Question: Selfishness, Guru Maharaj, how to understand how much we are selfish and how much we are selfless? In what are the areas selfishness is allowed? For example, I went to Mahaprasadam stall and I saw there were four plates of idlis and behind me one devotee also wanted idli because I was in front I purchased all for my family! Which was my requirement as well. But I did not think about the other devotee behind me! Some way, in my places, I see only me and my needs. How to understand and act? Please guide me.

Jayapataka Swami: Idli bhakti! Idli bhakti! Well if you know the person behind you also wants idli, you can leave one plate for him! Ha! Ha! Take three for yourself! If it is for Krsna, or Krsna consciousness then it is selfless. One time Tamal Krsna Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada gave him a gulab jamun, put it on his plate and he was very proud that he got the gulab jamun from Srila Prabhupada. Suddenly one devotee reached out and grabbed it and ate it! YOU ATE MY MAHA PRASADAM (Tamal Krsna Maharaj said). Srila Prabhupada said, you see, maha prasad, there is no hard and fast rule! Even if you want, you can take from my plate, but please let me finish! Ha! Ha! So, because we want to have Krsna prasadam in order to advance in our Krsna consciousness, that is allowed. Also, how can you tell if this is selfless, if it is for Krsna. If you want to eat idli because it is idli and you are a south Indian and don’t care if it is prasadam or not, you are just like, IDLIS!  Then it is not, it is selfish. If you think, prasadam, I need Krsna’s mercy. Prasadam means mercy! I need the mercy! Then it is alright! Ha! Ha! What do you think? Thank you very much!
13-FEBRUARY-2020 SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, INDIA