Srila Prabhupada told him that bathing the large Deities should be a one-time affair. Generally only the small Deities or salagram-silas are bathed.
Harikesa and Dhananjaya said that on Janmastami and Balarama's appearance day Nitai dasa had organized for the big Deities here to be bathed.
"Terrible speculation," Harikesa said.
Prabhupada shook his head in irritation. "Therefore the color has faded?" he asked, adding, "He is a rascal."
Harikesa recalled that he understood that the big Deities were never to be washed directly, and even if They were, They were to be covered with a plastic bag.
"Why did you allow?" Prabhupada asked Dhananjaya. "Just see, this is the disease. Rascals they do not know."
In response Dhananjaya said, "But everyone was listening to him. He was posing himself as the most learned in Deity worship."
"That he's fond of," Prabhupada wryly observed.
Dhananjaya added that Nitai was introducing Deity worship standards from the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. "His idea was that we would become the most famous temple for bathing big Deities in Vrndavana."
Harikesa however, pointed out that the Hari-bhakti-vilasa states that a smaller set of Deities should be used for bathing functions.
Prabhupada tipped his head, adding that the bathing was not to be done on the simhasana. "The Deity is taken out, then it is done. But that is very risky. You cannot do it. Don't allow him. He is simply posing himself very learned, above everything. That is his ambition."
Returning to the discussion of the Bombay opening, Prabhupada told Saurabha that the same priests who did our Hyderabad temple functions should be invited and that they would therefore decide the exact arrangements. He said that the Deities were not to be bathed on the altar, but rather, in front of it. "But if it is risky, you should not do," he said. "Big Deity, we have got big Deity, huh?"
"Yes," Harikesa confirmed. "They are very heavy, Radha-Rasabehari."
Prabhupada asked what had been done in Hyderabad, and Harikesa replied that the small Deities had been bathed. "Anyway," Prabhupada said, "we should not take risk at any rate."
Harikesa added that Sri Sri Radha-Rasabehari had been moved to three different locations, causing great anxiety for the pujaris, because Srimati Radharani already has a slight crack in Her left arm.
Prabhupada again admonished the devotees. "This risk should not be taken at any gain. Never mind Hari-bhakti-vilasa, this -- vilasa -- no risk. You must always know; no risk. That is the first point, then we consult Hari-bhakti-vilasa. Nobody can give reference to Hari-bhakti-vilasa at risk. No, not at all."
- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu
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