Uninitiated Devotees Cannot Cook in the Āśrāma Kitchen (06/23/03)
Dear G___ Dāsa,
Somehow I have received the news that P____ has been cooking in the āśrama kitchen. Possibly this is a misunderstanding, but uninitiated devotees are not allowed to cook. This is the Vaiṣṇava standard. Cooking and Deity worship are reserved for the initiated disciples only. I thought this was already understood. Uninitiated devotees can assist in the kitchen, but they are not allowed to actually cook (touch fire). They are also not allowed in the Deity room.
Please check up on the situation and make sure that the standards are being properly followed.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
With Affection,
Swami B.G. Narasiṅgha
