Unit 17

1. . Description of the Descendants of Dhruva Mahäräja

Preliminary Self-Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. Explain the two different ways of approaching the Supreme Lord (3)
Ans : One is called bhägavata-märga, or the way of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, and the other is
called päïcarätrika- vidhi. Päïcarätrika-vidhi is the method of temple worship,and bhägavata-
vidhi is the system of nine processes which begin with hearing and chanting.

2. Describe the two kinds of devotees, the bhajanänandé and the goñöhy-änandé (10)
Ans : For all practical purposes, the whole world is full of nondevotees, and so one kind of
very advanced devotee avoids them by appearing before them as deaf and dumb Such an
advanced devotee is called bhajanänandé. Those who are goñöhy-änandé, however, preach
to increase the number of devotees.

3. What are the açvamedha and the gavälambha sacrifices? (25)

Ans : The sacrifice in which horses were offered was called açvamedha. Sometimes cows
were sacrificed
(gavälambha), not for eating purposes, but to give them new life in order to show the
potency of the mantra.

4. List some of the requirements for a Vedic sacrifice to be successful (27)

Ans : pronounce a Vedic mantra in the right accent. The combination of the mantra and
Sanskrit words must be chanted with the right pronunciation, otherwise it will not be
successful.

5. What should we avoid while worshiping Rädhä and Kåñëa in the temple? (28)
Ans : if there is negligence on the part of the priest, the demigods do not accept their share
in sacrifices. Similarly,in devotional service there are offenses known as sevä-aparädha.
Those who are engaged in worshiping the Deity, Rädhä and Kåñëa, in the temple, should
avoid such offenses in service. The offenses in service are described in The Nectar of
Devotion. If we simply make a show of offering services to the Deity but do not care for the
sevä-aparädha, certainly the Rädhä-Kåñëa Deity will not accept offerings from such
nondevotees.

6. What can be concluded if a person does not get a son? (31)

Ans : It is concluded, therefore, that if a person does not get a son it is due to his past sinful
life.
7. Explain the difference in how the Lord fulfills the respective desires of the karmés and the
devotees (37)
Ans : Lord Viñëu fulfills the desires of the karmés as they desire, but the Lord fulfills the
desire of a devotee in a different way so that the devotee may gradually come to Him. This is
confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä (dadämi buddhi-yogaà taà yena mäm upayänti te). The Lord
gives the devotee the opportunity to make progress further and further so that he may come
back home, back to Godhead. SB 4.13.38

8. What is the meaning of puà-savanam? (38)

Ans : puà-savanam, in which the wife is offered some prasäda, or remnants of foodstuff
offered to Lord Viñëu, so that after sexual intercourse with her husband she may conceive a
child.

9. Explain how King Aìga’s misfortune in family life was conducive to his spiritual
advancement (39, 46-47)
Ans : Sometimes the Lord arranges an unfortunate wife for His devotee so that gradually, due
to family circumstances, the devotee becomes detached from his wife and home and makes
progress in devotional life. It appears that by the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, King Aìga, although a pious devotee, got an unfortunate wife like Sunéthä and later
on a bad child like Vena. But the result was that he got complete freedom from the
entanglement of family life and left home to go back to Godhead.Then the King thought: A
bad son is better than a good son because a good son creates an attachment for home,
whereas a bad son does not. A bad son creates a hellish home from which an intelligent man
naturally becomes very easily detached.

10. Explain how a child, even though born of a good father,may become sinful (39)
Ans: If the maternal family is very corrupt or sinful, the child, even though born of a good
father, becomes a victim of the maternal family.

Analogy:
1. A son born without good qualities is as good as a blind eye. A blind eye has no use
for seeing, but it is simply unbearably painful.

2.The Story of King Vena

Preliminary Self-Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. In modern democracy, who are voted to administrative posts? (1)
Ans : In modern democracy these scientific divisions are turned topsy-turvy, and by vote
çüdras, or workers, are chosen for administrative posts. Having no knowledge of the ultimate
goal of life, such persons whimsically enact laws without knowledge of life’s purpose. The
result is that no one is happy.

