoxication, illicit sex, or gambling, and you have to follow a guru who is expert in the science of devotional service. If you are serious about understanding Krsna consciousness, you can live with us for some time in one of our centers with your father’s permission and learn the science and do the needful.” (SPL to Frederico Lourenco, 14 * * th* October, 1974) ==75-05 “Nothing should be offered to Krsna unless it is prepared by the devotees themselves.”== (SPL to Ananga-manjari devi, 22 * * nd* May, 1975) ## Taking Prasadam ==68-04 “For dishes, best thing is everyone who is eating prasadam should wash his plate. Otherwise, one man has to do so many dishes. So even the guests should also wash their dishes, that is the system in the temple; not leaving one man to do it.”== (SPL to Aniruddha, April 9 * * th* , 1968) ==68-04== “This conception that when one’s material concept of life is finished, the material vision of this also vanishes. Actually there is one energy of Krsna, which is spiritual. Material consciousness of life means forgetfulness of Krsna; when one is fully Krsna conscious, there is no more any material existence in the vision of such advanced devotee. We have to learn it step by step; just like we prepare *prasadam* , and ordinarily it is rice, *dal* , and *capatis* . But when it is offered to Krsna, it becomes *prasadam.* ==How ordinary rice, dal and capatis turns into spiritual prasadam is to be understood by advancement of Krsna consciousness,== but actually anything in relation with Krsna is spiritual energy.” (SPL to Yadunandana, April 13 * * th* , 1968) ==68-10== “The first thing is that in the meeting with Dr. Spock, you should eat there. But you simply eat vegetarian dishes, like fruit, nuts, boiled potato, biscuit, milk, etc. and remembering Krsna. ==As you will pay for the dinner, for the food, you can offer them to Krsna within your mind, then eat them as Krsna prasada. Any foodstuff, when it is paid for, becomes purified.== There is averse in Vedic literature: *drabya mulyena suddhati* . The source of receipt of the thing, may not be very good, but if one pays for it, it becomes purified. So, a vegetable diet when it is paid for, you can offer it in your mind to Krsna and take it. But this *drabya* means eatables, and eatables meaning vegetables, grains, milk, flowers, fruits; meat is not considered an eatable—it is considered untouchable. Just like if somebody purchases some stool, that does not mean it is now purified. So meat is like that. This *drabya mulyena suddhati* is only in special cases like this. It is not to be done ordinarily, or unless in special circumstance. We should prepare our own foodstuff and offer as much as possible of course.” (SPL to Brahmananda, 6 * * th* October, 1968) ==68-12 “So far as portioning off part of the kitchen for prasada taking area, the idea is very nice. But as usual, no prasada should be taken in the kitchen where cooking is going on.”== (SPL to Brahmananda, 31 * * st* December, 1968) ==69-01== “Another request to you is that because you have so kindly come to see me, it is my duty to instruct you about your spiritual advancement of life. Both of you are so fortunate to become the servitors of Sri Sri Jaganatha Deva, installed by your forefathers. The best thing will be to increase your affection for these Jaganatha Devas, and as such, you should not eat anything which is not offered to Jaganatha Deva. In other words, ==you should take only the prasada of Jaganatha Deva. This practice will so much help you in your spiritual life.== This facility you have got in this life should not be missed. That is my request to both of you. I hope this will meet you in good health. I am awaiting your early reply.” (SPL to Dhindro and Vanalata Mullick, 15 * * th* January, 1969) ==69-02 “I can see from your photographs that you are preparing such big ISKCON bullets. It is very attractive and unfortunately I cannot share them with you. But I am very satisfied that you are enjoying such thing as the prasadam of Jaganatha Swami.”== (SPL to Uddhava, 27 * * th* February, 1969) ==69-08 “These yoga societies are useless. If you do go, you should not eat their food. We cannot eat anything not offered to Krsna, and we cannot offer anything to Krsna which is not cooked by a devotee. I hope this will clear up the matter for you.”== (SPL to Jayapataka, August 12 * * th* , 1969) ==69-08 “Lufthansa is a very respectable airline and the ladies and gentlemen, and stewardesses and hosts, were very kind in their treatment. One girl was insisting that we take some food, and when we refused she was very sorry, but she brought us a sufficient supply of fruit.”