Prasada of Lord Shiva

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "radhikapathi dasa"

Sent: 11-03-2021 1.27.04 PM

Subject: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Gurumaharaj and devotees of this group, please accept my humble obeisances at your feet.

I have a following question, request you kindly help me.

Offen some of the vaishnavas suggests not to eat prasadam offered to Lord Shiva, saying since it will be eaten by pisachas.

Is this true? 

Your Humble servant,

Radhikapathi Dasa

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Sridhara Srinivasa das" 

Sent: 13-03-2021 11.44.59 AM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Respected Guru Maharaja and devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances

Jaya Srila Prabhupada

I attempt answer this question for my own purification.

Lord Krishna or Vishnu is the Purusha and can never be influenced or covered by Material energy and His pur devotees oc whom Lord Siva is topmost does not come under the control of material energy.

So anyone who offers to Lord Siva unless is in right consciousness will not accept those offerings but instead will give it to the bhuta picasha ganas. So that is the mercy of Lord Siva to correct the contaminated consciousness of the one who makes such offerrings that are not pure.

Lord Siva does not partake any offerrings that are not offered to Lord Vishnu or that are contaminated by material consciousness.

"The great sage Vidura continued: O best of the brāhmaṇas, it is very difficult for living entities encaged within this material body to have personal contact with Lord Śiva. Even great sages who have no material attachments do not contact him, despite their always being absorbed in meditation to attain his personal contact." (Sb 4.24.17).

Lord Siva further says:

"

Lord Śiva continued: Any person who is surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the controller of everything — material nature as well as the living entity — is actually very dear to me." (SB 4.24.28)

We can find many detailed description of the prayers of Lord Siva.

Lord Siva is very difficult to understand especially he is asilutosha...so it is not possible to cheat Lord Siva but people still try to take shortcut and try to cheat Lord Shiva by coming to him but for asking material benefits.

So, Vaishnava sampradaya s, especially Sri Vaishnava sampradaya discourage association of those who worship Shiva in materialistic concept.

A lot can be written on this topic...but only a Vaishnava can understand Lord Shiva and why does Vaishnavas not worship Lord Shiva? We just follow what our immediate Acaryas have taught us...

Your humble servant

Sridhara Srinivasa dasa

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Shyamananda Dasa" 

Sent: 13-03-2021 7.47.40 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Pranams. Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!

Regarding honouring Shiva prasada it is forbidden in strict Sri Vaisnava line since Ramanujacarya was against demigod worship. But in Madhva line and Gaudiya Vaisnava line demigods are worshipped as advanced devotees of Vishnu and Shiva being the greatest Vaisnava he is honored as such. In Caitanya Bhagavata it is also mentioned that to not honour Siva prasada is a Vaisnava aparadha so Gaudiya Vaisnavas may honor in that mood. Lord Caitanya also visited many demigod temples during his South India tour. Ofcourse the proper method of worshiping Shiva and all demigods is to offer them Vishnu prasada as is the practice in Jagannatha Puri. 

Hare Krishna!

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 13-03-2021 7.50.06 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Radhikapati Prabhu ji,

Namo Namah.

The above passage is from the "Sat-kriya sara-dipika" of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami that prohibits Vaisnavas (who have taken "ananya-sarana" or exclusive surrender to Lord Krsna ) from not accepting or taking the remnants of items offered  to the demigods including Lord Siva, Ganesa, Surya etc.

Whether or not the "offerings" made to Lord Shiva are accepted by Pisacas is secondary detail. Does anyone have any reference for this?

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

("Nandagrama" Varnasrama Community Project)

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 15-03-2021 8.45.15 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Shyamananda Prabhu ji,

Namo Namah.

>>In Caitanya Bhagavata it is also mentioned that to not honour Siva prasada is a Vaisnava aparadha so Gaudiya Vaisnavas may honor in that mood.

Is it possible for your grace to share the exact reference for this from Caitanya Bhagavata?

If it is "Shiva Prasada" as per Gaudiya Vaishnava understanding, then it makes sense, otherwise it creates a doubt whether Gaudiya Vaishnavas are supposed to honor or may honor whatever has been offered to Lord Shiva by his worshippers while treating him to be GOD or very powerful demigod.

