Re: ISKCON and Upanayana
Namaste Ji,
I do not know about ISKCON but according to Vaishnava Aachara,only initiated Vaishnavas are eligible to cook Naivedya in temples.
Its not discrimination,its more like a qualification.Any one can offer food to the Lord but when it is prepared in a temple for Sri Narayana and later offered to the devotees as prasad,certain standards should be maintained.It is quality control.
The Vaishnava cook is a knowledgeable devotee.He knows which items can be used,which must not be used,what quantity of each item to use.You would be surprised to know that different substances are used during different times/seasons in varying quantities.Different forms of Sri Vishnu are offered different kinds of Naivedya.For ex,in some Vaishnava temples of baby Krishna too spicy substances like chilles are not used instead sweet and easily digestible foods are given.The Vaishnava chef cooks with devotion,care and joy,like a mother would for her baby.Cooking in temples is a very complex subject that requires dedicated study,which only an initiated 'Vaishnava' would know.
So please don't feel it is discrimination but see it as an attempt to prepare the best Naivedya for the Lord and tasty prasad for the devotees.
Last edited by Ram11; 28 May 2014 at 06:57 AM.
He dances in the golden hall of Chidambaram, Let us worship His rosy anklet girt Feet.
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