Hare Krishna,
Laddu Gopal Ji came to my house this janamashtami, I am taking care of him daily. But there are few questions which i am seeking to be answered.
My Laddu Gopal ji has a small scar(not actually scar but a small spot left while preparing him) on the right side of his cheek which i didn't noticed earlier, I wish to remove that but i have no clue how to proceed with this will he be angry if I take him for repainting to a shop or what should I do? I am also attaching a pic of him. (I am already attached to him and I do not want another Laddu Gopalji)
Second is I keep on visiting my hometown for few days how should I take him with me I wont leave him alone he is a member of my family and I will not leave him so want to know how can I travel with him on train. IMG_20160826_241640386_HDR.jpg
Please Reply so that I can take good care of My Laduu Gopla Ji.
Hare Krishna.
Replies
Hare KRsna PRabhuji,
PAMHO.
Where are you situated prabhuji? If you are anywhere close to Vrindavan, then you may take Them there for the necessary correction. Ideally, go there first, inquire in ISKCON temple who will do the needful and when and then take Laddu Gopal ji also there at that time.
It is really nice to see that you have already developed attachment to your Laddu Gopal. That is very nice and desired.
REgarding taking Him with you on travel, the rule is - ideally you can take Him with you. If it is not possible, then you can leave Him at home or with a friend. The level of service should not go down at the friends house. If you leave Him at home, then you have to put Him in sleep mode, take off the crown and flute, keep some dry fruits and dry foods in front of Him in covered condition, keep water in covered condtion. Tell Him where you are going and when you will return. Tell Him to take care of Himself in your absence. Put the curtain of the altar and then you can leave.
When we are out, we do the same aratis that we do at home, mentally offer the arati to your Laddu Gopal. The service continues, mentally.
Normally, when I travel, and I have to go to multiple places, I may not be able to serve Him in the same manner when outside and He may be uncomfortable. Therefore I leave Him behind in the same process I have mentioned.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna Saudhabh!
Wah! What a great attachment you are developing with your Ladhu Gopal. It is great!!!
Keep rendering services to your Ladhu Gopal with best of your capacity in the mood of parental love.
To answer your question No 1,
Yes, you can decorate with the best of kind you can to your Ladhu Gopal who deserves to be of best looking without scar on His face. So, you can take to an artist to repaint or remove that scar. Lord Jagannath in Puri,gets "Nava Kalebar" (new deity form) to enhance the devotion of His devotees. Similarly, you can rejuvenate your Ladu Gopal to increase your parental love.
2) Yes, you can take your Ladhu Gopal with you where ever you go and feed Him with nice delicious prasadam if you can. How can you leave behind your beloved Ladhu Gopal when you are away from your home for a long days. If you go out for some time being, you may not take Him with you;rather, you may arrange some other member of your family to take care of Him regarding His archana in your absence. We have seen lots of traveling sanyasi in our ISKCON, for example H.H. Gopal Goswami Maharaj always carry his salagrams and deities with him when he travels.
Suggestion: Please sing some nice vaishnav bhajans or simply Mahamantra or read one page or paragraph from Srilla Prabhupada book when you make your Ladhu Gopal to go sleep every night without fail.
Thank you,
Hare Krishna