== (SPL to Hayagriva, 27 * * th* August, 1969) ==69-11== “Regarding your first question about == == *anna-maya == ,== * == this anna-maya theory is for persons who are in the lowest grade of transcendental realization. When we take to prasadam, it is directly on the spiritual platform.== *Anna-maya* concept of life is not on the spiritual platform. Our progress is therefore very easy and effective in this age. So the prescribed methods which we have adopted under authoritative scriptural injunctions are sufficient for our progress.” (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, 9 * * th* November, 1969) ==69-11== “Regarding your expenditures, we do not mind if there is no saving. Our policy should be to collect millions of dollars and spend also millions of dollars or sometimes more. But we should be very careful that we may not be extravagant. For necessary expenditures we have no grudge. ==I do not know what you are eating, but the eating program should be nutritious and simple, not luxurious.== That means *capatis, dal,* vegetables, some butter, some fruits and milk. This is necessary for keeping good health. But we should not indulge in sweetballs or *halavah* or like that daily. Too much first-class eating may stimulate our sex desires, especially sweet preparations. Anyway, eat Krsna *prasada* , but be careful that we may not indulge in luxury. ==For Krsna we can offer the most beautiful preparations, but for us prasada should be very simple.”== (SPL to Gargamuni, 20 * * th* November, 1969) ==70-01 “If prasada is to be honored in the temple room, the curtains may be drawn before the Deities while the devotees are taking prasada. The best arrangement is to honor prasada in a separate room for the purpose if possible.”== (SPL to Yamuna, 16 * * th* January, 1970) ==70-04 “So it is very good now that all the devotees can take prasadam together. All the devotees must keep together, that will be an extra strength.”== (SPL to Umapati, 26 * * th* April, 1970) ==70-11 “Although we respect the demigods, we may not take their prasadam if invited. We observe the system followed in Jaganatha Puri. First the foodstuff is offered to Lord Jaganatha and then His prasadam is offered to the different demigods; then we may take such remainders as prasadam. This is the correct procedure.”== (SPL to Upendra, November 21 * * st* , 1970) ==71-05 “Yes, do not take too much foodstuffs; take so that no remnants are left. Immediately after, the dishes should be washed, or paper dishes thrown away. But do not throw away prasadam. Better to take a little less than to have leftover for saving. That is not good.”== (SPL to Jadurani, 19 * * th* May, 1971) ==71-11 “Regarding prasadam, leftovers should always be taken if they have not spoiled or if they have not been touched by diseased persons. We should never waste Krsna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and then give each person what he wants.== That is the Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some objection by a person then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied.” (SPL to Kirtiraja dasa, November 27 * * th* , 1971) ==72-02 “Krsna prasad is always all right. The consideration of spoiling foodstuff after three hours, that is ordinary or it is so for persons who are not advanced in accepting Krsna prasada as transcendental,== just like Raghunatha dasa Goswami: he was collecting rejected rice from the cooking of Lord Jaganatha and he was eating only that. So this is a higher stage, so for the time being you should know that Krsna *prasada* is never contaminated by any material source.” (SPL to Caturbhuja, February 28 * * th* , 1972) ==72-05 “So far accepting water, no, practically from one who is not initiated we should not accept any eatables or drinkables. This should not be discussed, but you should remember it. But if there is some dire necessity, there is no question of prohibition.”== (SPL to Bhavananda, May 9 * * th* , 1972) ==75-08 “Regarding the attitude for taking prasada, if you think it is something palatable, so let me take more and more, then that is sense gratification. But still it is prasadam so it will act. Prasada is transcendental, but one should not take too much. Sannyasis may take the maha-prasada but not to overeat. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was taking, but on principle he was avoiding.”