Hare Krishna Devotees,
Kindly accept my humble obeisances.
I would like to know if Laddu Gopal worship is recommended in Gaudiya Vaishnava Parampara and if not Why?
Some devotees claim it not recommended because of Madhurya Bhav but we can see some of our previous Gaudiya acharyas in Gaur Lila worshipping them. For example - Raghunandan Thakur. How can we understand this and what is the correct path to follow.
Please Guide me on this.
Replies
Hare Krsna
Is Laddu Gopal Worship recommended in Gaudiya Vaishnava Parampara?
Gaudiya Vaishnava Parampara and Siddhanta highly recommends practice of Nine processes of devotional service. Worship of Laddu Gopala deity is one of the nine processes of devotional service. Hence it is in-line as per Gaudiya Vaishnava parampara.
Please note worship of arca vigraha has pre-requisite qualifications and training.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krishna,
How can anyone copy other's bhav? It is personal relationship of you with Lord.
We cannot compare ourselves to Nitya Siddhas Like " Raghunandan Thakur" . Devotees like Raghunandan Thakur whose original swaroopa is established ( or whose eternal relationship with Lord is realized) such devotees external worship with Lord and eternal relationship is same. If you got to know your orginal swaroopa and relationship with Lord then you can also keep Laddu gopal and worship HIM.
Are you naturally attracted to Lord Sri Krishna?
What type of relationship you feel towards Krishna is must to know before you even bring Laddu gopal to home.
Look other deities of Lord are all elder form ( youth forms of Lord) Kishor avastha ..can tolerate hunger, can tolerate your delay in service ( sometimes it happens isn't it?)
You have to go to your job or you got up late or you had no fruit at home or any bhoga ready for offering to Lord you just put a glass of water and go away .. The standing form of Lord or youth form can tolerate. But little baby like laddu gopal is totally dependent on you. You have to just take care of Laddu gopal as if you take care of a baby.
The problem with Laddu gopal is.. He need your love, care .. oh He might get cold .. you have to put Him in warm clothes.. Oh the laddu gopal might feel hunger offer 8 times food.. laddu gopal needs more seva. I seen people who sing Lori to baby laddu gopal to put to sleep.. just like kids are taken out you must take him outing.. you must spend time with babies.. If they don't see you they cry. Just like that baby you need to be always with HIM. You cannot leave the baby gopal in dark place. He might be scared. You must sleep with HIM. These is more and more seva as little children we develop bhava like oh my laddu gopal might be crawling on the floor so let me make the whole room floor soft cushioned. Oh He might get got hurt on his knees while crawling.. put some vaseline to His knees at night and talk to Him .. So.. you with develop vatsalya bhava and more and more close you become to the baby you will have no time for other things in life because babies need attention full care. .. If you left HIM he might fall down or get hurt. So your constant attention is totally needed.
That is why we are cautioned to bring Laddu gopal ji to homes.
Not all of us are fully devoted like nitya siddha Raghunandan Das Thakur ji. We have just aabhaas of the prema but real relationship is yet to be established. Once established then you can get laddu gopal and spend 24/7 365 with Laddu gopal seva like Raghunandan das Thakur ji.
Hare Krishna