#prasada

Real Prasada | Ma Gurupriya

I am sure that most of you who live in big cities have come across members of ISKCON distributing free food. Here in a 1982 conversation with ISKCON member Mukunda, George explains what the thinking behind this is. This one goes out to fans of the Hungry George trope

Mukunda: At lunch today we spoke a little about prasada, vegetarian food that has been spiritualized by being offered to Krsna in the temple. A lot of people have come to Krsna consciousness through prasada, especially through our Sunday feast at all our centres around the world. I mean, this process is the only kind of yoga that you can actually practice by eating.

George: Well, we should try and see God in everything, so it helps so much having the food to taste. Let's face it, if God is in everything, why shouldn't you taste him when you eat? I think that prasada is a very important thing. Krsna is God, so he's absolute : His name, His form, prasada - it's all Him. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, so if you can get to a man's spirit soul by eating, and it works, why not do it? There's nothing better than having been chanting and dancing, or just sitting and talking philosophy, and then suddenly the devotees bring out the prasada. It's a blessing from Krsna, and it's spiritually important.

The idea is that prasada is the sacrament the Christians talk about, only instead of being just a wafer, it's a whole feast, really, and the taste is so nice- it's out of this world. And prasada's a good little hook in this age of commercialism. When people want something extra, or they need to have something special, prasasa will hook them in there. It's undoubtedly done a great deal toward getting a lot more people involved in spiritual life. It breaks down prejudices, too. Because they think, "oh well, yes, I wouldn't mind a drink of whatever or a bite of that." Then they ask, "What's this?" and "Oh, well, it's prasada." And they get to learn another aspect of Krsna consciousness. Then they say, "It actually tastes quite nice. Hve you got another plateful?" I've seen that happen with lots of people, especially older people I've seen at your temples. Maybe they were a little prejudiced, but the next thing you know, they're in love with prasada, and eventually they walk out of the temple thinking,"They're not so bad after all."

Mukunda: The Vedic literatures reveal that prasada conveys spiritual realization, just chanting does, but in a less obvious or conspicuous way. You make spiritual advancement just by eating it.

George: I'd say from my experience that it definitely works. I've always enjoyed prasada much more when I've been at temple, or when I've actually been sitting with Prabhupada, than when somebody's brought it to me. Sometimes you can sit there with prasada and find that three or four have gone by and you didn't even know it. Prasada really helped me a lot, because you start to realize, "Now I'm tasting Krsna." You're conscioussamosa. Its all matter of tuning into the spiritual, and prasada's a very real part of it.

Mukunka: You know, a lot of rock groups like the Grateful Dead and Police get prasada backstage before their concerts, They love it. It's a long standing tradition with us. I remember one time sending prasada to one of the Beatles recording sessions. And your sister was telling me today that while you were doing the Bangladesh concert, Syamasundara used to bring you all prasada at the rehearsals.

George: Yes he's even got a credit on the album sleeve.

Mukunka: What are your favourite kinds of prasada George?

George: I really like those deep-fried cauliflower things- pakoras?

Mukunda: Yes

George: And one thing I always liked was ras malai [a type of rice pudding]. And there're a lot of good drinks as well fruit juices and lassi [A yogurt drink that can be sweet or salty].