# DEITY WORSHIP ## The Necessity of Deity Worship 68-06 “Yes, that is very nice, your statement that, 'I am offering special flowers and prayers to Lord *J* agannatha every * * morning because I know He is liberal to crippled and mistake making devotees of His lotus feet.' ==If we are always afraid of our mistakes,== * * ==Krsna will save us from== ** ==all such misgivings and even imperceptibly we commit some mistake, He will forgive us.== But we should always be very careful not to commit mistakes.” ([[letters/1968/680616_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 16 June, 1968]]) *** 68-09 “Regarding Deity worship: It is very * * much essential and in this connection you can consult Brahmananda, who is doing Deity worship in New York very nicely, and how he is feeling. ==One after another, Deity== * * ==worship should be practiced by everyone. That cleanses the contaminated body very nicely.== * * It is really the custom that before entering one must be cleansed and bathe himself regularly. The whole idea is that we must be very much sincere in our activities to serve Krsna, and everything will automatically be convenient for prosecuting our Krsna consciousness. And I hope you are doing very nicely and Krsna will give you more and more strength.” ([[letters/1968/680919_hansadutta|* SPL to Hamsaduta, 19 September, 1968]]) *** 68-10 “So to subdue lust is a different process. Then you have to take to Deity worship. Krsna is Madan Mohan. You have already stated in your letter, it is very nice, that you would much prefer to channel all your desires to Krsna, and you ask me how is this possible when enveloped in *maya,* seeing only material forms. You have also written to say that if you can see the Absolute Beauty which is all-attractive, then you could not help but be attracted and would scorn mundane beauty. This is actually the remedy. So you may take immediately to the *arcana,* the Deity worship. Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has also begun Deity worship in New Vrndavana, and Pradyumna knows how he is doing, and similarly, in New York, Brahmananda is also engaged now in the Deity worship, and the process is a little difficult in the beginning, but once habituated, it is not at all difficult. So ==apart from the marriage proposal, you may immediately take to Deity worship.== * * I am sending herewith one copy of the process of Deity worship, compiled by Brahmananda, and that will help you and Pradyumna also knows, so combined together, you immediately begin Deity worship as Kīrtanānanda and Brahmananda are doing, and ==I am sure this process, helped by your regular chanting, will kill Mr. Lust, rest assured.== * * Of course, when you begin, I am at your service always, and will give you suggestions and ways and means to make progress in the Deity worship, but you can immediately adopt this principle.” (SPL to Hayagriva, October 7th, 1968) ==68-11 “The Deity worship must be continued by everyone. Another secret of success is that when one is very much sexually disturbed, he should think of Lord== * * ==Krsna's pastimes with the gopis, and he will forget his sex urge.== * * ==To think of== ** ==Krsna's pastimes with gopis, but not to try to imitate.== ” ([[letters/1968/681108_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 8 November, 1968]]) ==68-12 “Deity worship is for such persons who have ample time. The thing is, Deity worship is compulsory, and you can increase if you have got time to do so.== * * But * mangala-arati * is essential (morning * arati), * and * sandhya-arati (evening * arati) is essential, and offering of * prasadam* to the Deity is essential. And nice dress, decorating the Deity with sweet smelling flowers, colorful and very opulent dresses, jewels, incense, etc, to make Them very brilliant and attractive, that is real Deity worship.” (SPL to Jadurani, December 14th, 1968) ==68-12 “... the way of increasing our love of Godhead. Deity worship is the practical demonstration and hearing from the spiritual master is the nourishment of the idea.== ” (SPL to Satyabhama, December 27th, 1968) 70-04 ==“I hope you are taking care of the Deities with greater attention and teaching your younger Godbrothers and sisters to follow the arcana vidhi. As we open many branches, we shall require many devotees like you to take care of the Deities very nicely.== ” ([[letters/1970/700410_yamuna|Yamuna, 10 April, 1970]]) *** 71-11 ** ==“For spiritual life chanting Hare Krsna is sufficient but because we are habituated to unclean habits we must have temple worship. Sankirtana will keep everyone's mind clean and surely this quarreling will cease.== ” (SPL to Visnujana dasa Maharaja, November 4th, 1971) 71-11 “I am especially pleased that you are finding great pleasure in serving Their Lordships in Hamburg temple as *pujari.* I think that under your care They have become very gorgeous and satisfied. It is the sole aim of life to be constantly absorbed in thoughts about Radharani and Krsna, and ==because you are so determined to become fully Krsna conscious, Krsna has given you this opportunity to realize that aim by serving Him directly.