Srila Prabhupada and Worship of Shiva in ISKCON Temples

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> Dear Devotees,

> Please accept my obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

>

> I remember reading somewhere a remembrance of Srila Prabhupada regarding

> installing a siva-linga in an ISKCON temple. As I recall one devotee was

> saying how he had an idea to construct a temple complex with a large

> temple on a raised area of Radha Krishna and some smaller temples situated

> on a lower level with deities of Shiva, Durga and Ganesh. The devotee was

> explaining his vision to Srila Prabhupada that this would inspire

> Hindus,and different people to come for darsan of Shiva, Durga, Ganesh,

> and then while they were there, by the presentation, they would understand

> the superiority of Radha Krishna. As I recall reading, Srila Prabhupada

> was not at all appreciative of this idea.

>

> If anyone is familiar with this anecdote or something similar please

> inform me of the details.

>

> Thank you. Hare Krishna.

>

> Das anudas,

> Madhavananda Das

 

Dear Madhavananda prabhu,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I came across this letter in files that were previously acquired

from the Archives for my work on Transcendental Diary. For some reason it

does not appear in Folio. Must have slipped through the cracks. While not

directly about Lord Siva, it is about worshipping demigods:

 

Hare Krishna Land

Juhu Road, Juhu, Bombay 400 054 India

 

Dec. 21, 1976

 

My dear Caru das:

 

Please accept my blessings.

 

I have received a letter from Mr. J. R. D. Sharma dated Nov. 30, 1976

regarding his Deities. They should be returned. What is the use of keeping

Sarasvati? We do not require to worship any other Deity besides Radha

Krishna.

 

antavat tu phalam tesam

tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam

devan deva-yajo yanti

mad-bhakta yanti mam api

 

"Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are

limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of

the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet."

(Bg. 7.23)

 

So please return his Deities and avoid any dispute. May this letter

find you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

 

[end]

 

Your humble servant,

Hari-sauri dasa