2. Describe the results of weak and strong governments (3)

Ans :When the government is very weak, rogues and thieves flourish. Similarly, when the
government is
very strong, all the thieves and rogues disappear or hide themselves. Of course Vena was not
a very good king, but he was known to be cruel and severe. Thus the state at least became
freed from thieves and rogues.

3. Describe King Vena’s inappropriate attitude (4)

Ans : When the King ascended to the throne, he became all-powerful with eight kinds of
opulences. Consequently he became too proud. By virtue of his false prestige, he considered
himself to be greater than anyone. Thus he began to insult great personalities.

4. Summarize the duty of the government (17-20)

Ans : king protects the citizens from the disturbances of mischievous ministers as well as
from thieves and rogues,he can, by virtue of such pious activities, accept taxes given by his
subjects.The king is supposed to be pious in whose state and cities the general populace
strictly observes the system of eight orders of varëa and äçrama, and where all citizens
engage in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead by their particular
occupations.king sees that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original cause of the
cosmic manifestation and the Supersoul within everyone, is worshiped, the Lord will be
satisfied.

5. What is the duty of the saintly if the government becomes demonic? (12, 31, 40)
Ans : saintly persons should engage in chanting the mahä-mantra, Hare Kåñëa. By the grace
of Lord Caitanya,
by simply chanting this Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, the general populace can derive all
benefits without political implications.If the king or government becomes demonic, it is the
duty of a saintly person to upset the government and replace it with deserving persons who
follow the orders and instructions of saintly persons.The great sages began to think that
although a brähmaëa is peaceful and impartial because he is equal to everyone,it is still not
his duty to neglect poor humans.
6. What is the duty of the saintly who see God and His devotee being insulted? (32)
Ans : A devotee is generally very humble and meek, and he is reluctant to pick a quarrel with
anyone. Nor does he envy anyone. However, a pure devotee immediately becomes fiery with
anger when he sees that Lord Viñëu or His devotee is insulted. This is the duty of a
devotee.Although a devotee maintains an attitude of meekness and gentleness, it is a great
fault on his part if he remains silent when the Lord or His devotee is blasphemed.

7. How should devotees respond when there is a calamity in human society? (41)
Ans : when there is a calamity in human society, they cannot remain impartial. If they do not
do something
to relieve the distressed condition of human society, it is said that due to such neglect their
spiritual knowledge diminishes. Almost all the sages go to the Himalayas for their personal
benefit, but Prahläda Mahäräja said that he did not want liberation alone. He decided to wait
until he was able to deliver all the fallen souls of the world.

8. Why did the saintly consider that, although King Venawas very sinful, the semen in the
family of Vena must be protected? (41)
Ans : The saintly persons considered very wisely that although King Vena was very sinful, he
was born in a family descending from Dhruva Mahäräja. Therefore the semen in the family
must be protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Keçava. As such, the sages
wanted to take some steps to relieve the situation.

9. What is amogha-vérya? (42)

Ans : The purity of hereditary succession is called amogha-vérya.

10. What was the catastrophe in the family of Dhruva Mahäräja? (42)
Ans : Mahäräja Aìga was very pure because of the purification of semen in the family of
Mahäräja Dhruva.
However, his semen became contaminated in association with his wife, Sunéthä, who
happened to be the daughter of death personified. Because of this polluted semen, King Vena
was produced. This was a catastrophe in the family of Dhruva Mahäräja.

3. King Påthu’s Appearance & CoronationPraise of King Påthu by the

Professional Reciters
Preliminary Self-Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. What type of expansion was King Påthu? (15.2, 4, 6)
Ans : This expansion, of course, was not viñëu-tattva but a specifically empowered expansion
of Lord Viñëu known as äveça.

2. How should the goddess of fortune be worshiped? (15.3)

Ans : goddess of fortune should be worshiped along with Lord Viñëu and should not be
regarded separately.

