Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.80

c10.s1.80

The mode of taking and distributing the Mahāprasāda is then described in detail. After respectfully saluting the Mahāprasāda, the worshipper should consecrate it with the name of his Iṣṭa-deva or tutelary deity (with Gāyatrī, according to the commentary) and seven times with the Mūla-mantra. Keeping aside portions meant for Yama and the Pitṛs, it should be sprinkled with the Pādodaka and Tulasi leaves, and some verses are then to be recited. After dedicating the food to the Pañca Prāṇas, the worshipper should distribute portions to Vaiṣṇavas (but in no case to non-Vaiṣṇavas!) and himself partake of it, in front of the deity, with his face turned towards the east. The ceremony of eating also has an elaborate set of pious rules, but it is not necessary to summarise them here. The Vilāsa concludes with the glorification of the Mahāprasāda by quotation of texts on its Māhātmya.