abhishek

[Guest guest]

Dear Braja Sevaki and others:

 

PAMHO AGTSP

 

Please keep us posted, we have friends in Mayapur and are always eager to

get news since we are not fortunate enough to be there this year.

 

In regards to the logistical issue, I'm not sure I understand fully. Could

not the devotees proceed in a queue and bathe the Deities as they are

walking by them? The height problem could be solved with some simple wooden

ramps coming up and down each side.

 

In larger temples such as the Bombay ISKCON temple, they move thousands and

thousands of pilgrims past the Deities during festivals. If there were 700

devotees it should not take more than an a few hours if it were done this

way.

 

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my comment about the Gaudiya Math, it's

just that I know they have a lot of influence there, and the last time I was

in mayapur in 1998, many of the women were disappointed at not being allowed

to lead the kirtans. I guess I just assumed this was the same case here.

 

>From what I"ve heard there is a growing dissatisfaction among the devotees

who are there and will not be allowed to bathe the Deities.

 

Unfortunately not all the devotees are as mature as Braja Sevaki, and want

to actually physically participate rather than just observe the ceremony.

 

Anyway best to all of you, we are happy that Sri Sri Panca Tattva are

finally there and getting installed! We sent a small donation for the feast

so please enjoy Krishna's prasadam for all us fallen souls back in the USA.

 

ys

 

Sudama das

 

 

 

 

 

> 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