3. What gifts presented to Påthu Mahäräja do you find intriguing and why? (15.14-20)
Ans : Kuvera presented the great King Påthu with a golden throne. The demigod Varuëa
presented him with an umbrella that constantly sprayed fine particles of water and was as
brilliant as the moon . The demigod of air, Väyu, presented King Påthu with two whisks
[cämaras] of hair; the King of religion, Dharma,presented him with a flower garland which
would expand his fame; the King of heaven, Indra, presented him with
a valuable helmet; and the superintendent of death, Yamaräja, presented him with a scepter
with which to rule the world.
Lord Brahmä presented King Påthu with a protective garment made of spiritual knowledge.
Bhäraté [Sarasvaté], the wife of Brahmä, gave him a transcendental necklace.
Lord Viñëu presented him with a Sudarçana disc, and Lord Viñëu’s wife, the goddess of
fortune, gave him
imperishable opulences.
Lord Çiva presented him with a sword within a sheath marked with ten moons, and his wife,
the goddess Durgä,presented him with a shield marked with one hundred moons. The moon-
demigod presented him with horses made of nectar, and the demigod Viçvakarmä presented
him with a very beautiful chariot.
The demigod of fire, Agni, presented him with a bow made of the horns of goats and cows.
The sun-god presented him with arrows as brilliant as sunshine. The predominating deity of
Bhürloka presented him with slippers full of mystic power. The demigods from outer space
brought him presentations of flowers again and again.
The demigods who always travel in outer space gave King Påthu the arts to perform dramas,
sing songs, play musical instruments and disappear at his will. The great sages also offered
him infallible blessings. The ocean offered him a conchshell produced from the ocean. SB
4.15.20
The seas, mountains and rivers gave him room to drive his chariot without impediments, and
a süta, a mägadha and a vandé offered prayers and praises. They all presented themselves
before him to perform their respective duties.

4. What did Påthu Mahäräja’s unwillingness to accept praise indicate? (15.22-24)

Ans : The prayers and praises by the süta, mägadha and vandé all explained the godly
qualities of Mahäräja
Påthu, for he was a çaktyäveça incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because
the qualities were not yet manifest, however, King Påthu very humbly asked why the
devotees should praise him with such exalted words.He did not want anyone to offer him
prayers or glorify him unless he possessed the real qualities of which they spoke.

5. How should one test all spiritual matters? (16.1)

Ans : one has to test all spiritual matters according to the instructions of saintly persons,
scriptures and the
spiritual master. The spiritual master is one who follows the instructions of his predecessors,
namely the sädhus,or saintly persons. A bona fide spiritual master does not mention anything
not mentioned in the authorized scriptures.

6. Explain the meaning of ätma-mäyayä in relation to the Lord’s appearance (16.2)

Ans : Mahämäyä is an expansion of yogamäyä, and both these mäyäs are different
expressions of the Lord’s internal potencies. As stated in Bhagavad-gétä, the Lord appears
through His internal potencies (ätma-mäyayä).

7. Select points from the süta’s praise of Påthu Mahäräja that are instructive for
administrators (16.4-27)
Ans : It is the duty of the governmental head to see that people strictly follow a religious life.
A king should also be strict in chastising the atheists.
Tax exaction is not meant for the sense gratification of the so-called administrative heads.
Tax revenues should be distributed to the citizens in times of need, during emergencies such
as famine or flood. Tax revenues should never be distributed amongst governmental servants
in the form of high salaries and various other allowances.Thus the proper execution of yajïa,
sacrifice, is required.
It is the duty of the king to look after the comforts of the citizens, even at the cost of his own
personal convenience.It is the duty of a ruler to punish the criminal and give protection to
the innocent.
A king or governmental head must therefore be so competent to rule over the state that the
citizens will worship him as God in human form. That is the perfectional stage for the head of
any government or state.
The word utpäöita-loka-çalyaù indicates that Mahäräja Påthu completely uprooted all the
miseries of his citizens.The word çalya means “piercing thorns.” There are many kinds of
miserable thorns that pierce the citizens of a state, but all competent rulers, even up to the
reign of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira, uprooted all the miserable conditions of the citizens. It is
stated that during the reign of Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira there did not even exist severe cold or
scorching heat, nor did the citizens suffer from any kind of mental anxiety.

4. Påthu Mahäräja Becomes Angry at the Earth Påthu Mahäräja

Milks the Earth Planet

Preliminary Self-Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)

1. What is the significance of King Påthu’s accepting Sanat-kumära as his spiritual master?
(17.5)
Ans: . As King Påthu has illustrated, one who is serious about receiving transcendental Vedic
knowledge must
accept a guru, or spiritual master, in one of these four disciplic successions. It is said that
unless one accepts
a mantra from one of these sampradäyas, the so-called mantra will not act in Kali-yuga. one
should receive
knowledge from a bona fide sampradäya. Therefore Mahäräja Påthu accepted Sanat-kumära
as his spiritual
master.