== (SPL to Vedavyasa dasa, 4 * * th* August, 1975) ==75-08 “You may not be so advanced that you will take the karmi remnants as prasada. The karmis should not be given so much that there is waste. You can give them a little, and then if they like you can give them more. This system should be introduced everywhere. I have seen myself that so much prasada is being left. This is not good.”== (SPL to Vedavyasa dasa, 4 * * th* August, 1975) ==76-01 “So as far as prasadam and residence, they are already getting that free. But sometimes, grhastas make their own arrangement for cooking. For that we can give no expenditure. Just try to improve the prasadam system so nicely that one will not want any other arrangement.”== (SPL to Jayatirtha, 22 * * nd* January, 1976) ==77-01 “My instruction is that whatever food they serve, you should not eat meat, only bread, some butter, milk, vegetables and fruit if available. And always chant Hare Krsna.== Then, it doesn’t matter whether you are in heaven or hell. Yes, it will be a great service, even if in prison, if you can preach there. You should inform the authorities for protection if other prisoners attack you. We have no business there except chanting Hare Krsna.” (SPL to Kunja-bihari dasa, 19 * * th* January, 1977) ## Prasadam Distribution and Preaching ==68-02 “You can arrange to supply prasadam only to our devotees. We are not in a position financially to distribute foodstuff for the poor class of men. Such men may take shelter of some charitable institution. At the present moment, we are not in a position to make charities but for the devotees we can sacrifice anything. So you can stop preparing prasadam for persons who are not willing to work neither to pay.”== (SPL to Cidananda, February 24 * * th* , 1968) ==68-06== “Last night we had a meeting in the house of Mr. Abdul Rabbi and there were some university professors and a Dr. Abbot, a Dr. MacMillan, and many others, two clergymen and their wives. One Father Lanlais was without wife. So there was very good discussion and by the grace of Krsna, I was able to give them some impression of this philosophy, that it is nicer than anything. Professor Abdul is Mohammadan, and is writing a thesis of Sufi religion. And he was also impressed. Unfortunately, I had to eat there, ==but I accepted a little fruits only, while they were eating all sorts of nonsense,== but at least they did not drink. We are the two persons only, Janardana and myself, we avoided all kinds of nonsense.” (SPL to Satsvarupa, 16 * * th* June, 1968) ==68-08 “So far sankirtana is concerned, that should be continued in all circumstances. Chanting of Hare Krsna sankirtana is our life and soul. Side by side, if possible, then you can attempt for the ISKCON restaurant and Krsna prasadam distribution, but this I think is secondary.”== (SPL to Nathan Baruch, August 7 * * th* , 1968) ==68-08== “I am so pleased to learn that Kirtananada, you have already attracted the neighboring devotees by your presentation of *prasada.* ==I am sure this prasada attraction will make our neighbors friendly and surely they will come in number in future so that New Vrndavana will be ideal place for visiting from the neighboring provinces, counties, I think so and it will be done nicely.== I am so glad to learn that you are feeling too much engagement in New Vrndavana and this is a spiritual inspiration. Our Society should never be a devil’s workshop, but it should be certainly the most magnificent platform for spiritual activities.” (SPL to Hayagriva and Kīrtanānanda Swami, 22 * * nd* August, 1968) ==68-10== “…and the *prasada* can be distributed on the 22nd October, during the daytime, which ==is known as Govardhana Puja and Annakuta Ceremony. In India, in all Vaishnava temples, this ceremony is observed and hundreds of people are given prasada according to the capacity of the temple.== So I understand that last year the Diwali Ceremony was held in the temple, and there was a collection of $130.00. So you can do the needful.” (SPL to Hamsaduta, October 10 * * th* , 1968) ==68-11== “Regarding the Christmas day meal with your family, I do not think you should partake of the food prepared by non-devotees. Better you should prepare your own foodstuffs and offer to Krsna== and then, if you like, you may offer these remnants to Lord Jesus. I think that Lord Jesus will also appreciate this. Of course, you may sit down with your family and take fruits and milk which they offer but rather than taking the foods which they have prepared, you may prepare and offer your own *prasada* for Lord Krsna, and then offer the same to Lord Jesus.” (SPL to Hrsikesa, 26 * * th* November, 1968) ==68-12== “The idea of distribution of *prasadam* is long standing, and I suggested this from the beginning of my missionary activities, both in New York, and in San Francisco. But it has never come to any practical shape till now. ==Therefore, if you can actually start a prasadam distribution program, it will be very, very nice.