Hare Krishna
I am hoping that someone will be able to help me on the subject of “offenses before the Deity”.
I apologise for my ignorance.
I have recently read that it is an offense to lie down before the Deity. Everyday I pray in front of the Deity in my home. Part of my prayers is mantra number 18 in Sri Isopanisad. I lay on the ground to say my daily prayers. I do not understand how this can be an offense but in the purport for Srimad Bhagavatam - 7th Canto, Chapter 5, Srila Prabhupada states that it is an offense to lie down before the Deity.
In the same purport it is stated that it is an offense to cry before the Deity. Part of my daily routine is to recite Damodarastakam and sometimes I will shed some tears, particularly whilst reading the third sloka (Krishna is so kind). I do not understand the reasons why this is an offense.
Could someone please help me understand these topics and explain how I may atone for performing offensive activities before the Deity.
Hare Krishna
Replies
पूर्णोपूर्णावतारश्च श्यामोरामोरघूत्तमः ।
अंशानृसिंहकृष्णाद्याः राघवोभगवान्स्वयम् ॥
(इति ब्रह्म संहिता)
जो श्याम वर्ण के श्रीराम है वे रघुश्रेष्ठ एवं परिपूर्ण हैं। श्रीराम स्वयं भगवान है, जिनके अंश मात्र से नरसिंह, कृष्ण आदि सब प्रकट होते हैं।
Hare Krishna,
Whatever Bharat Prabhu adviced is perfect. Read the book nicely to know all the rules and rituals to be practiced to become eligible to do deity service., and learn the proper procedure to do prostration before deity. That book is a good reference which prabhu provided.
And as far as crying also Bharat Prabhu really explained correctly. There is nothing to add, but I was reminded of an advice one time when I was in Vrindavan by a priest there.
My own experience:-
When I was standing before the deity of Banke Bihari ji in Vrindavan few yrs. back. When I didn't develop any emotions or bhava for Lord. I used to do chanting just because I came to know that it is the way to approach to Lord. I went there with my parents, and when I watching the deity observed people around. Everyone was crying. I felt bad that What a rock I am I don't have any feelings like them. Why don't I cry?
Then I was talking to a preist there and inquired just out of curiosity, why do people cry? Do all of them have so much love for Lord? I don't have any tear in my eyes. What is the reason.
He said Mata ji actually, In vrindavan we are not supposed to cry in front of the deity at all.
I inquired further, then he said, here our lalla is a chota bachha ( young lad) of 8-10 yr old. We all see our banke bihari as a kid. And In front of our kids do we cry? we just keep happy faces even when we really facing a lot in lives outside in the world, in office or work or any problem also, But as soon as we meet a kid or little boy we smile and hide all our problems and just present ourselves happy and by forgetting all pains in the world we just enjoy with the kid, play with him. isn't it? So also. in vrindvan it is not adviced that we show our sadness to our Thakur ji who is our dearmost. And Lalla knows all our inners fears,sadness everything what is there to cry and make Lalla sad?
instead we dance and enjoy ourselves forgetting all worldy sadness and dance to the flute tunes of our lalla and we all know Lalla will take care of everything. Real Pure devotees are rare who really cry for Lord mata ji .. most people come here presenting their sadness in lives and cry before Lord which we don't oppose but it is not adviced. Little Lalla will become maayoos. ( we don't want our lalla ji worry at all). Whatever problems a parent is facing the parents don't discuss with their kids and present happily in front of them. Krishna knows in and out of us. He will automatically do whatever required and good for us.
Isn't it a big advice. But ofcourse, at that time I was not having any emotion ... I was getting distracted by seeing all devotees who ever crying Lord. now we don't know for what reason everyone was crying before Lord. It is not adviced to cry before deity.. Lord is every smiling, we also should smile and greet him. As we are not so advanced devotees of Lord Like Chaitnaaya or meerabai or who cried because they felt separation. Our crying has a different reason.
But ofcourse, for a devotee there is no one to tell his or her complaints in this world and think Lord will listen do something to solve the present problems and cry before Lord. This is general people's thought.
Hare Krishna.
पूर्णोपूर्णावतारश्च श्यामोरामोरघूत्तमः ।
अंशानृसिंहकृष्णाद्याः राघवोभगवान्स्वयम् ॥
(इति ब्रह्म संहिता)
जो श्याम वर्ण के श्रीराम है वे रघुश्रेष्ठ एवं परिपूर्ण हैं। श्रीराम स्वयं भगवान है, जिनके अंश मात्र से नरसिंह, कृष्ण आदि सब प्रकट होते हैं।
Hare Krishna
Thankyou very kindly for your advice and sharing your experience. I much appreciate it. I cry mainly when I get to the section of Damodarastakam where Krishna is quoted saying "I am conquered and overwhelmed by pure loving devotion". Krishna is so merciful and kind and wonderful. I become emotional and cry. However, I think that perhaps it is my understanding of how ignorant and fallen I am is also part of the reason. I will bear in ind what you are saying. Damodarastakam should fill me with happiness.
I am reading book as advised and learning so much.
Thankyou for your time and compassion.
Hare Krishna
Hare Krsna
Is it an offense to lie down before the Deity ?
This is a reference manual for Vaishnava Etiquette. It is recomendded for reading at least once.
I think the purport you are referring to is SB 7.5.38 If someone is lying down on floor in front of deities for paying obeisances it is not an offence. If someone is lying down for sleeping or casually relaxing in front of deities it is an offence. After closing the curtain or door of deities one may lie down in that room.
It is also an offence to lie (speak untruth) in front of deities.
It is stated that it is an offense to cry before the Deity. I do not understand the reasons why this is an offense.
The crying referred to is crying in mode of ignorance due to pain without reference to the deity. Like if the deities are giving darshan and two children start quarelling and start crying. That crying would be offence. Crying out of pain in heart is considered in mode of ignorance and it creates a negative atmosphere and diverts the attention of people away from deities. Hence it is an offence.
But crying in reference to deities out of devotion is considered highest worship. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would profusely cry in separation in front of Lord Jagannatha. Srila Prabhupada would also cry tears sometimes looking at the deities of Sri Sri Krsna Balarama just being conquered by their beauty. Such crying is not offensive. It is ecstacy.
Of course sometimed people imitate ecstatic crying just to show that they are great devotees. That would be offense. Because firstly it is not real and secondly the purpose is to divert attention away from deities.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krishna
Thankyou so very much for your prompt and most helpful reply. You have explained very nicely and I have much better understanding. I will read Vaishnava etiquette as you have suggested.
Once again I thankyou
Hare Krishna