Guest guest Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 > Dear Braja Sevaki: > > PAMHO AGTSP Hare Krishna prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. > I'm sorry I was not more specific in my original message. I know that in > the past that the ladies have not been allowed to lead kirtans, or do > Deity worship in India, so I assumed that tehy would also not be allowed > to bathe the Deities. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm sure you are > also eager to get the chance to bathe Sri Sri Panca Tattva. No, actually, I'm not....I couldn't think of anything worse than getting crushed under a thousand feet and trying to bathe the Deities...I'm not at all good at crowds You could say that's because I live here and I have other opportunities to serve, but it's not just that -- I wouldn't want to do it anyway. It's just part of my character. I also don't feel like I'm missing anything by not doing it. I can stand there and see the deities and bathe Their feet in my mind: same benefit. As for women not bathing the deities, I wouldn't want to jump to that assumption. There are three possibilities, from what I understand: firstly, that there won't be an opportunity for everyone present to bathe the deities, simply due to the logistical nightmare that represents. I don't think I need to explain that -- it's pretty straightforward. If this is the option the management choose to go with, then there will be a selection of people bathing the deities. There's no reason why some women wouldn't be included in that selection. It makes sense. The second possibility is that everyone bathes the deities, and that includes women. No issue. The only option that might exclude women is if the management decide that only the pujaris will bathe the deities, and no one else. In that scenario, naturally the women will be excluded, because there are no women pujaris in India. If you have an issue with that, then you'll have to take it up with Srila Prabhupada when you see him... Now, I know there's a quote somewhere (it may be the deity worship books) that states that whoever observes the arati or abhiseka of the deity receives the same benefit as the person performing it. If that's unacceptable to someone, then I'd say they have a sentimental understanding of the philosophy, and it's not going to be solved by this issue.... Thank you for your email clarifying what you said. I appreciate it. Your servant Braja Sevaki dd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2004 Report Share Posted February 19, 2004 In a message dated 2/18/2004 Braja.Sevaki (AT) pamho (DOT) net writes: > because there are no women pujaris in > India. If you have an issue with that, then you'll have to take it up with > Srila Prabhupada when you see him... > Maybe all of you do need to see him! He had no difficulty with ladies seriving and bathing dieties in India. We have photogenic proof of it, for those of you who doubt our personal experience and recollection! Srimate Yamuni devi, in front of Srila Prabhupada and thousands of on lookers is bathing dieties at a Pandal installation in Jaipur, circa 72. Whether or not ladies bath is hardly the issue for many of us; what remains an issue is keeping Prabhupada Y& his instructions and examples alive and well in modern day ISKCON! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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