== But to start a separate restaurant for this purpose does not appeal to me. If we have *prasadam* distribution program it is to be done in the temple premises not separately. Separate attempt will require separate energy diverted from the temple management. Therefore if you do at all start *prasadam* distribution, try to do it in the temple itself. In the temple also if you keep some Indian goods for sale, that is also very nice. But don’t attempt two at a time. First of all start the *prasadam* distribution and make it successful, then try to do business in Indian goods.” (SPL to Cidananda, December 24 * * th* , 1968) ==69-07== “I am pleased to note that everything is going on very harmoniously in your temple, and this is a symptom that you are all executing your Krsna consciousness duties nicely. You mention that you are fixing up your temple for nice love feast program and this is cent per cent approved by me. ==Try to have very nice love feasts, because here in Los Angeles they are constantly attracting more and more members to join them, and the love feast program is one of the very strong attracting influences.== This program of offering grand scale quantities of *prasadam* amongst the general people was encouraged by Lord Caitanya, because if someone partakes of the remnants of offering to Lord Krsna then he is sure to come back to Krsna consciousness again at one time or another. So propagate our process of *sankirtana* , sumptuous loves feasts and reading literatures of Krsna consciousness, and surely many persons will be attracted to join this sublime movement.” (SPL to Pradyumna, 15 * * th* July, 1969) ==70-01 “I do not follow what you mean by that they are starting to sell samosas. We should not sell any prasadam, we shall distribute prasadam and we can ask for contributions. That should be the method.”== (SPL to Jadurani, January 14 * * th* , 1970) ==70-03 “Both Sridhama and Nandakisora are good administrators of prasada which is our peak medicine for driving away maya, so I have all blessings for them. Let them chant Hare Krsna and distribute prasada and things will come very quickly.”== (SPL to Satsvarupa, 28 * * th* March, 1970) ==70-11 “Please maintain the program of temple worship, distributing of prasada, sankirtana party, distribution of literatures, study and Krsna work, all in order and make everything as nice as possible.”== (SPL to Tirthapada, November 13 * * th* , 1970) ==71-01 “I am glad to see that incense distribution is increasing and your method of distribution, that is with our literature, prasadam, etc. is very nice. So continue it.”== (SPL to Sri Govinda, January 21 * * st* , 1971) ==71-02 “Also your college program sounds very nice. Preaching in schools, colleges and universities, along with distribution of our books and prasadam will flourish the propaganda of our mission.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, February 16 * * th* , 1971) ==71-02 “Just keep yourselves to the standard by regular and attentive chanting, study, preaching, working, sankirtana, and distributing of literatures and prasadam. Then everything will be all right.”== (SPL to Citsukhananda, February 21 * * st* , 1971) ==71-04 “So far as ’Krsna catering service,’ unless you have got sufficient time to accept such engagements don’t take it because everything must be done nicely.”== (SPL to Nayanabhirama, April 4 * * th* , 1971) ==71-04 “For the time being you can go to the jail and lecture about Krsna consciousness and the values of life. You can give this lecture simply by repeating different chapters from our books. And the same can be done in the mental hospital as well. Distribute prasadam there also. Preaching at these and other big institutions is solid work, so try to increase this activity.”== (SPL to Nayanabhirama, April 4 * * th* , 1971) ==71-06 “So do something wonderful there in Gainesville. Wonderful means simply you chant loudly and distribute prasadam. That is not very difficult. It is very easy. Simply if you do it enthusiastically and sincerely, then success will be there.”