== ” (SPL to Himavati, November 17th, 1971) 71-11 * * ==“It is very nice that== * * ==all the men should participate in Deity worship, this will sanctify all their other work.== ** ==I think you are the most clever manager, better than your husband, because you are organizing temple routine very nicely for serving the Deities and this will have very good results for everyone.”== (SPL to Himavati, November 17th, 1971) 72-07 ==“I am simply surprised that you want to give up your child to some other persons, even they are also devotees. For you, child-worship is more important than Deity-worship.== * * If you cannot spend time with him, then stop the duties of * pujari.* At least you must take good care of your son until he is four years old, and if after that time you are unable any more to take care of him then I shall take care. These children are given to us by Krsna, they are Vaisnavas and we must be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krsna consciousness. That is very great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is very clear.” ([[letters/1972/720730_arundhati|Arundhati, 30 July, 1972]]) *** 73-11 ==“I am always very much encouraged when senior devotees like yourself and Rupanuga Maharaja are tending to Their Lordships. This gives me assurity that our high standard will continue. Thank you very much for this, I am sure that Krsna will give you all intelligence in how you can improve your service to Him.”== (SPL to Damodara dasa Prabhu, November 25th, 1973) 74-10 “I have noted in your letter that you want to serve me. I only want that all of you, my disciples, always think of Krsna and never forget Him for a moment. In this way you can conquer Krsna. He becomes so attracted by pure devotion that He gives Himself to His devotee. And if you get Krsna then what do you want more? How to think of Krsna, that I have given, following the devotional practices and chanting sixteen rounds minimum. ==We have also established worship of the Deity in our temple so that== * * ==all day long one will automatically think of Krsna, He is so kind.== * * So now Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has recommended you for twice-born initiation, *dvija (dvi-* means twice and *ja-* means birth). Now you finish your old birth with the fire of Krsna consciousness. Worship Krsna with love. That is the qualification for Deity worship. If you love Krsna, you will worship Him very nicely.” ([[letters/1974/741007_gargamuni_swami|Vajresvari devi, 7 October, 1974]]) *** 74-11 ==“I am glad to see that you are advancing in== * * ==Krsna consciousness by this worship of the Deity. This is the practical application to what we find stated in the Bhagavad-gita: mana-mana bhava mad-bhakto, mad-yaji mam namaskuru.== * * We do not speculate on what Krsna says but we follow whatever He says implicitly. I also follow this process. Every morning I go to the temple and see the Deity and offer obeisances, so I expect each and every one of my disciples should also follow what I have given in this connection, arising early, taking bath, attending *mangala-arati. Yuktasya bhakams ca niyunjato 'pi* the Deity is non-different from Krsna Himself. This we have to understand.” ([[letters/1974/741103_bijay_kumar_kannungo|Lilasakti devi dasi, 3 November, 1974]]) ==76-01 “In India the system is that people go to see the Jagannatha Deity. The Deity is not very beautiful from the artistic point of view, but still people attend by the thousands. That sentiment is required.== * * Similarly with our * kirtana * we are only using drums and * karatalas, * but people come to the point of ecstasy. It is not the ornamentation, it is the ecstasy. This ecstasy is awakened by * sravanam kirtanam* by devotees. I hope this makes everything clear.” ([[letters/1976/760129_karandhara|Dr. Wolf, 29 January, 1976]]) ## The Result of Performing Deity Worship 68-06 “Syamasundara is a good servitor from the very beginning and so is Harsarani. I am very much obliged to you all that you are taking care of Jagannatha so nicely. ==The more you make the Deity of Jagannatha attractively dressed, the more you shall become spiritually attractive== *.