Question: I cannot remember the reference where I heard or read a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada on Ekadasi, can we offer grains to the deity? Srila Prabhupada said, “Yes, but not guru. Ekadasi is observed by jiva tattva and not Visnu tattva. Caitanya Mahaprabhu should also not be offered grains because He is playing the part of devotee. Only Jagannath, Baladeva and Subadra can be offered grains. But not to guru and Gauranga. Please can you enlighten us on this. But we know Lord Caitanya is Radha and Krsna Himself. So even if He is playing the part of devotee, why no grains offered to Him? I am confused.

Jayapataka Swami: You already quoted Srila Prabhupada in your question, so what am I supposed to say? Srila Prabhupada already said! So we can offer grains to Radha and Madhava and to the Jagannath deities. If you are worshiping Lord Caitanya as Krsna, then offer Him grains. And if you are worshiping Him as a devotee then you should offer Him Ekadasi prasadam. Usually they offer Lord Caitanya the worship as Krsna. They put Tulasi on His lotus feet. So if they do that, then they can offer Him grains, but if they are worshiping Him as a devotee, then they wouldn’t do that. Haribol!
13-AUGUST-2019 SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, INDIA