== (SPL to Bill, June 29 * * th* , 1971) ==71-07== “I am so glad to note that you are planning a Hare Krsna festival in Detroit, on the order of the ones we held in India (Bombay and Calcutta). ==We had a very large tent, displayed our literatures, had kirtanas and arati ceremony for Radha and Krsna, spoke some on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, and distributed prasadam sumptuously,== and not less than 20,000 and as many as 40,000 came daily to participate; it was so successful.” (SPL to Batu Gopala, July 8 * * th* , 1971) ==71-09 “In Jaganatha Puri, that temple was established over a thousand years ago and it is still going on. Always they have prasadam ready for at least a thousand people and bhoga is offered fifty-six times in a day.”== (SPL to Sivananda, September 2 * * nd* , 1971) ==71-11== “It was a great shock for me to hear about the death of Jananivasa and Will, so untimely. In such case we should hold special condolence meeting in our centers and pray for his being taken to Krsnaloka by the grace of Lord Krsna. ==After the demise of a devotee some special feast preparations should be offered to Lord Krsna and prasadam should be distributed.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, November 1 * * st* , 1971) ==71-11 “Yes, preaching is more important than managing. Just because you are preaching nicely and distributing so much prasadam, the management will follow like a shadow and Krsna will send you no end of help.”== (SPL to Satsvarupa, November 21 * * st* , 1971) ==71-11 “I am very pleased that you have accepted the responsibility of managing such an important center as Berkeley. I know that there are many students in that city, so just attract them to our Krsna consciousness movement by giving them prasadam and our Krsna philosophy.”== (SPL to Locana dasa, November 24 * * th* , 1971) ==71-11 “Especially I want this school and college program. If only the intelligent class of men understand our Krsna philosophy, then our mission is successful. So try to attract these students with profuse prasadam and nice philosophy and they will appreciate more and more.”== (SPL to Lalita Kumara and Jambavati dasi, November 27 * * th* , 1971) ==71-11 “Regarding prasadam, leftovers should always be taken if they have not spoiled or if they have not been touched by diseased persons. We should never waste Krsna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and then give each person only what he wants.== That is the Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some objection given by a person then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pas up and down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied.” (SPL to Kirtiraja dasa, November 27 * * th* , 1971) ==71-12 “I have just receive intimation from Rupanuga of a very large festival he is planning for Central Park. His conjecture is very nice, and I want that many such festivals should be held in every city. I have one suggestion, that on Sundays you make a tent in that back-yard garden to accommodate many guests and provide profuse prasadam to all.”== (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, December 10 * * th* , 1971) ==72-02 “Simply demonstrate chanting and dancing, and induce them to participate, then give them nice philosophy talk, with questions and answers, distribute prasadam profusely, ask them to buy our books and magazines and study them closely—that’s all. Try for this program, and that will help me very much. Thank you, for helping me in this way.”== (SPL to Madhucara, February 4 * * th* , 1972) ==72-04== “We are distributing our own *prasadam* free, why another business should be there? Anyone is open to take our *prasadam* free. Better Sumati Morarji may contribute rice, *dal* , etc. for this *prasadam* distribution program. ==According to our Vedic system prasada distribution should not be on the line of hotel or canteen business. Whatever prasadam we can distribute, that should be done free of charges. So to summarize, you should distribute free prasadam.”== (SPL to Giriraja, April 12 * * th* , 1972) ==72-04== “This *prasadam* distribution item is very, very important, and it is so much pleasing to me that in the beginning so many children are coming for taking *prasadam* , and that supply of rice had come automatically. ==Please continue this program rigidly. By prasadam distribution you will do service to the Lord, and the public will be pleased upon you as well. Gradually increase the number of guests, and don’t deny anyone.