As you can see in the below excerpt from Digdarshini commentary by Srila Sanatana Gosvami on verses 194-195 from the 14th vilasa of Hari-bhakti-vilasa about honoring Lord Shiva, and so on.. 

The siddhanta is: When Lord Shiva is seen as a separate deity from Lord Vishnu and thus, not honoring his personality, and so on is certainly not improper (ayuktam eva) for Vaishnavas, however, to see Lord Shiva as guna-avatara of Lord Visnu as there are various lila-avataras of the Lord such as Matsya and so on, so Lord Shiva is non-different from Lord Vishnu in that aspect, and then honoring him, and so on does not constitute fault but, it is a virtue indeed as such actions will lead to Bhagavad-bhakti. 

The worshippers of Lord Shiva may not have such understanding, hence whatever is offered to Lord Shiva can be objectionable to be treated as "Shiva Prasada" by Vaishnavas.

While accepting offered garland to Lord Shiva, his abhisheka-water do not seem to be outside Vaishnava practices, however, regarding food offered to him, I think , direct reference and precedents of such practice by our Vaishnava Acharyas will be decisive.           

  

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

("Nandagrama" Varnasrama Community Project)

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 13-03-2021 7.50.06 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Radhikapati Prabhu ji,

Namo Namah.

The above passage is from the "Sat-kriya sara-dipika" of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami that prohibits Vaisnavas (who have taken "ananya-sarana" or exclusive surrender to Lord Krsna ) from not accepting or taking the remnants of items offered  to the demigods including Lord Siva, Ganesa, Surya etc.

Whether or not the "offerings" made to Lord Shiva are accepted by Pisacas is secondary detail. Does anyone have any reference for this?

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

("Nandagrama" Varnasrama Community Project)

From: "radhikapathi dasa"

Sent: 11-03-2021 1.27.04 PM

Subject: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Gurumaharaj and devotees of this group, please accept my humble obeisances at your feet.

I have a following question, request you kindly help me.

Offen some of the vaishnavas suggests not to eat prasadam offered to Lord Shiva, saying since it will be eaten by pisachas.

Is this true? 

Your Humble servant,

Radhikapathi Dasa

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[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Shyamananda Dasa" 

Sent: 18-03-2021 6.44.13 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

All glories to Guru and Gauranga

Dandavats Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!

I read that a long time ago and I can't find the exact verse from CB now. I will send it to you when l come across it again. But I found a SB purport where  Srila Prabhupada describes the proper process of honouring Siva prasada.

"It is said that among all the devotees of the Personality of Godhead, Lord Siva is the greatest. Thus the remnants of foodstuff left by him are accepted by other devotees as maha-prasada, or great spiritual foodstuff. The remnants of foodstuff offered to Lord Krishna are called prasada, but when the same prasada is eaten by a great devotee like Lord Siva, it is called maha-prasada. Lord Siva is so great that he does not care for the material prosperity for which every one of us is so eager. Parvati, who is the powerful material nature personified, is under his full control as his wife, yet he does not use her even to build a residential house. He prefers to remain without shelter, and his great wife also agrees to live with him humbly. People in general worship goddess Durga, the wife of Lord Siva, for material prosperity, but Lord Siva engages her in his service without material desire. He simply advises his great wife that of all kinds of worship, the worship of Vishnu is the highest, and greater than that is the worship of a great devotee or anything in relation with Vishnu." (S.B. 3.14.26)

 Hare Krishna!

[Bhakti Vikasa Swami]

> >>In Caitanya Bhagavata it is also mentioned that to not honour Siva
> prasada is a Vaisnava aparadha so Gaudiya Vaisnavas may honor in that
> mood.
>
> Is it possible for your grace to share the exact reference for this from
> Caitanya Bhagavata?

This is a valid query. Srila Prabhupada writes:

The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by
the scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back
up what he is saying.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 17.15

No assertions should be made on this forum about spiritual subjects without
giving a proper citation. If anyone does so, they should be asked to give
the scriptural reference. Failure to do so is evidence of mental
speculation.

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Shyamananda Dasa" 

Sent: 21-03-2021 3.39.34 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Respected Guru Maharaja and Vaisnavas connected with BVKS sanga, Please accept my dandavat pranams. I apologize for not being tardy in providing sastric reference and will take appropriate care in the future.