* If Jagannatha desires, then I may also join you, but the idea of making San Francisco as New Jagannatha Puri is my transcendental dream, and if you fulfill this dream, I shall be so much obliged to you all.” ([[letters/1968/680601_upendra|Upendra, 1 June, 1968]]) *** 68-09 “Regarding my Deity worship: I can understand that the regulative principles are taking much of your time, but you can minimize according to your convenience. There is no harm. But I am so glad to learn that this engagement makes one develop the *brahminical* qualities. I thank you very much for appreciating this secret of worshiping the Lord. ==Generally in the conditioned state we are contaminated. But this worshiping system called arcana-vidhi cleanses the polluted heart== * * and one becomes actually fit for becoming qualified * brahmana. * So at least you be engaged in that way. Where is that boy Jaya Rama, who was taking care of it? So one by one, one should be engaged in that * arcana-vidhi * so that one may be fixed up in his * brahminical * qualification* .” ([[letters/1968/680915_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 15 September, 1968]]) *** 68-09 “I am very glad to learn that Hari Vilasa has given you a pair of Radha-Krsna *murtis,* so it appears that Radha-Krsna is very * * kind upon you, because you went to Vrndavana to live there but circumstantially you could not live there, and you left. Krsna has given you New Vrndavana, as well as He has, out of His good will, come to you. So please welcome the Deity and install Him on a nice throne. I think Vamanadeva will be able to prepare a nice throne, and you have seen the New York Deities' dress and process of worship, so you can do in that way. There is nothing to be added new. The same principle should be followed and the Deities should always be well-dressed in clothing and some ornaments and flowers and incense. The Deities should always be attractive. And ==the more we are engaged in decorating the Deities, washing the room, the more we are engaged in Deity worship the more we become purified. That is practical.== * * Brahmananda is also taking care of my Deity in New York, and he is practically experiencing and doing it. So if necessary you can take some information from him also.” ([[letters/1968/680922_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 22 September, 1968]]) *** 68-10 “Yes, when Krsna has given us New Vrndavana, it must develop, rest assured. You have got very good engagement by the grace of Krsna, do it nicely and your life will be successful. So also Hayagriva's. When you go to Columbus take Radha-Krsna with you and teach Hayagriva also how to worship the Deities. If required, ask Acyutananda and Jaya Govinda to send you another pair of Deities for Hayagriva. Radha-Krsna shall be your life companion and thus you will always be secure from the attack of *maya.* So also Hayagriva. The present mode of worship is quite all right, don't worry. You have seen in Vrndavana, so do follow as much as possible. ==Decorate the Deity as nicely as possible with nice flowers and dress. You will forget all other false beauty.== **Open the Columbus center gorgeously along with Hayagriva and Pradyumna. The boys will like it. Carry Deities with you. Krsna is so nice. He is carrying the whole planetary system as Sankarsana, but at the same time He agrees to be carried by His devotees as small as a devotee can carry Him. He is greater than the greatest and smaller than the smallest. His greatness is there even when He becomes small to be carried by a devotee. The Mayavadis cannot understand how the greatest can become the smallest as it is impossible on material understanding. I am going to Montreal to meet the consulate of the USA for my permanent visa. Let me see what Krsna desires.” ([[letters/1968/681022_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 22 October, 1968]]) *** 69-01 ==“I am glad to hear you that you are helping out in tending the Deities. This is very spiritually beneficial engagement, and along with chanting the required number of rounds of Hare Krsna, Krsna is sure to give you all facilities to perfect your life in full Krsna consciousness.”== ([[letters/1969/690118_satsvarupa|Syama dasi, 18 January, 1969]]) *** 69-03 “I thank you very much for your letter dated February 21st, 1969, along with the Deity dress. It has come to me late on account of changing places so quickly and the statement given by you in the matter of worshiping the Deity is super excellent. Please continue this system and Krsna will bestow upon you all blessings. ==If one attains perfection in Deity worship, that is called arcana-siddhi. Arcana-siddhi means simply by Deity worship one goes back to Godhead immediately after this life.== * * So this * arcana-siddhi * program is given in the * Nārada Païcarātra * especially for the householders. Householders cannot undergo strict disciplinary activities of austerity, therefore for every householder the path of * arcana-siddhi* is very much recommended. According to the Vedic system, all householders are ordered to keep the Deity at home and follow strictly the worshiping process. That makes the home pure, body pure, mind pure and quickly promotes one to the pure platform of spiritual life. The temple is also especially meant for the householders. In India, in every town, in every village, in every neighborhood still there are Visnu temples for the convenience of the surrounding householders. So I am pleased that you are ideal householder. And you are doing very nicely combined together husband and wife. Please do it as you are doing and gradually Krsna will give you all facility.” ([[letters/1969/690318_himavati|Himavati, 18 March, 1969]]) ==69-10 “I am pleased also that you are decorating your temple nicely, and the more you decorate the temple beautifully the more your heart== * * ==will be beautiful.