after prapatti---doubts

[Guest guest]

radhe krishna!

namo narayana

 

dear bhaktas,

adiyal has a doubt. it's stated that after one does prapatti, one should not

bow 2 any other devathas except sriman narayana. so y do we have the idols

of other deities in our perumal temples? and when we do enter our krishna's

temple, r we s'posed to just ignore the other gods and just go straight to

our kanna in garbhagraham?(this after one performs prapatti)

 

and aren't the other devathas and every other living being for that matter

part of krishna? aren't the other devathas basically an anga of krishna? so

wouldn't we be disrespectful to krishna if we ignore these devathas? and

aren't these devathas, bhaagavatas as well since they pray to narayana as

well? so how is it that once one does prapatti and pays respects to these

devathas, one is doing a serious offence?

 

i'm really confused. after i got the answers on bhakthi and prapatti, all

these OTHER questions have popped up in my mind. please help me understand.

 

thank u

 

regards

kalaivani

radhe krishna

namo venkateshaya

andal thiruvadigale sharanam

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Dear Devotee,

 

Not only every dEvatha, but each and every person is part of the Supreme Lord in

some way. The Lord is the very Soul to this entire Universe, so it would be

impossible just to stop with the gods at describing what are His angas.

Consequently, a SriVaishnava should strive to live in a manner that is

respectful towards all beings, not just the gods. But, being respectful towards

someone, and actually putting one's full faith and trust in someone are two

different things.

 

An analogy that may help is to see this world as one large extended family. In

this family, there are many cousins, sisters, brothers, and of course, elders,

such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, parents, etc. Those of you who have had

the good fortune to grow up in India probably have fond memories of growing up

in just such an environment.

 

In a house with so many peers and elders, respect has to be given to many, and

affection is received from many. But, understandably, in our heart of hearts,

our primary focus and favoritism remains with our parents, since their love for

us, and ours for them, is forever unconditional.

 

Similarly, while all the gods should be respected for their exalted position,

and adored for their willingness to show their compassion towards us, a prapanna

realizes that the Divine Couple, Sri LakshmiNarayana, as our True Parents, are

really the only ones with whom we share an unconditional and loving

relationship. So, just as small children naturally rush towards their parents

even in a crowded room, not being concerned with all the other relatives, we

naturally rush to the Lotus Feet of Sriman Narayana, ignoring all else until we

have offered our love to Him.

 

I hope this helps.

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mohan