The verse I was referring to was

Sri Caitanya-bhagavata (Antya 2.243):
na mane' caitanya-patha, bolaya `vaisnava'
sivere amanya kare vyartha ta 'ra saba

"If one claims to be a Vaisnava, but he disrespects Lord Siva and does not strictly follow the path exhibited by Lord Caitanya, all his efforts are futile."

The translation of this section of Caitanya Bhagavata is as follows:

The Lord soon arrived in Jalesvara village. He went directly to the temple of Lord Siva, the main

deity in that village. The Siva linga deity was well looked after by the local brahmana priest. The floral decorations in the temple and on the deity were attractive, and the smell of incense permeated the air giving the place an exhilarating devotional mood. Devotees in the temple were singing, playing musical instruments and dancing. The Lord's anger subsided in that joyful atmosphere. He let the loving devotional feelings in His heart gradually flow and merge in with the music. Enlivened by His dear devotee's (Lord Siva's) opulence and influence in the temple, Lord Chaitanya began to dance hapily. Lord Chaitanya kows Lord Siva's glorious character, for he is favorite amongst His devotees. If anyone disrespects Lord Siva, not following the example of Lord Chaitanya, then he cannot be considered a Vaishnava, and all his spiritual advancement is annulled.

As the Lord danced, He made joyful sounds so loud that the very mountains seemed to tremble. Lord Siva's devotees were struck with amazement, and thought that Lord Siva must have appeared in person. The musicians and singers again reached a cresendo, and the Lord became fully absorbed in dancing, losing all contact with the outside world. Meanwhile, His devotees arrived. Mukunda began to sing, joined by others. Seeing His beloved associates, the Lord experienced great joy, and danced more vigorously while the devotees danced circling Him. The whole scene was dynamicly transformed. Tears flowed out effusively in a hundred streams from the Lord's eyes. Who can describe al the happenings properly? This temple of Lord Siva was now

sanctified by the Lord's presence and dancing. The real purpose for which the temple was built was now fulfilled

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Shyamananda Dasa" 

Sent: 21-03-2021 5.51.56 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

more direct evidence is found Krsna Caitanya Carita Mahakavya by Srila Locana Dasa Thakura describing the transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

KCCM Ninth Sarga, Third Prakrama

Ninth Sarga

Gaura Hari Honours the Food Remnants of Śrī Śiva

1

After bathing in Bindu-Sarovara and taking darśana of Śrī Bhuvaneśvara, the all- opulent Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya sat contentedly, wholly immersed in the bliss of prema.

2

Mahāprabhu then ate choice foods prepared by the bhaktas, and afterwards as He rested contentedly, He contemplated the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

3

The illustrious Lord thought, "If somehow the mahā-prasāda of the trident- wielding god of gods could be obtained, then we could truly take pleasure."

4

As He was reflecting thus, a certain brāhmaṇa came before Him, bearing in his hands a small portion of Mahādeva's prasāda.

5

He said, "Please accept this prasāda of Mahādeva." Hearing this, Lord Gaura at once stood up and accepted the prasāda with bowed head.

6

They all gathered together around the mahā-prasāda, and the Lord honoured it with His servants as though it were immortal nectar. Thus Gaura Hari showed how dear Śiva is to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

7

Again Gaura Hari arose very early in great happiness, and after bathing quickly in Bindu-Sarovara, He bowed before Śrī Śiva and then left on His way.

8

When the powerful brāhmaṇa Śrī Dāmodara Paṇḍita heard that the Lord had eaten the remnants of Śiva's food, He said:

9

"One should not eat the remnants of Lord Śiva because Bhṛgu Muni has placed a curse on those who worship him. Why then did the all-opulent transcendental Lord, knowing this, eat that food?"

10

Hearing this, Murāri replied to the noble vipra, "Hear from me the reason for which the Lord ate those nectarine remnants of Śrī Śiva-deva."

11

When Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya made His auspicious arrival, Mahādeva joyously accepted Him as an honoured guest. Please hear somewhat further.

12

When bhaktas worship Mahādeva thinking of him as the best among vaiṣṇavas, Maheśvara accepts that offering from them, and that food should be considered great and pure prasāda.

