Srila Prabhupada had no doubts about increasing prasadam distribution among the poor as well:
“Just like feeding the poor. It is also yajna. But the same thing, if it is dovetailed in consciousness, that becomes perfect. People are very much inclined to feed the poor with sumptuous food, but it can be done in a little different way, that the foodstuff offered to Visnu, prasada, that distribution foodstuff is better than ordinary distribution of foodstuff. Ordinarily, that is punya, pious activities, but when it is connection with Krsna, this is called yajna. Dravya-yajna. To distribute food and cloth, that is called dravya-yajna, but yajna can be said when it is done, dovetailing the activities with Krsna consciousness. That is yajna.” — Lecture Bhagavad-gita 4.28 – Bombay, April 17, 1974
Srila Prabhupada did not have two opinions about prasadam distribution, we can do away with the salary system and increase prasadam distribution.
Prabhupada: YOU TAKE PRASADAM. BUT WHY SALARY? WHERE IS THE QUESTION OF SALARY? WHERE IS VAIRAGYA, RENOUNCEMENT? SO IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES THE SALARY PROCESS SHOULD BE STOPPED. ONE WHO WANTS SALARY, HE CAN WORK OUTSIDE.
and I humbly suggest all salary be used instead to increase prasadam distribution.
Any objections to this proposal?
your servant
Payonidhi das
BhaktiVikas Maharaja has made his statements:
However what Bhakti Vikas Swami does not seem to understand is that prasadam distribution is transcendental and have transcendental effects, this
is not mundane food distribution as he keeps repeating, if the food is offered to Krsna and also no one profits personally then who will object?
But he has made many good points....
Prasadam is appriciated by devotees but by taking prasadam even non devotees gradually will get the full benefit.
Bali-mardana: "I believe I've heard you said in other lectures that a person who takes prasadam, even a plant or a..., any kind of living entity who takes prasadam or hears the name, that it will come back at least to human form of life. Is that correct?
Prabhupada: No, if he's devotee, then he'll come. But this taking of prasadam, or hearing Hare Krsna mantra is advancement for becoming a devotee. But if he takes prasadam not as ordinary prasadam, foodstuff, he believes that "This is remnants of foodstuffs given to God," if he understands this philosophy, then guaranteed. If he takes the prasadam as ordinary food, "All right, these people are distributing, prasa... Let me take it. It is very tasteful," that will give him chance to accept prasadam next, next, next... In this way, one day he'll come to the point that "This prasadam is not ordinary foodstuff." Then he'll... There is guarantee. Because only the devotee can appreciate that "This prasadam is not ordinary foodstuff. It is Krsna's remnant of..." Therefore, he understands Krsna. That is said in the Bhagavad-gita, janma-karma ca me divyam yo janati tattvatah [Bg. 4.9]. In truth, when he understands, then his life is guaranteed. Why guaranteed? He goes back to home next life. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. If you simply can understand what is Krsna and what is your relationship with Krsna, that is sufficient to take you back to home, back to Godhead. That is sufficient. It is so nice. "
And we always learn that Bhagavat prasadam gives a human body , so who will object?
The spiritual master encourages distribution of prasadam (remnants of Krsna's food) to the public. Ours is not a dry philosophy--simply talk and go away. No. We distribute prasadam, very sumptuous prasadam. In every temple, we offer prasadam to anyone who comes. In each and every temple we already have from fifty to two hundred devotees, and outsiders also come and take prasadam. So prasadam distribution is another symptom of the genuine spiritual master."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Gurvastam, Stockholm, 09-09-73
"This gratitude and love for God is exhibited by a pure devotee, who knows that the Lord lives in every living entity. As such, 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. Of course, that is better than simply cooking foodstuffs and eating without understanding one's relationship with the Supreme Lord; people who act in this manner are just like animals. But the devotee who wants to elevate himself to the higher level of understanding must know that the Lord is present in every living entity, and, as stated in the previous verse, one should be compassionate to other living entities. A devotee should worship the Supreme Lord, be friendly to persons who are on the same level and be compassionate to the ignorant. One should exhibit his compassion for ignorant living entities by distributing prasada. Distribution of prasada to the ignorant masses of people is essential for persons who make offerings to the Personality of Godhead."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3:29:24
BG 17.13
Any sacrifice performed without regard for the directions of scripture, without distribution of prasadam [spiritual food], without chanting of Vedic hymns and remunerations to the priests, and without faith is considered to be in the mode of ignorance.
Payonidhi das
Comment by Paramananda das on October 18, 2011 at 9:29pm
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