Charnamrita Seva Quiz – English

The saffron clad ashram devotees can take Charnamrita on their own.

Firstly, the book reading should be avoided at high traffic times as it will distract one from the service. Reading a book is only suitable when the traffic is low and slow.

At any time reading mundane magazines or newspapers is not allowed in the temple premises. Moreover, it is not encouraged that one reads other devotional books that may not always align suitably with ISKCON philosophy. In fact, Charnamrita volunteers being visible to all visitors, can send out wrong message to visitors about what we promote. Therefore, it is a request to only resort to reading Srila Prabhupada books during low traffic times and avoid all other books, mundane or devotional.

As a volunteer serving at the temple, it is important to maintain a respectful and welcoming attitude towards all visitors. In this scenario, the volunteer should serve the visitor with the right hand.

Serving with the left hand is considered disrespectful in Vedic culture and may offend the visitor.  It is important that volunteer keeps aside the bead on the table and serve respectfully and resume to chant again. Volunteers can learn from other devotees how to keep the beads aside so as to resume chanting from where they left.

It is ok to read a book or chant in low traffic times as there is enough gap between two serves. However, volunteer should try to avoid this in high traffic as it may come out as a distraction in the service.

When the Teertha or Charnamrita bowl is about to finish, volunteers should replenish it from the nearby container either themselves or with help from the security. This ensures that visitors can continue to receive prasadam without any interruption.

The recommended method of distributing Charnamrita or Teertha at ISKCON Vaikuntha Hill temple is to take a half spoon of Charnamrita or Teertha and drop it in the center of the visitor's palm.  If it is not high traffic times then volunteers can pour half spoon in three quick successions while chanting Hare Krishna.

It has been observed that pouring a spoonful of Charnamrita is a lot for most visitors and then end up spilling some on the floor, which is to be avoided. Therefore, it is best volunteers fill only pour half spoon to the visitors.

The distribution of Charnamrita or Teertha is an essential part of the temple service, and visitors come to the temple with the expectation of receiving the Lord's mercy in the form of prasadam. Hence, it is crucial for volunteers to start their service on time to ensure that visitors do not miss taking the Charnamrita or Teertha after coming to the temple.

Volunteers should have a respectful and devotional attitude while offering the Teertha or Charnamrita to the devotees, remembering that they are serving the Lord and His devotees.

Serving the Lord and His devotees is a matter of great honor and privilege, and volunteers should approach the task with reverence and devotion. They should distribute the Teertha or Charnamrita with care, making sure that each devotee receives a properly in reverence.

Volunteers should arrange for a suitable substitute while going on break. They should not induct any visitor as they are not part of inducted volunteers. Although, it is not a recommended practice to handover Charnamrita to the security personnel. However, during any situation of emergency, one may handover the Charnamrita to security personnel, take a quick break and then resume your service. However, it should be the last resort, if you are unable to get a suitable volunteer to relieve you.