== * * The example is that the more you decorate the original the more the reflection automatically is decorated. So our heart is the reflection of the original consciousness, Krsna, and the more Krsna and His paraphernalia are decorated the more this will be reflected in our heart and we will feel transcendental bliss.” ([[letters/1969/691027_upendra|Upendra, 27 October, 1969]]) *** 70-03 * * ==“I am also very pleased to learn that the Deities are now receiving proper service and you are developing a great love for Them. Please continue your sincere service with even greater vigor, and your love will grow increasingly more.== * * Actually when this dormant love for Krsna is aroused in the heart of the devotee, there are for him no more problems of life. So continue to chant regularly Hare Krsna and be happy. Your nice service attitude is most encouraging to me.” ([[letters/1970/700306_vasudeva|Vasudeva, 6 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated sometime April, and I am so glad to learn that you are making advancement in Krsna consciousness as it is scheduled. It appears that you are on the attachment platform, this is very good. The next platform is ecstasy and then pure love of God. So stick to your duties at the present moment, and when it is convenient you can go with the *sankirtana* party but never neglect the *arcana* regulation at any cost. If you have no time you are not required to go with the *sarikirtana* party. ==Your first business is to take care of the Deities. Practically you see that everyone is appreciating your Deity worship and Srimati Radharani is smiling,== **so it is a great credit for you, so continue this engagement.” ([[letters/1970/700426_himavati|Himavati, 26 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 “You have described Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Krsna at London temple as wonderful. Yes, that is the test of standard service. ==If we see the Deities in a very pleasing mood, that== ** ==will certify our service unto the Lord. So everywhere we shall see the Deities in such a pleasing mood. As soon as we see the Deities in a different mood we must immediately understand our discrepancies.== ” ([[letters/1970/700527_tamala_krsna|Tamala, 27 May, 1970]]) *** 70-07 “The slides which you have sent of recent temple innovations are very, very excellent. ==One Bengali gentleman from London has sent me a== * * ==letter praising your decoration of the Deities. The exact words he has used is that one cannot turn his face once turning towards the Deities.== * * I have also seen the slides and my opinion is also the same. Please therefore go on getting credit for your service to the Lord. I am very much happy to learn it. Does your husband sometimes help you in this connection or not? I think he should be also trained up so that one day in a week he may also take charge of the Deities although he has got many other duties.” ([[letters/1970/700726_yamuna|Yamuna, 26 July, 1970]]) *** 70-11 “I am so pleased that Srimati Jambavati devi is caring for the Deities there so well. ==When the Deities== * * ==will be radiant, it means that the service is going on nicely.== * * So regarding the Los Angeles Deity worship, you were carrying it out very well in my presence, so you continue in that way. Two baths daily for Their Lordships is not required, but twice dressing is nice. Your program for training everyone in the proper form of Deity worship and other temple activities is very, very good. We want that all our men shall be able to do everything in Krsna consciousnessa devotee is expert in all things.” (SPL to Karandhara, November 13th, 1970) 71-06 “I am so glad to hear how nicely you are attending the Deity. Please continue this activity along with your other Godsisters. ==The more you beautify the Deities, the more your heart== ** ==will be beautiful and you will understand Krsna consciousness very distinctly.== Yes, the bumblebee is very much favored by Krsna and Radharani. Sometimes the bumblebee is taken as a messenger by Radharani and She rebukes the bumblebee because the bumblebee is blackish and Krsna is also blackish. Still, in spite of all rebuking, the bumblebee tried always to touch the lotus feet of Radharani. Therefore the bumblebee is to be offered all our reverence and respect. So please try to attract always the bumblebee by sufficiently decorating the Deity with flowers.” (SPL to Citralekha, June 15th, 1971) ==71-11 “If one simply deposits all of his or her loving propensity onto the Deity of Krsna, immediately they are relieved of anxiety due to material sense agitation. This is Krsna consciousness.”== ([[letters/1971/711117_himavati|Himavati, 17 November, 1971]]) *** 71-11 “I am especially pleased that you are finding great pleasure in serving Their Lordships in Hamburg temple as pujari *.