OFFERING FOODSTUFF TO THE LORD

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says - [Regarding offering foodstuff to the Lord]

Regarding offering food: The custom is to offer the foodstuff first to the Spiritual Master; we cannot do anything directly. The Spiritual Master accepts the offering on behalf of his disciple, and offers the same to Krishna. After Krishna's eating, the Spiritual Master eats it, and then the devotees take it as Mahāprasāda. This is the system. Everything is offered to the Spiritual Master first, with the prayer "Nāma Oṁ Visnupadaya . . .''

If, in the cooking process, food falls on the floor, if it is raw and can be washed nicely, then it can be offered. But if it is prepared and cannot be washed, then it is not to be offered, but can be eaten rather than be wasted.

[Letter to Jadurāṇī: LA 15 Feb 1968]