== Continue in this way: whatever is there, distribute equally—it may not be very sumptuous, but no one should be denied equal portion.” (SPL to Giriraja, April 12 * * th* , 1972) ==72-04 “The second important program is this distribution of prasadam, without any discrimination, so that everyone will get equal portion, no matter how little or how much there is there.”== (SPL to Bhavananda, April 14 * * th* , 1972) ==72-04 “This food distribution program is to be done very, very nicely as I have already written in my last letter.== Generally people make a plea that why are there so many hungry and naked. So we invite all hungry and naked people to come to us and we will give them food and clothing and Krsna consciousness as well. This will attract the general public and there will never be any shortage of food-stuffs, so continue regularly. In Bombay there are many generous persons who like food distribution programs, and actually, our temple should be the via media for feeding the poor with food and spiritual knowledge. Our Bombay program should be based on giving Krsna consciousness through the English medium and distribution of *prasadam* without discrimination. This will enhance our prestige and will accelerate our spiritual life as well. The temple program of *arati, kirtana, bhoga* offering, discourses, etc. should continue. There should be no neglect of that program. You can have the gardeners decorate the whole land with flowers and if possible some fruits also. Have a boundary fence so that everyone cannot enter it. So far your hired *brahmana* cook, since we have our *prasadam* distribution program this may be necessary, but he must wear *kunti* beads. As far as possible he must follow our principles.” (SPL to Giriraja, April 23 * * rd* , 1972) ==72-05 “My blessings to Visnujana, Silavati and all the others. I am very much pleased with all these activities. This is carrying out the order of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One thing, is prasadam being distributed profusely on this traveling party?”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, May 2 * * nd* , 1972) ==72-05== “You must construct something wonderful. Otherwise it will be a discredit to you American boys. That will exalt the position of America in India. ==And in every temple food distribution must go on profusely with American food supplies. Have the Americans given us the food supplies? Is there any tangible donation?== Or is it simply promises? If we can supply some proof they have given us such and such amount of foodstuffs, some document, that will help us in all parts of the world as propaganda and for approaching your country’s government in other places for supplying us. So if you have got such document, kindly send me one copy.” (SPL to Gurudasa, May 13 * * th* , 1972) ==72-05 “So far prasada distribution, it is not a question of rich or poor. That will be karma-kanda. Our program therefore is that we offer prasada to everyone.== Make our temple so nice that everyone who comes is offered some *prasada* . Not that we are after poor men. It is nice that we are feeding 200 daily, but gradually try to increase. But do not advertise, we shall be self advertising. And do not go to poor areas, this is not our philosophy. Our philosophy is *prasada* distribution, without discrimination rich or poor.” (SPL to Giriraja, May 15 * * th* , 1972) ==72-06== “I am very glad to hear that the American officers in Delhi are very much favorable to our movement. It is very good news. ==If you can persuade them to give us foodstuffs directly, then we shall use it properly and America’s prestige will be widely spread throughout India. We can organize for distribution of prasadam all over India, in factories, schools, and so on.== If we simply have *kirtana* and distribute *prasadam* , everywhere there will be good respect for us. So I hope you will stick very closely to this matter of acquiring surplus foodstuffs from your government and seeing to it that the food is distributed widely throughout India by our Krsna consciousness devotees. This is a very great favor to me.” (SPL to Gurudasa, June 12 * * th* , 1972) ==72-08== “One thing is, I have just now heard from Gurudasa that the American government agency which is providing us the foodstuffs for Mayapur is prepared to give us much, much more provided we fully utilize what they have already given. And I am informed by Gurudasa that the distribution program in Mayapur is not very widespread. Why you have neglected this very important program? ==I want that you shall distribute at least to hundreds of persons daily, and advertise very widely all over Nadia Province for people to come there and take prasadam daily without charge. Otherwise the whole thing is a farce.