All glories to Srila Prabhupad, Hare Krishna,
The spirit souls,coming in contact of material nature from time immemorial through varieties of bodies are bound to bear the effect of material nature. Actually this is the cause of their distancing from real God consciousness. And the consequence is sorrow & unlimited misfortune. This is just the ways of material nature as formulated by supreme personality of Godhead, Lord Shrikrishna. This concept is defined with through the term " Illusion ". This fundamental is illustrated in Bhagbat Gita vide the text....
" Daibi Heisha Gunamaya........Mayametam Taranti Te "
The similar conception is also found in Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami's ever great " Chaitanya Charitamrita "........."Anadi kaler Jib Haye Krishna Bahirmukh, Atayeb Maya Dey Tara Sansaradi Dukh"
Actually "Devotion" is nothing but the activities performed between the devotee & God. The prescribed guidelines for performing these activities are both very easy & difficult. It is just a conditioned mindset wherein every single practitioner needs to never forget the exact definition of "Devotion" as it is.........
" Sarbaupadhi Binirmuktam................sevanam Bhaktir Uchhyate"
That is what the meaning of "Knowledge led Renunciation" is. So looking from the angle of easiness & difficult, real devotion happens to be something very difficult. But the other way of devotion as said by God himself in his Bhaktabatara as " Chaitanya Mahaprabhu " through his Shikhyastakam ..
" Trunadapi Sunichena.................Kirtaniya Sada Hari "
So, one can opt for the way,he feels suitable for him. But in any case,in order to walk the path of real devotion,one definitely needs to remember both the ways of devotion for safety of his practice.In this respect, the ever great sage of the age " Srila Rupa Goswami " well warns all of the track through his " Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu "......
" Anyabhilasita sunyam.....................Bhaktir Uttama "
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Replies
Hare Krsna,
Well said prabhu.
I take opportunity to share with you and other devotees what HDG Srila Prabhupada said about Deity Worship.
Deity Worship is one of the simple ways to reach perfection although it has to be done with cleanliness and care.
“Wherever there are Deities there must be first class care, arati, bhoga, cleanliness, dressing, regular classes”-
Letter to Hamsaduta, 12 October, 1973
“There is no need of adding further Deities. Once installed it cannot be changed. Do not make it childish, too much addition of Deities will encumber us.”-
Letter to Karandara, 31 March, 1973
When the large Deities are installed, the small Deities should be worshiped as Vijaya Vigraha which means this pair of Deities may go outside the Temple with sankirtan party in a small car, not always, but conveniently”-
Letter to Gopala Krishna, March 16, 1970
“Now you finish your old birth with the fire of Krishna consciousness. Worship Krishna with love. If you love Krishna, you will worship Him very nicely. And if you get Krishna, then what more can you want? That is the qualification for Deity worship.”-
Letter to Vajresvari devi dasi, 7 October, 1974
“Because we are engaged in warfare with the forces of Maya there will be casualties. We should be prepared to protect the Deities and always expect Krishna’s Mercy, because we are always dependent on Him and we cannot do anything on our own without Him.”-
Letter to Makhanlal, Friday, 22 June, 1973
I have placed one picture of Radha Giridhari on my desk and I am always admiring the beautiful decoration and the transcendental beauty of these deities. So if you can maintain and increase this standard in deity worship, everything will come out successfully.”-
Letter to Nrsimha-Caitanya, Wednesday, 5 June, 1974
“Under all circumstances you must remain in the association of devotees. Continue to make nice milk preparations for the Deities. When I come in the spring I will be glad to accept them three times a day.”-
Letter to Parvati, Friday, 27 December, 1974
“Your first business is to take care of the Deities. Practically you see that everyone is appreciating your Deity worship and Srimati Radharani is smiling, so it is a great credit for you, so continue this engagement.”-
Letter to Himavati, April 26, 1970
“All our girl devotees should be expert in Arcana and cooking. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. We shall touch the altar and Deity in very clean condition, so this point should be very carefully observed, then you will advance very quickly to the perfectional stage of Krishna Consciousness.”-
Letter to Kancanbala, April 20, 1970
“That makes the home pure, body pure, mind pure, and quickly promotes one to the pure spiritual platform. Perfection in Deity worship is called Arcana Siddhi, that simply by Deity worship one goes back to Godhead, immediately after this life.”-
Letter to Himavati, March 18, 1969
Haribol,