13

Those who in a sectarian spirit differentiate between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and his bhaktas indeed fall down. Śrī Hari personally advented in the form of a bhakta as Caitanya Mahāprabhu in order to instruct such inimical persons.

14

The Lord of all gods, who is the supreme controller of the cosmic manifestation, certainly seeks to benefit all embodied beings. Thus, by His reverential acceptance of Śrī Śiva's food-remnants, He teaches them by His example.

15

Wherever the liṅgam is established and worshipped with a conception that Śrī Śiva and Śrī Hari have separate parties, there Bhrigu’s curse will act, because of this offense of a dualistic concept.

16

Hari and Śaṅkara have one interest. If in the presence of a Śiva liṅgam someone worships Them without a dualistic concept, the curse will not have effect.

17

By people understand Their unity of interest, love will increase for both Hari and Śaṅkara, and worship for Them both will increase.

18

By tasting such mahā-prasāda one can attain liberation, be cured from terrible diseases, and obtain undisturbed prosperity.

19

Those who out of delusion do not eat such mahā-prasāda become offenders to both Hari and Śiva. They become diseased and bereft of opulence.

20-21

Wherever the beginningless liṅgam of Śrī Śiva is worshipped with great respect by vaiṣṇavas in order to develop love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, there will be no doubt about accepting the remnants of Śrī Śiva's food.

O vipra, such devotional service is verily auspicious for all embodied beings.

Thus ends the Ninth Sarga entitled "Gaura Hari Honours the Food Remnants of Śrī Śiva," in the Third Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 22-03-2021 5.38.20 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear  Shyamananda Prabhu ji and others,

Namo Namah.

3

The illustrious Lord thought, "If somehow the mahā-prasāda of the trident- wielding god of gods could be obtained, then we could truly take pleasure."

12

When bhaktas worship Mahādeva thinking of him as the best among vaiṣṇavas, Maheśvara accepts that offering from them, and that food should be considered great and pure prasāda.

JND: So, what I understood from the above statements and the others kindly provided by Shyamanada Prabhuji that offering of food made by Vaishnavas to Lord Shiva thinking him as the best among Vaishnavas is great and pure prasada or "Shiva-prasada". This is how we offer food offering to any Vaishnava Acharya on their appearance and disappearance days. So, practically, when Vaishnavas visit any Shiva temple, they can make food offering to Lord Shiva with the  Vaishnava spirit and can receive the "maha-prasada" of Lord Shiva from that offering.

However, food offering made by a non-Vaishnava with a non-Vaishnava spirit is not called "Shiva-prasada", hence it should not be accepted by Vaishnavas.

Kindly correct me if I have understood it wrongly.

das,

Jaya Nityananda Dasa

("Nandagrama" Varnasrama Community Project)

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Sridhara Srinivasa das"

Sent: 24-03-2021 8.45.52 AM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Respected Jaya Nityananda Prabhu

Jaya Srila Prabhupada and jaya  Guru Maharaja

You wrote....

JND: So, what I understood from the above statements and the others kindly provided by Shyamanada Prabhuji that offering of food made by Vaishnavas to Lord Shiva thinking him as the best among Vaishnavas is great and pure prasada or "Shiva-prasada". This is how we offer food offering to any Vaishnava Acharya on their appearance and disappearance days. So, practically, when Vaishnavas visit any Shiva temple, they can make food offering to Lord Shiva with the  Vaishnava spirit and can receive the "maha-prasada" of Lord Shiva from that offering.

However, food offering made by a non-Vaishnava with a non-Vaishnava spirit is not called "Shiva-prasada", hence it should not be accepted by Vaishnavas.

.....end quote...

In my humble opinion we should follow our immediate Acaryas instructions.

So what is the position of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura in regards to Vaishnavas carrying offerings to a Shiva temple or Shiva deity and offering it themselves ( or by the priest?). 

If we have to go through the priest then the priest also must be a vaishnava with visible Vaishnava laksana or not be a shaiva with tripundra?

So how do we deal with this contradiction? If we were to offer it directly instead of going through priests, can we do without being in proper attire, cleanliness (taking bath and clean clothes), and also due initiation into the worship? On the other hand would that be misconstrued to be transgression of adhikara or even disrespectful to the priest that we do it ourselves and "bypass" the priest?