== We have worked so hard for so long to get this foodstuff donated by your government and now we are neglecting? And if you expand this program to their satisfaction, they will give so much more of different varieties of foodstuffs and we can expand this program widely throughout India and become very much popular with the people as a whole. So try to expand this program as much as possible at Mayapur and let me know.” (SPL to Bhavananda, 1 * * st* August, 1972) ==72-10== “Your program for the university students is very, very nice, try to do it seriously and with scholarly approach. ==Yes, your chief weapon will be prasada, because everyone likes to eat nice foodstuffs, and then philosophy and other things will come gradually.== In this way try to make many devotees, just like so many of you my top-grade disciples came from Buffalo University under the direction of Rupanuga.” (SPL to Narottamananda, 23 * * rd* October, 1972) ==74-01 “Yes, I fully agree that ’What is the use of a temple if there is no prasadam distribution?’ Prasadam distribution on a large scale must be resumed. Such a temple where there is no such distribution has no value, I agree.”== (SPL to Tamala Krsna Maharaja, 11 * * th* January, 1974) ==74-03== “Now I am especially concerned to distribute grains, rice, wheat in the form of *dal* and rice *prasadam* to hungry people all over India. The people here are very disturbed because, partly due to the punishment of nature, and partly due to the mismanagement of the demon class of men, food is not available. If the people do not even have sufficient food they will not even be able to receive spiritual instructions. ==So I am hopeful that if we can widely distribute free foodstuffs to the people of India, by giving it out at our centers as well as by traveling parties to villages, we will win over the whole country and the whole world by this activity on Krsna’s behalf.”== (SPL to Satyahit, 16 * * th* March, 1974) ==74-05 “The news that you are able to keep up the prasadam program which is now up to 1,500 persons on Sunday is very welcome and I hope you can continue this without stoppage.”== (SPL to Jayapataka and Bhavananda, 9 * * th* May, 1974) ==74-08 “I very much liked the report of the prasadam distribution at the club for businessmen. So I thank you very much for kindly sending me this report.”== (SPL to Amogha dasa, 5 * * th* August, 1974) ==74-11 “The prasadam program must be continued and increased. It is very good program for attracting the students. They have never tasted this kind of foodstuffs.”== (SPL to Rupanuga dasa, 7 * * th* November, 1974) ==75-05== “I was very much encouraged by this nice report you have given. Continue to organize the guest house. This is very important. Do it very nicely with the cooperation of Dr. Verma. ==In the evening, you must have many varieties of first-class, ghee-cooked preparations offered to the Deity and you can sell the prasada.== The L.A. standard is good, but still you should have a better standard. You should make *kacoris, samosas,* etc. If it is required, a professional confectioner may be employed. The Deity worship must be done very gorgeously. The twenty-four hour chanting is very encouraging to me. Please continue all as I have given you. I have full faith in both you.” (SPL to Aksayananda Swami and Dhananajaya, 26 * * th* May, 1975) ==75-06== “You can go on offering ten plates. In the Radha-Damodara temple, they offer *bhoga* to the six Goswamis. Offer ten full plates, eight *puris* , two *kacoris,* two *samosas* , varieties of sweets (two each), and varieties of vegetables. Make many palatable things such as *jhuri* , *dal-mot, jalebis, raita,* and many other nice dishes. ==You can keep a nice stock of these things, so that when a big man comes you can give him a nice plate of free prasada. In this way, our temple will become very popular,== because everyone will know that if they come to our temple, they will receive very nice *prasada.* For the other guests, continue to sell the *prasada* daily. This is very nice program. Make all the *prasada* very first-class.” (SPL to Dhananjaya and Aksayananda Swami, 18 * * th* June, 1975) ==75-07 “Your prasadam program is also very important. Continue it. By chanting and giving prasadam you will get so many devotees.”