* I think that under your care They have become very gorgeous and satisfied ==. It is the sole aim of life to be constantly absorbed in thoughts about Radharani and Krsna, and because you are so determined to become fully Krsna conscious, Krsna has given you this opportunity to realize that aim by serving Him directly.== I have always instructed that the standard of *arcana* worship must be kept very high, because this will insure that every other temple activity will also flourish. So I am relieved to know that now the Deities are in your care. Thank you for this.” (SPL to Himavati, November 17th, 1971) 72-06 “So you can mention this fact to her [Sumati Morarji] that now we have fulfilled her desire and we are living in close proximity to her, so she should take advantage of Krsna's blessing her with such an opportunity for serving the Lord, by herself building our Juhu temple. ==Encourage her to attend the meetings every day, and if you make the Deity worship very, very opulent and gorgeous, she== * * ==will automatically be attracted to Them.== * * She has no children of her own, so why she should not take Radha and Krsna as her children? So you can propose gradually and tactfully that she can alone build up a wonderful temple on our property and we shall name it ’Sumati Temple’ or ’Sumati Hall.’ So encourage her in this way, and I am very much engladdened that she is so much willing to help us, now you apply yourself to the matter very diligently and think always of Krsna and it will come out very auspiciously.” (SPL to Giriraja, June 21st, 1972) 72-06 * * ==“Your proposal is very nice to make the atmosphere of the Deities very, very opulent, and the temple must be kept always very nice. That== * * ==will be the== ** ==attractive feature and people will come to see for that reason.== ” ([[letters/1972/720625_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda, 25 June, 1972]]) *** 72-09 ** ==“Yes, God is always there in His arca-vigraha form, either as Krsna or Rama or Caitanya, whatever. So He must be offered all respects as if He is there personally present, and if you are always sincerely chanting and following our Krsna consciousness program of chanting and other things you will very quickly develop the eyes to see Krsna there.”== ([[letters/1972/720902_lalitananda|Lalitananda, 2 September, 1972]]) *** 72-12 “But one thing is, you were spending $900 monthly for Deity expenses, and still you are spending $900, so if total income is increasing more than double, why not increase also expense for the Deity? ==We may spend anything and everything for the Deity, as long as there is no scarcity, and by that lavish spending to glorify Radha and Krsna, They will become very much pleased upon you and bless you more and more.== *” ([[letters/1972/721231_bali-mardana|Bali Mardan, 31 December, 1972]]) *** 73-03 * * ==“You say that you have eight== * * ==brahmanas, that is very good, now engage all of them so that everyone becomes expert. By nicely worshiping the Deities we can be so pure in condition of health, mind and intelligence.”== ([[letters/1973/730304_trai|Bhakta dasa, 4 March, 1973]]) *** 74-06 “I am especially attracted to the pictures you have sent of Radha Giridhari, the Deities of San Diego ISKCON. I have placed one picture on my desk and I am always admiring the beautiful decoration and the transcendental beauty of these Deities. ==So, although your temple may not be one of the largest you are excelling in Deity worship. If you can maintain and increase this standard, everything will come successfully.”== ([[letters/1974/740605_nrsimha_caitanya|Nrsimha Caitanya, 5 June, 1974]]) *** 74-06 ==“I want to thank you a hundred times for the excellent way you are worshiping the Deity there as I can see from the color photographs you have sent.== * * From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha. When I was six years old my father gave me a * ratha* and I was performing the Ratha-yatra in my neighborhood. And now in the Western world you are worshiping Lord Jagannatha so gorgeously and it pleases me very, very much. Thank you again for the way you are conducting the Deity worship in the Philadelphia temple. As for the Ratha ceremony, you go on with it, I shall attend there next year. But you go on holding a splendid ceremony for the people of the city. I am sure it will be a success.” ([[letters/1974/740610_ravindra_svarupa|Ravindra Svarupa, 10 June, 1974]]) *** 74-07 “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 17th, 1974 with enclosed photographs of Lord Jagannatha. ==I can see that you are very nicely taking care of the Deities, and this is much appreciated by me. Now you stick to this process of worship of the Deity and you will advance more and more== **in Krsna consciousness. I very much enjoyed my stay in New Vrndavana, and was glad to see everything going on very nicely. So now just cooperate with the leaders there and expand it more and more.” ([[letters/1974/740726_hladini|Hladini, 26 July, 1974]]) *** 74-10 ** ==“From the pictures it appears that the Deity worship is going on very nicely. Krsna is very satisfied by His face. He looks very healthy. He is very fond of milk and butter. He is a butter thief. You have now got cows, so offer nicely. I have asked that the picture be framed. I think that the Deity worship is almost better than our Los Angeles center.”