2. What is the meaning of the word avatäri? (17.7)

Ans : Lord Kåñëa is also known as avatäré, which means,“one from whom all the incarnations
emanate’’.

3. Why was there a scarcity of food grains? (17.13)

Ans : it was not the people’s fault, for they were not lazy in executing their duties. Rather,
the earth was not producing sufficient food grains.

4. Why did mother earth take the shape of a cow? (17.14)

Ans: At this time, in order to avoid the wrath of King Påthu, she took the shape of a cow.
Since a cow is never to be killed, mother earth thought it wise to take the shape of a cow in
order to avoid King Påthu’s arrows.

5. Explain the significance of planets’ being called dvépa (17.21)

outer space may be compared to an ocean of air, and each and every planet is floating on it
just as a boat or island floats on the ocean. Sometimes planets are called dvépa, or islands,
and sometimes they are calledboats.
6. Why was Mahäräja Påthu threatening to kill the cow-shaped earth? (17.22, 26, 27)
Ans : first of all she had disobeyed his orders. This was her first sinful activity. Secondly he
accused her of taking her share of the yajïas (sacrifices) but not producing sufficient food
grains in return.Any cruel person —be he a man, woman or impotent eu-nuch—who is only
interested in his personal maintenance and has no compassion for other living entities may
be killed by the king. Such killing can never be considered actual killing.

7. Under what circumstances can the government arrangefor the eating of cow flesh?(17.25)
Ans : In other words, in rare circumstances, when people are suffering for want of grains,
meat-eating or flesh-eating can be allowed, but not otherwise.

8. How should one understand the apparently contradictory acts of the Lord? (17.36)
Ans : Sometimes the common man is bewildered by all this and considers such activities
contradictory, but they are not contradictory. There is a great plan behind all the Lord’s
activities. The activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His various forms and
incarnations are always uncommon and wonderful. It is not possible for a tiny human being to
estimate the purpose and plans of such activities; therefore Çréla Jéva Gosvämé has said
that unless the Lord’s activities are accepted as inconceivable,they cannot be explained.

9. Explain the difference between a conditioned and a liberated soul (18.5)

Ans : A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is
sure to become illusioned,he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses are imperfect.
Consequently we have to take direction from liberated persons. This Kåñëa consciousness
movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via
persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated
person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally
liberated from thecontamination of the material nature.

10. Why are thunderbolts generally thrown on the tops of hills? (18.11, 29)
Ans: Generally thunderbolts are thrown on the tops of hills in order to break them to pieces.
As these pieces are spread asunder in due course of time, the surface of the globe gradually
becomes fit for agriculture.

11. What general principle does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from the sages’ milking all kinds of
Vedic knowledge from the earth? (18.14)
Ans : If human society remains satisfied simply by taking grains from the planet earth as well
as other necessities for maintaining the body, society will not be sufficiently prosperous.
Humanity must have food for the mind and ear, as well as for the purpose of vibration. As far
as transcendental vibrations are concerned, the essence of all Vedic knowledge is the mahä-
mantra—Hare Kåñëa,Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, HareRäma, Räma
Räma, Hare Hare. In Kali-yuga, if this Vedic mahä-mantra is chanted regularly and heard
regularly by the devotional process of çravaëaà kértanam [SB 7.5.23], it will purify all
societies, and thus humanity will be happy both materially and spiritually

12. Explain the performance of the çräddha ceremony in Vedic civilization (18.18)
Ans: çräddha by which food is offered with faith and devotion. If one offers oblations with
faith and devo-
tion—either to the lotus feet of Lord Viñëu or to His representative in Pitåloka, Aryamä—
one’s forefathers
will attain material bodies to enjoy whatever material enjoyment is due them. In other words,
they do not have to become ghosts.