So, as a humble request i seek answers to these seemingly and explicit contradictions.

Your humble servant

Sridhara Srinivasa dasa

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Shyamananda Dasa"

Sent: 24-03-2021 8.46.06 AM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Dandavats Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!

In reply to your question the answer is yes, that is correct. Only difference is that we don't offer to Vaisnava acharyas only on their appearance or disappearance days but rather every offering has to be made through the Vaisnava acaryas. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described the esoteric process of offering bhoga in his song Bhoga Arati. Actually it is Srimati Radharani who cooks for Krishna and She is assisted by her sakhis and manjaris. The acaryas in their gopi svarupa assist Srimati Radharani. After Krishna eats along with Nanda Maharaja and his gopa sakhas then the prasada is taken by Mother Yasoda, Radharani and Her sakhis. This prasad is then offered to the other eternal associates of the Lord and then to the demigods led by Lord Siva who dances in ecstacy as sung by Thakura Bhaktivinoda tripurari nace jaha paya. Then the jivas of this world obtain this maha-maha prasada.

Hare Krishna!

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Kiśora Dāsa" 

Sent: 24-03-2021 5.01.55 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear devotees, please accept my humble obeisances. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!

The following passage from Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Jaiva-dharma explains the attitude of a devotee towards the mahā-prasāda of devas and devīs:

“Now, the answer to your question: ’Do the Vaiṣṇavas disregard the prasāda remnants of the devas and devīs?’ Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the only and uncontested Supreme Personality of Godhead. All devas and devīs are His devotees, solely owned by Him. Certainly, Vaiṣṇavas always honour and never deride the prasāda remnants of devotees.

“Devotion to the Supreme Lord is enhanced by accepting the prasāda remnants of the Lord’s devotees, known as mahā-prasāda. There are, indeed, other excellent devotional objects besides the prasāda remnants; for example, the devotee’s foot-dust and his footbath water, also known as caraṇāmṛta, nectar from the feet. The main point is that if a māyāvādī worships or offers foodstuff to any deva, because his consciousness is polluted by monism, the devas will reject his worship and offering. I can give myriad quotes from numerous śāstras in support of this point, if you require such.

“Truly, the māyāvādīs worship only the devas. Moreover, if one accepts foodstuff offered to devas by māyāvādīs, one’s devotion will be impaired and one will offend Bhaktidevī. However, when a pure Vaiṣṇava offers Śrī Kṛṣṇa prasādam to the devas and devīs, they receive it jubilantly and dance with joy. Then, in turn, when a Vaiṣṇava accepts these remnants, he immediately experiences exultation.

“Now see the all-powerful strength of the scriptural injunctions. In the yoga-śāstra, it is mentioned that a yoga practitioner must not take the remnants of a deva. However, surely this does not imply that yogis disrespect deva prasāda. Yet, solitary meditation is improved if such a yogi abstains from eating such prasāda. Similarly, on the path of bhakti, a devotee must accept prasāda offered only to Bhagavān, not to any deva or devī. Otherwise progress in one-pointed śuddha-bhakti is hindered. Similarly, this does not indicate disregard to deva prasāda. The abstinence from deva prasāda as recommended in the scriptures actually helps the sādhakas to advance towards their respective spiritual goals.”

(Jaiva-dharma, chapter 10, translated by Sarvabhavana Prabhu ACBSP)

Your servant, Kisora Dasa

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 25-03-2021 8.52.42 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

Dear Devotees,

Namo Namah.

>>(Jaiva-dharma, chapter 10, translated by Sarvabhavana Prabhu ACBSP) [HG Kishora Prabhu ji]

The following translation of the particular excerpt (posted by HG Kishora Prabhu ji) from the 1oth chapter of Jaiva Dharma of Thakura Bhaktivinoda has been rendered by Vaiṣṇava Folio Archives (also known as Acharya folio), Compiled by Śrī Narasingha Caitanya Maṭha is as follows [For the original Bengali text published by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, see the link: https://archive.org/details/SriJaivaDharma/page/n135/mode/2up ]:

(emphasis added) 