== ([[letters/1974/741006_madhavananda|Madhavananda dasa, 6 October, 1974]]) *** 75-11 “As a child when I was going to the neighboring Mallik temple, I was thinking then when will I have such a nice Deity to worship and now Krsna is so kind that I am establishing so many nice temples all over the world. Now I want that there should be established one hundred and eight temples before my death, so you think how to do it. Make some program, train up devotees. All temples in Melbourne, London, Paris, Bombay, all are very nice. ==Everything is very bright and brilliant. The Deity is proof of the sincere service. It is the duty of the GBC now to maintain this. Their duty is how to enthuse them and maintain.”== ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Madhudvisa Swami, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 76-07 ** ==“The enclosed photo of the Mississippi farm Deities is very nice, super excellent. The Deity must be very nicely worshiped, dressed, and fed, etc. In so doing you will always be peaceful and enlivened.”== ([[letters/1976/760708_balavanta|Balavanta, 8 July, 1976]]) ==76-07 “I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 26th, 1976 with enclosed photos of the New Delhi temple. So many people are coming to the New Delhi temple because of the nice Deity worship. This is very good. Keep the standard of Deity worship very nicely.”== ([[letters/1976/760711_bishambhar|Gopala Krsna dasa, 11 July, 1976]]) ## Acquiring and Repairing Deities ==68-01 “I quite approve your plan for manufacturing Jagannathas and do some profit out of it for maintenance of our temple.”== (SPL to Hamsaduta 22nd, January, 1968) ==68-02 “== I am glad that the devotee who is a sculptor has joined us. I am trying to carve one Radha-Krsna *sri murti* in wood done by Gaurasundara but Gaurasundara is not a sculptor, still he is trying to do it. ==But if this boy is actually a sculptor, he may immediately begin to carve one Radha-Krsna sri murti in wood 24” high.== In San Francisco, Syamasundara is preparing a nice throne and in future we have to install Radha-Krsna *sri murti* in all of our temples. Regarding cracking of Jagannatha, whether it is being repaired or replaced, I shall be glad to know.” ([[letters/1968/680220_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 20 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 “I am glad to understand that Lord Jagannatha is being repaired and after this he will begin carving Sri Radha-Krsna *murti.* I am getting one pair carved by Gaurasundara. ==Please find out if this boy Bob has got any knowledge or experience of casting or any such equipment. I want to make one hundred murtis, probably in hard rubber, for our temples.== Hope you are well.” ([[letters/1968/680226_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 26 February, 1968]]) ==68-03 “I== ** ==am also very happy to learn you are a sculpture student; at the present time, I am trying to carve out of wood Sri Radha and Krsna murthi. If you can carve out these Deities, it will be very nice.”== ([[letters/1968/680303_hansadutta_himavati|Michael O'Leary, 3 March, 1968]]) ==68-03 “Regarding the casting of Sri Radha and Krsna: as soon as the statues are finished, I shall send it for casting, at least one pair. And as soon as you receive these statues, please do the needful.”== ([[letters/1968/680313_aniruddha|Aniruddha, 13 March, 1968]]) *** 68-08 * * ==“If you can carve Radha and Krsna murti very nicely, it will be a great service to the Society.== * * There is a quality of wood, which is very hard and strong and black and heary. In India we call it iron wood. I think it is called ebony here. If you can carve Krsna from this ebony wood, and Radharani from another wood, one which is very hard, and of golden color, and from this same golden wood, Lord Caitanya (all of Them 24” in height, and Radharani a little less) then you can begin this work immediately. I am so glad to learn that you are eager to serve Krsna in every way possible. This mentality is very rare, and I guess that you must have been engaged in Krsna's service in your previous life. To be eager to serve Krsna is the greatest achievement after many, many durations of pious life. So I entrust you to begin this work immediately. And concentrate your energy making this art perfection. So far Radha-Krsna *murtis* are concerned, you have many pictures in San Francisco, and you can do accordingly, and so far Caitanya Mahaprabhu *murti* is concerned, I am giving you a rough diagram herewith. (Murari has got one diagram drawn by Gaurasundara under my supervision which you can also see.)” (SPL to Nathan Baruch, August 7th, 1968) 68-11 “Regarding the casting of Nrsimhadeva *murtis,* I could not follow what you mean by this. I know Rukmini can paint, so if she paints Nrsimhadeva pictures, let her do this, as many copies as she can. ==So far casting in metal or in any other solid material is concerned, if she is able to do it, let her do the job in casting== * * ==Radha-Krsna murtis== * .