13. Describe the following beings: Siddhas, Vidyädharas, Kimpuruñas, Yakñas, Räkñasas,
bhütas, and piçäcas (18.19-21)
Ans : The inhabitants of both Siddhaloka and Vidyädhara-loka are naturally endowed with
mystic yogic powers by which they not only can fly in outer space without a vehicle but can
also fly from one planet to another simply by exerting their will. Just as fish can swim within
water,the residents of Vidyädhara-loka can swim in the ocean of air. As far as the inhabitants
of Siddhaloka are concerned,they are endowed with all mystic powers.
It is said that the inhabitants of Kimpuruña-loka can perform many wonderful mystic
demonstrations. In other
words, they can exhibit as many wonderful things as one can imagine. The inhabitants of this
planet can do
whatever they like, or whatever they imagine. Such powers are also mystic powers. The
possession of such mystic power is called éçitä.
There are some types of living entities in the form of human beings whose living conditions
and eatables are
most abominable. Generally they eat flesh and fermented blood, which is mentioned in this
verse as kñatajäsavam.
The leaders of such degraded men, known as Yakñas,Räkñasas, bhütas and piçäcas, are all in
the mode of
ignorance. They have been placed under the control of Rudra. Rudra is the incarnation of
Lord Çiva and is in
charge of the mode of ignorance in material nature.

Analogies:
1. In modern electronics, a mechanic may, by pushing only one button, set off an electronic
chain-reaction by which so many actions are carried out one after another.Similarly, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead pushes the button of creation, and different energies create
the material elements and various controllers of the physical elements,and their subsequent
interactions follow the inconceivable plan of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
2. Just as a cow cannot deliver sufficient milk without being affectionate to her calf,the earth
cannot produce sufficient necessities without feeling affection for those who are Kåñëa
conscious.

5.King Påthu’s One Hundred Horse Sacrifices

Preliminary Self-Study (Pürva-svädhyäya)
1. Explain the import of the word matsara (2)
Ans: . Since no one in this material world can tolerate another’s advancement, everyone in
the material world is called matsara, envious.

2. What does it mean that Kåñëa is sarvätmä? (3)

Ans : He is described herein as sarvätmä, meaning that He is present in everyone’s heart as
the Supersoul, and as such He is the supreme teacher of everyone.

3. What is a käma-dhenu? (7)

Ans: Käma-dhenu is also known as surabhi. Surabhi cows inhabit the spiritual world, and, as
stated in Brahma-saàhitä, Lord Kåñëa is engaged in tending these cows: surabhér
abhipälayantam [Bs. 5.29]. One can milk a surabhi cow as often as one likes, and the cow will
deliver as much milk as one requires.

4. List the main points from the purports to texts 8 and 9.

Ans : In this age so many factories for the manufacture of fertilizers have been opened, but
when the Personality of Godhead is pleased by the performance of yajïas, the hills
automatically produce fertilizing chemicals, which help produce edibles in the fields.
Everything is dependent on the people’s acceptance of the Vedic principles of sacrifice.
As stated in Éçopaniñad, this material creation is supplied with all the potencies for the
production of all necessities required by the living entities—not only human beings, but
animals, reptiles, aquatics and trees. The oceans and seas produce pearls, coral and valuable
jewels so that fortunate law-abiding people can utilize them. Complete arrangements for the
production of all the necessities of life are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
People should therefore learn how to satisfy the yajïa-puruña, Lord Viñëu. Indeed, the living
entity’s prime business is to satisfy the Lord because the living entity is part and parcel of
the Lord.Thus everything is dependent on the performance of yajïa.The best way to perform
yajïa in this age is to spread the saìkértana movement all over the world.

5. List the four kinds of foodstuffs (9)

Ans : These are technically known as carvya (those edibles which are chewed), lehya (those
which are licked up), cüñya(those which are sucked) and peya (those which are drunk).

6. What lesson does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from King Indra’s becoming envious of an
incarnation of God?
Ans : In Kali-yuga there are many self-made incarnations,rascals, who declare themselves to
be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The words bhagavän indraù indicate that a living
entity can even be as exalted and powerful as King Indra, for even King Indra is an ordinary
living entity in the material world and possesses the four defects of the conditioned soul.