== (SPL to Locanananda dasa, 7 * * th* July, 1975) ==75-07 “Continue your prasada distribution. This is very important.”== (SPL to Dhananjaya dasa, 18 * * th* July, 1975) ==75-08== “ *Prasada* in this country means a full meal. From the very beginning even when I was alone, I was cooking myself for at least one dozen men, and I distributed full meals. ==According to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philosophy, prasadam should be taken up to the neck, akantha. In Jaganatha Puri, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s only occupation was holding sankirtana at least four hours every day and distributing prasada to the devotees.== It is stated in the *Caitanya-caritamrta* that the Lord was so liberal that He would give to every man *prasada* quite sufficient for being eaten by two or three men. So we are trying to follow by distributing *prasada* very liberally and we invite everyone without any discrimination. Everywhere we have got temples we distribute *prasadam* especially to the poorer men. I am enclosing one issue of our ’ *Back to Godhead* ’ magazine which contains photos of our *prasada* distribution starting on page twelve. This *prasada* distribution is going on all over the world.” (SPL to Dr. Naik, 7 * * th* August, 1975) ==75-09 “Regarding your festivals with prasadam, yes do it occasionally.== There is no need of accumulating wealth more. You can get wealth more, and also spend wealth more. This is *Brahmanism* . Get and spend, but not to spoil and squander. This example should be shown to others. That the city was paying you means that they are appreciating. Gradually they will all appreciate very much.” (SPL to Kurusrestha dasa, 26 * * th* September, 1975) ==76-11 “You have written that chanting, dancing, and book distribution are going on nicely. Prasadam distribution should also be introduced. This will make the program even more effective.”== (SPL to Hrdayananda Maharaja, 2 * * nd* November, 1976) ==76-12 “I’m pleased to know the restaurant is again doing nicely. If palatable dishes are available people will certainly come. Srutakirti is a good boy. You can trust him. Cooperation must be there. It is a nice idea to sell prasadam at the beaches from a vehicle.”== (SPL to Gurukrpa, 14 * * th* December, 1976) ==77-01== “Please accept my blessings. Now you must arrange in ==each temple there must be sufficient stock of prasadam for distribution.== You can keep first-class cooks, two or three, and they should be always engaged. Whenever any guest comes, he must get *prasada* . This arrangement must be made, that the cooks prepare ten-twenty servings at a time, of *puris* and *sabji* , and you can add halavah and *pakoras* , and the visitors must be supplied immediately. Whenever a gentleman comes, he must be served. As the twenty servings are being distributed, immediately the cooks prepare another twenty servings and store it. At the end of the day, if no one comes, our own men will take, so there is no loss. You cannot say, ’It is finished.’ ’It is not cooked yet.’ ’There is no supply for cooking etc.’ This must be enforced rigidly. The temple is managed by Srimati Radharani, Laksmiji; so why should there be want? Our philosophy is, if anyone comes, let him take *prasada* , chant Hare Krsna and be happy. Everything is being supplied by Krsna, Krsna is not poor, so why we should deny them? This should be done at any cost. There is no difficulty, it simply requires nice management. At the end of the day you may sell or give away. If we believe that Krsna is providing and maintaining everyone, then why should we be misers? This means losing faith in Krsna and thinking that we are the doers and suppliers. ==We are confident Krsna will supply! Let the whole world come, we can feed them. So please do this nicely, begin at once.”== (SPL to all ISKCON temple presidents, 18 * * th* January, 1977) ==77-01 “This prasadam distribution is very important. Do it nicely. Our main programs are distributing prasadam and sankirtana.”== (SPL to Brsakapi dasa, 19 * * th* January, 1977) ==77-01 “I have received your invitation to the opening of Prasadam Distributing International Inc., and I found it nicely presented. Krsna will give you intelligence how to engage in honest, brilliant, glorious work on His behalf. There is no need to engage in anything dishonest. Krsna has given enough money, now earn by honest means.”== (SPL to Prasadam Distributing International, Newport Beach, California USA, Alex, Bob, Drdha-vrata, Gupta, Rsabhadeva and Stan, January 24 * * th* , 1977)