* We require many * Radha-Krsna murtis* both in our temples as well as in private household homes. Yes, that is a nice idea to copy photos of lotuses and flowers.” ([[letters/1968/681101_satsvarupa_jadurani|Jadurani, 1 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 ==“Also, your carving and painting Lord Jagannatha Deities is very nice; we shall require such Deities in all of our temples.”== ([[letters/1968/681126_upendra|Candrava1i, 26 November, 1968]]) *** 68-12 ** ==“So far as having the Radha-Krsna murtis carved for Rs. 1,000/-, it is too costly. Continue to negotiate with Jaya Govinda on this matter. Here in Los Angeles, one boy, Nara-Narayana, is planning to attempt murtis in bronze but I do not know that he will be successful.”== (SPL to Yamuna, December, 1968) ==69-01 “Regarding casting of Radha and Krsna Deities, I have already instructed you about casting in plaster of Paris. The whole thing is that we wish to have these Deities nicely done== and as soon as possible. So I think that this idea of using plaster of Paris will be very easily and quickly executed. The mold may be made from the Deities already in New York, so, as far as I know, this will be the most practical method for seeing this task completed.” ([[letters/1969/690123_cidananda|Nara-Narayana, 23 January, 1969]]) *** 69-02 “You have mentioned in your letter that you have been making plans to build a shrine, and when you are able to, please send these plans to me so that I may see what you have in mind. I am also pleased to note that Vamanadeva and yourself are seriously taking steps to begin the project of making thrones for the Deities of all of our temples *.* ==In New York, Nara-Narayana is going to try again to have brass Deities made from the mold made from the Deities in New York.== **Similarly, there is the possibility of obtaining Deities from India in the near future. So in either of these cases we can expect many new pairs of Deities before very long, and such thrones as you are planning to work on will be an essential addition to all of our temples.” ([[letters/1969/690207_murari|Murari, 7 February, 1969]]) *** 69-07 “I am glad that your friendship with Mr. George Harrison is gradually working, so much so that he is now prepared to spend $3,000 for an altar slab and a block of bluish marble for carving Krsna or Lord Caitanya. ==For Lord Caitanya yellowish marble or white marble should be used. If yellowish golden colored marble is available, that is very nice.== **Another thing is that these forms should be worshiped. Our Deity worship is not heathenism. If we keep forms of the Lord without worshiping the Deity under regulative principles it will gradually turn into idol worship which is an offense. The Deity of the Lord and the Lord Himself are identical, Krsna can act through the Deity perfectly. As I have given several times the example, the mailbox can act perfectly as the post office because it is authorized. Similarly, when the Deity is installed under authorized regulative principles, the Deity is as good as Krsna Himself. So you may advise your friend on this principle.” ([[letters/1969/690715_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 15 July, 1969]]) *** 70-01 ** ==“Regarding Srimathi Subhadra, the old Deity should not be repaired, but a new Deity should be carved and installed. The old Deity may be wrapped up in some cloth, tied up and weighted with stones, then put in the river. This is the procedure to be followed.”== (SPL to Rukmini, January 22nd, 1970) 70-12 ==“So far as your casting of murtis there during the winter months, that sounds very nice. If you could produce plaster murtis of Lord Caitanya the same size in height as Kartamasi murtis you produced earlier, that would be very nice”== (SPL to Nara-Narayana and Dinadayadri, December 19th, 1970) 71-05 ** ==“I am so glad to note that Sri Gaura-Nitai Deities are already finished. The color is molten gold or bright yellow resembling golden color but don't apply gold paint. The eyes should be nicely painted. You have got the idea. You have seen many pictures and I am seeing from here that you are doing nicely.”== (SPL to Govinda dasi, May 28th, 1971) 71-08 “Your idea for a festival much like the one we held in Calcutta and Bombay, at all the university campuses is a very good proposal, so do it nicely. Simply pictures of Guru-Gauranga will do; there is no need of taking along Jagannatha Deities. And so far getting Jagannatha Deities from Jayapataka Swami, why you are making that extra expenditure? ==All our Jagannatha Deities are locally carved. Any boy who knows carving can carve Jagannatha.