7. Why did Indra steal the horse meant for the yajïa performance? (11)
Ans : When King Påthu was performing one hundred yajïas, Indra became very envious
because he did not want anyone to excel him. Being an ordinary living entity,he became
envious of King Påthu, and, making himself invisible, he stole the horse and thus impeded
the yajïa performance.

8. Explain the meaning of the words tiñöha tiñöha (13)

Ans : The words tiñöha tiñöha are used by a kñatriya when he challenges his enemy. When
fighting, a kñatriya cannot flee from the battlefield. However, when a kñatriya out of
cowardice flees from the battlefield, showing his back to his enemy, he is challenged with the
words tiñöha tiñöha.

9. What general principles does Çréla Prabhupäda draw from King Indra’s fraudulently
dressing as a sannyäsé? (12-26)
This cheating was very foolishly introduced by King Indra. In some ages such cheating is
very prominent, and in other ages not so prominent. It is the duty of a sannyäsé to be very
cautious because, as stated by Lord Caitanya,sannyäséra alpa chidra sarva-loke gäya: a little
spot in a sannyäsé’s character will be magnified by the public.
At the present moment some missionary institutions,without referring to the Vedic rituals,
have introduced
some sannyäsés who engage in sinful activities. The sinful activities forbidden by the çästras
are illicit sex,
intoxication, meat-eating and gambling. These so-called sannyäsés indulge in all these
activities. They eat meat and flesh, fish, eggs and just about everything. They sometimes
drink with the excuse that without alcohol, fish and meat, it is impossible to remain in the
cold countries near the Arctic zone. These sannyäsés introduce all these sinful activities in
the name of serving the poor, and consequently poor animals are cut to pieces and go into
the bellies of these sannyäsés. As described in the following verses, such sannyäsés are
päkhaëòés.
According to Vedic civilization, sannyäsa is one of the essential items in the program of the
varëa-äçrama in-
stitution. One should accept sannyäsa according to the paramparä system of the äcäryas. At
the present moment,however, many so-called sannyäsés or mendicants have no
understanding of God consciousness.

10. Why do the Vedic çästras practically prohibit the adoption of sannyäsa in this age? (25)
Ans : The Vedic çästras practically prohibit the adoption of sannyäsa in the age of Kali
because less intelligent men may accept the sannyäsa order for cheating purposes. Actually
the only religion is the religion of surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We
must serve the Lord in Kåñëa consciousness. All other systems of sannyäsa and religion are
actually not bona fide. In this age they are simply passing for religious systems. This is most
regrettable.

11. Being a devotee in the transcendental position, why was King Påthu performing the
prescribed Vedic ritualistic ceremonies? (33)
Ans : As the ideal king, however, it was King Påthu’s duty to perform sacrifices. A
compromise was therefore to be worked out.

12. How should a saintly person respond to reversals in life? (34)

Ans : Sometimes the saintly or very religious person also has to meet with reversals in life.
Such incidents
should be taken as providential. Although there may be sufficient cause for being unhappy,
one should avoid
counteracting such reversals, for the more we become implicated in rectifying such
reversals, the more we enter into the darkest regions of material anxiety. Lord Kåñëa has
also advised us in this connection. We should tolerate things instead of becoming agitated.

13. Why did Brahmä want to end the competition between Indra and Påthu? (35-36)
Ans : Lord Brahmä’s purpose was to end the competition between Lord Indra and Mahäräja
Påthu. Because
Mahäräja Påthu was a great devotee and incarnation of God, he was requested to stop the
sacrifices so that Indra might not further introduce irreligious systems, which are always
followed by crim “Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his
footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.”

14. Those who think they are taking the goddess Kälé’s prasäda are actually eating what?
(36)
Ans : They do not know that goddess Kälé never accepts nonvegetarian food because she is
the chaste wife of Lord Çiva. Lord Çiva is also a great Vaiñëava and never eats nonvegetarian
food, and the goddess Kälé accepts the remnants of food left by Lord Çiva. Therefore there is
no possibility of her eating flesh or fish. Such offerings are accepted by the associates of
goddess Kälé known as bhütas, piçäcas and Räkñasas, and those who take the prasäda of
goddess Kälé in the shape of flesh or fish are not actually taking the prasäda left by goddess
Kälé, but the food left by the bhütas and piçäcas.