Hare Krishna! Dandavat Pranam to all!
I am in the creative field, pursuing the art of filmmaking. I've seen videos and heard of Devotees using Art, as in, painting as worship, as an offering to Krishna, which is aptly named 'Krishna Art'.
I was wondering how I could use the Artform of film as an offering, as a form of worshiping the Lord. Do I chant his name throughout the process of writing,shooting, editing? Perhaps I carry a copy of the film and offer it to deities in a nearby temple or a Tirtha? Basically, I wanted to know if there's a process by which I can offer my work to Krishna.
This may sound like a silly question, hence I'm grateful for any thoughts and advice🙏
Hate Krishna!
All Glories for Srila Prabhupada!
Replies
Many people do it...
this is the highest grossing Gujrati movie of all time made on a shoe string budget.. i must admit i only found out about it today i will watch it soon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JYLBr4Fugg
Hare Krsna Prabhu,
PAMHO.
Have you seen the film Narasimha? Make films on Krsna's pastimes, on Puranas, Upanishad, SB, CC and offer to Krsna. If you cant do only this, then make other films also, but do this also.
This way you will be utilising your talent of film making in the service of Krsna,
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krsna
How to offer work as worship to Sri Krsna ?
Excellent question. Srila Prabhupada has answered this in the following purport
As far as work is concerned, one should transfer his energy entirely to Kṛṣṇa conscious activities. As stated in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.255),
yathārham upayuñjataḥ
nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhe
yuktaṁ vairāgyam ucyate
No work should be done by any man except in relationship to Kṛṣṇa. This is called kṛṣṇa-karma. One may be engaged in various activities, but one should not be attached to the result of his work; the result should be done only for Him. For example, one may be engaged in business, but to transform that activity into Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has to do business for Kṛṣṇa. If Kṛṣṇa is the proprietor of the business, then Kṛṣṇa should enjoy the profit of the business. If a businessman is in possession of thousands and thousands of dollars, and if he has to offer all this to Kṛṣṇa, he can do it. This is work for Kṛṣṇa. Instead of constructing a big building for his sense gratification, he can construct a nice temple for Kṛṣṇa, and he can install the Deity of Kṛṣṇa and arrange for the Deity’s service, as is outlined in the authorized books of devotional service. This is all kṛṣṇa-karma. One should not be attached to the result of his work, but the result should be offered to Kṛṣṇa, and one should accept as prasādam the remnants of offerings to Kṛṣṇa. If one constructs a very big building for Kṛṣṇa and installs the Deity of Kṛṣṇa, one is not prohibited from living there, but it is understood that the proprietor of the building is Kṛṣṇa. That is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If, however, one is not able to construct a temple for Kṛṣṇa, one can engage himself in cleansing the temple of Kṛṣṇa; that is also kṛṣṇa-karma. One can cultivate a garden. Anyone who has land – in India, at least, any poor man has a certain amount of land – can utilize that for Kṛṣṇa by growing flowers to offer Him. One can sow tulasī plants, because tulasī leaves are very important and Kṛṣṇa has recommended this in Bhagavad-gītā. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam. Kṛṣṇa desires that one offer Him either a leaf, or a flower, or fruit, or a little water – and by such an offering He is satisfied. This leaf especially refers to the tulasī. So one can sow tulasī and pour water on the plant. Thus, even the poorest man can engage in the service of Kṛṣṇa. These are some of the examples of how one can engage in working for Kṛṣṇa.(Purport BG 11.55)
Based on the above there are 3 ways to offer work to Sri Krsna
1. Do work that keeps Sri Krsna directly in the center : In your scenario this would mean make films that are Krsna lila. Like Little Krishna or Mahavatara Narasimha or many other videos
2. Offer result of work : The result of film making like income, profits should be given to Sri Krsna. Meaning money should be given to service of Sri Krsna in Krsna's temple where it will be utilised for offering bhoga or offering dress to Sri Krsna or to construct temple of Krsna
3. Utilize what you have for Krsna :This means utilize the resources like equipment for filming Krsna deity or Krsna dham or Krsna Kirtan etc.
Do I chant his name throughout the process of writing,shooting, editing?
Yes, this is also offering of work to Sri Krsna if you can do it. Gopis are always chanting, thinking of Krsna when they do an activity.
Perhaps I carry a copy of the film and offer it to deities in a nearby temple or a Tirtha?
If the film is not based on Krsna lila then this need not be done. But if film is like Little Krsna animation or Mahavatara narasimha then the film could be played in front of Sri Krsna deity at home for pleaseure of Sri Krsna. Sri Rama, Jagannatha are very pleased to hear / see their own pastimes.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krishna,
Do any work consciously of Krishna's presence. When I am writing the reply to you. I am feeling Krishna's hand touching me to write the reply.
When we are doing anything realize that Krishna is sitting next to you. Krishna is holding your hand and making you do something.
Offer mentally thanks to Krishna...when your complete a job.
If the job is successfully done say Thank you Krishna you made it successful.
If the job is a faliure say Thank You Krishna you saved me from some disaster.
Maybe YOU didn't want this to become a successful. Maybe something else good YOU have planned for me.
Whatever happens it is for my benefit.
Oh my friend I totally rely on you. I am nothing whatever YOU DO I don't complain and accept it as a gift from you.
Because I know Krishna you are my ultimate Wellwisher.
Oh Krishna You have extended your hand of friendship towards me. I am unable to grab it.
Please do this instead of me trying to hold your hand..... Can you pls. hold my hand.
You know I am a buddhu ( I have no capability) I have no talent in me myself. If I hold YOUR Hand.. there is every chance It will leave it when I am running after senses.
IF YOU HOLD ME TIGHTLY OH my dear friend. I know YOU WONT LEAVE me EVER in this maaya nagri.
Pls. hold me. I offer this work mentally unto you. DO whatever you want.
WHATEVER YOU GIVE ME SUCCESS or FALIURE I will accept as YOUR WISH.
Hare Krishna