Murtis of demigods

[Gaurasundara]

Can anyone kindly tell me (especially those who have Vedabase) what Srila Prabhupada said about demigod-murtos being sold in ISKCON temples?

 

Quotes would be useful. Thanks!

[stonehearted]

I don't think you'll find much because I doubt they were being sold in our temples at the time.

[Haridham]

Here in Vancouver at our giftshop there are some small deities I think of Ganesh ji. I have to look into that ofcourse.

[Guest guest]

Isn't Ganesh supposed to remove obstacles to devotional service?

[theist]

Bombay

28 December, 1974

74-12-28

Evanston

My dear Sons,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 6, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully.

Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, chapter 18; sarva-dharman parityajya, mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo, moksayisyami ma sucah [bg. 18.66]. So why you want to worship someone else. Krsna, Himself, recommends mam ekam, he alone. Therefore we must do like that. If one wants to water the tree he waters the root. There is no necessity of watering the branches. The demigods are all different parts of the universal form of the Supreme Lord. But Krsna is even more than that whole complete universal form. He is the origin of that universal form. Therefore I do not encourage you to worship this demigod, Ganesa. It is not required, it is not necessary. Simply worship Krsna. Perform nice devotional service to Krsna. Then your lives will certainly become perfect. Of course if one has got some sentiment for achieving the blessings of Ganesa for accumulating large sums of money to serve Krsna, then he may perform this Ganesa worship, privately, not making a public show. But first of all he must give me $100,000 per month. Not a single farthing less. If he can supply this amount, $100,000 per month, then he will be allowed to do this Ganesa Puja. Otherwise he should not do it. It will not be good. That is my order. So all of you keep yourselves strong in Krsna Consciousness by following all of my basic principles. That is of the utmost importance. Do not fail to chant 16 rounds daily, rise early, come to mangala arati, come to classes and follow the 4 regulative principles. In this way your life will become free from all anxieties. Please try to distribute my books in huge quantities more and more. This is very much satisfying to me.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps

[Guest guest]

In Ramayana, before Rama proceeds to war, he says "Jai Shree Ganesh" In Mahabaratha, is there any evidence of praying to Ganesh before the war was begun. Vishnu Sahasranama starts with saying a line for Ganesha. IN the same He is also called as Ganeshwara as one of His names. can anyone tell me the position of ganesh in Krishna worship.

(Yes I have read Gita and Krishna says I am all). I want to know the formal way of worship in mahabaratha period.

[Haridham]

Now are you talking about the actual ramayana or the hindi movie version of the Ramayana. I ask this because these movies are directed by people who have a thing for Ganesh ji or other demigods so they add a little here and there. Although if you do worship ganesh, you should worship ganesh to clear the path in your devotional service. Ofcourse you should just pray to krsna for that.

 

Ganesh also helped compiled the Srimad Bagavatam, I think it was written with one of his tusks or something. I am not sure though.

[Guest guest]

NOt the movie, but actually Rama prayed to ganesha before starting the war as per ramayana itself. Ganesha is known to remove obstacles before starting anythhing and thats why we pray to ganesha. I dont know how many of you read Vishnu Sahasranama. Vishnu is called as ganeshwara and worshipping Ganesha is actually worshipping Vishnu in one form. (but not as per hare krishna's who dont accept these kind of informations because their guruji's lineage does not say that)