 "Vaiṣṇava dāsa: I am not a paṇḍita. I am a great fool. If I can speak nicely that is only because of the mercy of my paramahaṁsa gurudeva. Everyone should know that. The ocean of the scriptures has no shore. No one can study all the scriptures. My gurudeva churned the ocean of the scriptures and gave me the cream of their final conclusions. I know that what he teaches is the final conclusion of all the scriptures. The answer to your question is this: The Vaiṣṇavas do not disrespect the prasādam remnants of the demigods and demigoddesses. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the only Supreme God. The other demigods and demigoddesses are His obedient devotees. The Vaiṣṇavas respect the prasādam remnants left by the devotees of the Lord. They do not disrespect them. By accepting the prasadam remnants left by the devotees, one attains pure devotion to the Lord. The dust of the devotees' feet, the nectar water that has washed the devotees' feet, and the nectar food that has touched the devotees' lips, these three are all very wonderful and delightful. They should certainly be accepted. Here is the truth: If an impersonalist worships a demigod and offers food and other things to him, the demigod will not accept the worship, the food, or any other offering, because the person making the offering is contaminated by the impersonalist philosophy. There is abundant proof of that is in the scriptures. If you like, I can quote. The worshipers of the demigods are mostly impersonalists. The demigod-prasādam they offer destroys devotional service and creates an offense before Bhakti-devī, the goddess of devotion. If a pure Vaiṣṇava offers the prasādam tasted by Lord Kṛṣṇa to a demigod or a demigoddess, that demigod or demigoddess happily accepts that prasādam and dances with joy. If a Vaiṣṇava then takes that praśadam, he becomes filled with happiness. Look, the commands given by the scriptures are most important. It is written in the yoga-śāstra that a person practicing yoga should not accept the prasādam of any demigod. This does not mean that a person practicing yoga should disrespect the prasādam remnants offered to the demigods. It merely means that renouncing these remnants is helpful for yoga meditation. In the same way, if a person is engaged in devotional service accepts prasadam remnants offered to any but the Lord He worships, the devotee cannot attain unalloyed devotion to his Lord. This does not mean that he disrespects the prasādam remnants offered to the demigods. Please know, then, that this is ordered by the scriptures and it is meant only to attain a particular goal."

JND: Thanks to Kishora Prabhuji for kindly sharing the relevant information from Jaiva-dharma. It certainly makes the issue clear, however, the caution has been given to devotees not to accept demigod-prasadam from Mayavadis (impersonalists), for doing so destroys one's devotional service. Also, the bold portion "The worshipers of the demigods are mostly impersonalists."  gives us alarm as to not to underestimate this scenario. Hence, IMHO It would be safer to not accept any demigod-prasadam as it is difficult to ascertain whether or not we are meeting a Mayavadi worshiper (priest) just by mere appearance.

>>In reply to your question the answer is yes, that is correct. Only difference is that we don't offer to Vaisnava acharyas only on their appearance or disappearance days but rather every offering has to be made through the Vaisnava acaryas. [HG Shyamananda Prabhu ji]

  

JND: True. We offer everything to Lord Krsna including ourselves through Guru-Parampara (CC Antya 4.192). However, on the appearance and disappearance days of Vaishnava Acaryas, we make offerings of food to them in a very distinctly visible way. That was my intention. Pardon me for not making it clear in my presentation.

>>So what is the position of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura in regards to Vaishnavas carrying offerings to a Shiva temple or Shiva deity and offering it themselves ( or by the priest?).  [HG Shridhara Srinivasa Prabhu ji]

JND: I am not aware of any precedents of immediate Acharyas, however, the following verses from the Krshna Caitanya carita Maha-kavya rendered by Srila Locana Dasa Thakura, seem to indicate such practice among Vaishnavas. (3rd Prakrama, Ninth Sarga)

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vaiṇavaiḥ pūjito yatra / śrī-śivaḥ paramādarāt

 anādi-liṅgam āsādya / śrī-kṛṣṇa-prīti-hetave 20 

 tatraiva saṁśayo nāsti / nirmmālya-grahaṇe kvacit

 bhaktir eva sadā vipra / śubha-dā sarvva-dehinām 21 

   vaiṇavaiḥ - by vaiṣṇavas; pūjita - worshipped; yatra - where; śrī-śivaḥ - of the auspicious lord; parama-ādarāt - with great reverence; anādi-liṅgam - the beginningless form; āsādya - to be attained; śrī-kṛṣṇa -prīti - love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa; hetave - in order; tatra - in this matter; eva - surely; sa ṁ śaya - doubt; na asti - there is not; nirmālya-grahaṇe - in accepting the remnants of Śiva; kvacit - at any time; bhakti - devotion; eva - indeed; sadā - always; vipra - O learned brāhmaṇa; śubha-dā - giving auspiciousness; sarva-dehinām - for all embodied beings. 

