Inquiries into the Absolute: Digest 63

[Guest guest]

Digest 63, July 15th, 2003

 

Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

 

*** You are welcome to send in your questions to HH Romapada Swami at

iskcon_dc with the word "Question" in the subject. ***

 

Worship of Lord Ganesa And Lord Nrsimhadeva

*******************************************

 

Question 1:

In Hindu culture, in all pujas we used to pray first for Ganesa

but we are not following this. Why?

 

Answer-

According to Vedic tradition, ceremonial rituals were generally begun by

worshiping the demigod Ganesa; the reason for doing so is the fact that

Ganapati drives away all impediments in the execution of such rituals.

In the Brahma Samhita, prayers by Lord Brahma, it is stated that Ganesa

worships the lotus feet of Lord Narasimhadev and has thus become a source

of great auspiciousness and is able to clear all impediments. (Text 50)

 

Vaishnava scriptures and our acaryas at times indicate the worship of

Ganesa in the execution of specific vaisnava tantras or rituals, although

it is not a mandatory principle. Perhaps you have read in Bhagavad-gita

about the differences between worshiping demigods and worshiping the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. These distinctions are nicely explained

in Bg. 7.20-23, 9.23+25 and 4.12). Krishna describes ritualistic or

materially motivated worship of demigods, without proper understanding

of their position in relation to Krishna, as improper and less

intelligent.

But if this difference is properly understood, as well as one bears in

mind the proper motive for approaching the demigod, viz. enhancing

devotion for Krishna and NOT advancing one's material well-being or

prosperity, then it is not incorrect to offer one's respect and worship

demigods. Worship of Krishna, the source of all demigods, however, is

sufficient and complete in itself, just as by watering the roots of a

tree one automatically nourishes all parts of the tree.

 

Srila Rupa Gowami mentions the worship of Ganesa in his Bhakti-rasamrta

Sindhu (see Nectar of Devotion Chapter 8, pg. 71). Srila Prabhupada,

however, did not encourage his disciples to take up such worship,

stating that it was not practically necessary and could potentially

prove to be a distraction, since one's aspirations are not only

for attaining pure devotion, in the beginning stages of sadhana

bhakti. Instead, seeking the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and

worshiping Lord Narasimhadeva were what he instituted as our means

to remove all obstacles and inauspiciousness in our devotional life.

 

Although there are many principles in the scriptures, the essential

principles applicable to a particular time, place and circumstances are

selected and indicated by our immediate acaryas. Knowing the difficulties

of the age of Kali, where our lives are very short and disturbed,

and there being so many opportunities to be deviated from the pure

knowledge and practice of Krishna consciousness, Srila Prabhupada placed

emphasis on simply focusing our attention without any diversion on the

primary processes of bhakti which are sravanam kirtanam visnu smaranam

(hearing, chanting, remembering etc. about Vishnu).

 

 

Question 2:

In our study group we are doing Narasimha Arati after Bhagavad-gita

session. Is there anything wrong in this order?

 

Answer.

No, there is nothing wrong. We worship Lord Narasimhadeva as the destroyer

of all obstacles and difficulties in the path of devotion, as I indicated

in the previous answer. Lord Narasimha is famous as the protector of His

devotee. Generally, we sing the Narasimha arati prayers at the end of

Deity worship, morning and evening arati or sankirtana, so that all our

offenses and shortcomings in the endeavor we made to worship the Lord are

vanquished.

 

 

------- x ------------- x ---------- x ----------- x ---------- x ---------- x

---------- x -----------

 

----- Festivals over the next week ------

Jul 18 2003, Friday Disappearance Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami

Jul 21 2003, Monday Disappearance Srila Lokanatha Gosvami

Jul 22 2003, Tuesday The incorporation of ISKCON in New York

 

*** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST ***

For festival information for your city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and

click on 'Calendar'

-

---------------------

** A brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami available at

:http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl?ndx=2

** This and all previous digests are available on the internet, sorted by

topics and date. **

They can be accessed at: http://www.iskcondc.org -> Philosophy -> Inquiries

into the Absolute

You can also directly link to our Philosophy website by add the following URL

to you website:

http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl

-

----------------------------

 

 

This Email has been sent to you by the ISKCON temple of Washington D.C.

Our contacts are:

Email : iskcondc (AT) prastha (DOT) com

Web Address : http://www.iskcondc.org

Postal: 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854

 

In order to be removed from this mailing list please reply with the word REMOVE

in the Subject.

-

-------------------------

 

Please note that under Bill 1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress

this letter cannot be considered "SPAM" as long as the posting includes: 1)

Contact information 2) A "REMOVE" device.