  Translation: Wherever the beginningless liṅgam of Śrī Śiva is worshipped with great respect by vaiṣṇavas in order to develop love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, there will be no doubt about accepting the remnants of Śrī Śiva's food. O vipra, such devotional service is verily auspicious for all embodied beings. 

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Also, as I see, Vaishnavas are not going to have separate Temples of Lord Shiva for worshiping Him, however, in Vraja-bhumi, Lord Shiva is seen as "Gopisvara Mahadeva" or the worshipable Lord of the Gopis. Hence, at such places, Vaishnavas (when they happen to visit Him) may like to offer Him food preparations or "Krsna-prasada"with Vaishnava spirit.  We may not see it as an assertive injunction for the whole ISKCON Institution, however, it doesn't seem to be outside of the optional directives for individuals.  You may like to read SB (4.24.30, purport) regarding worshipping Lord Shiva  by devotees. 

[BVKS Sanga]

From: "Jay Nityananda Das" 

Sent: 26-03-2021 1.09.31 PM

Subject: Re: Prasada of Lord Shiva

For references regarding devotees worshiping (Gopisvara, Lord Shiva in the form of a Gopi) Mahadeva with Vaishnava spirit:

.....................................................QUOTE.........................................

“O Śrīnivāsa, I find no means to possibly describe the flower house made here for the pleasure of Lord Kṛṣṇa. See how very attractive this forest is! Here is situated Gopīśvara Mahādeva, who is transcendental to the modes of nature. By worshiping Lord Sadāśiva, who maintains all the residents of Vṛndāvana, one becomes successful in all his activities. All the gopīs always worship him with various articles to obtain the association of Kṛṣṇa. I cannot describe the unlimited glories of Gopīśvara. He is worshiped by the gopīs, therefore he is known as Gopīśvara. He is always offered prayers by the demigods, headed by Indra, for by his mercy one's love for Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana is increased.

“I worship Gopīśvara Mahādeva, who is most merciful. He takes away everyone's miseries and awards attachment to Kṛṣṇa. [Bhakti-ratnākara -Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi (New-2003), By Narahari dāsa]

....................................UNQUOTE.......................................................

The pastime of Lord Shiva (Gopisvara Mahadeva) becoming a Gopi to take part in "rasa-lila" pastimes is given in Garga-samhita, Vrindavana-khanda, chapter 25--"The description of Rasa-krida". 

Furthermore, In the courtyard of the Krishna Balarama Mandira at Nanda Bhavana is the deity of Lord Shiva known as Nandishwara Mahadeva. This deity in the form of a Shiva-linga, is said to have been established by King Vajranabha, and after this deity was rediscovered it was installed in the courtyard of Nanda Bhavana. It is the tradition that the remnants of Krishna Balarama’s prasadam is first offered to the deity of Nandishwara Mahadeva.

[Reference link: https://thepranams.com/2020/08/01/nandishwara-mahadeva/] 

 

JND: So, there are many such special places where Lord Shiva is seen as a great devotee of Lord Krsna, and there is a tradition (still exists) of offering Krsna-prasadam to Lord Shiva by Vaishnavas. Hence, with this view, we can understand that making food offerings or offering "krsna-prasadam" to Lord Shiva with a Vaishnava spirit by Vaishnavas can be done by individuals.

Once again I repeat, such practice is neither a prohibition nor an assertive injunction for the Vaishnavas, however, it is an authentic option for Vaishnavas (while visiting any such Shiva temples). Also, it is not a regular practice of Vaishnavas to visit Lord Shiva's temples daily, hence, let us not equate it with performing "Shivaratri-vrata" or any such detailed worship that demands substantial preparations in terms of worship, fasting, staying awake throughout night etc.