== **If you want you can order Gaura-Nitai Deities that is all right.” (SPL to Sri Govinda dasa, August 5th, 1971) 72-02 ==“So far your Jagannatha Deities which have become badly cracked, it is better to replace Them, but if that is not possible then you may repair.”== (SPL to Satyabhama, February 28th, 1972) ==73-06 “The Deities may be immediately repaired and worshiped. Now we must take precaution as you have suggested. You may get some guns and some of the boys may be trained as ksatriyas.== Such gun shots could have taken place long ago since we are challenging everybody. So we must be prepared to fight. We cannot stop this movement. It is actually a fight against *maya* . So *maya* may also sometimes cause casualties in our camp. So, we must only thank Krsna and seriously dedicate everything for Him. So, you are Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, take pleasure in performing kirtana. That is our real weapon against *maya* .” ([[letters/1973/730614_kirtanananda|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 14 June, 1973]]) *** 74-01 ** ==“As for Italian marble, if it is cheaper there, why not? Italian marble is known to be very good. I am sending you a photo of the LA Deities. Ask a cost estimation for Deities 40” high and then we can consider. Krsna may be black or white. Radharani is always white.”== ([[letters/1974/740105_dhananjaya|Dhananjaya, 5 January, 1974]]) ==74-05 “Yes, there is no objection to your casting clay forms of Deities into plaster. I understand you are a nice artist in this medium, so make Deities of Gaura-Nitai and send me photographs of the forms. We can discuss this further when I come to Paris.”== ([[letters/1974/740509_manager_of_liberty_bank|Madhava devi, 9 May, 1974]]) ==75-01 “Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 12th, 1974 and have noted the contents. You can work on the hair sets while the Deities are taking rest.”== ([[letters/1975/750101_visalini|Visalini devi, 1 January, 1975]]) *** 75-05 ==“I saw one photo there of Baradraja's doll studio along with the others. You can tell him that we want many Panca-tattva Deities made out of cement or plaster of Paris. They can be made the same size as the LA Gaura-Nitai Deities.”== ([[letters/1975/750531_hansadutta|Kalacanda dasa, 31 May, 1975]]) ==75-08 “Regarding Adelaide, unless you are sure that the Deity worship will go on nicely, do not install the Deity. Simply have kirtana and keep the Panca-tattva picture, that's all. What are the ingredients of the Lord Caitanya murti? Metal or wood is best, but not ordinary wood. Nim wood which is never attacked by moth is best.”== ([[letters/1975/750804_gopala_krsna|Madhudvisa Swami, 4 August, 1975]]) *** 75-11 * * ==“Regarding the Gaura-Nitai Deities,== * * I think 100 dollars is too much to pay for one pair of Deities. ==Better you carve Them from wood. In India the carvers have always used a wood bitter in taste, this keeps the worms from eating it, best is nim wood== **and if such wood (bitter in taste) is available there then why not make Gaura-Nitai from wood? In New Vrndavana we have so much woodland, and it is not that Deities have to be made in Hawaii, why not in New Vrndavana and supply all our centers? Let me know.” ([[letters/1975/751127_brsni_prabhu|Brsni dasa, 27 November, 1975]]) *** 76-10 ** ==“Regarding the Lord Jagannatha Deities, if They cannot be worshiped, They should be thrown in the sea.”== ([[letters/1976/761004_balavanta|Balavanta dasa, 4 October, 1976]]) ==77-05 “Regarding the idea of getting 36” nim wood Gaura-Nitai from Calcutta, that is very good. Or if somebody can carve Them locally, that will also be very nice.”== (SPL to Hari-sauri dasa, 1st May,* 1977) ## Deity Installation 69-02 * * ==“Regarding your idea of having an installation ceremony for the Deities, it is a very good suggestion, and you may also have the sacrificial fire. The Deities should be bathed with milk,== * * and while bathing, They must have a covering of thin cotton cloth, and the whole body and the clothing should be wet by pouring the milk. You can see the picture of this in the new *Back to Godhead,* and perhaps you saw the ceremony when it was held in New York. The Deities should be decorated with sufficient flowers and nice gorgeous dresses and ornaments. Beforehand, you should polish the bodies with a mixture of tamarind pulp and fuller's earth. Apply the pulp on the bodies, then rub it and then polish nicely with tissue paper. This will give a very good shine. Then bathe the Deities with milk and dress very nicely with ornaments and place Them on the throne with flowers, candles, etc. The throne if possible should be coated with silver sheets and the canopy should be red velvet with gold embroidered work. Before the Deities, on the staircase, there may be some silver polished cups, pitchers, etc. I think the Deities already have helmets and peacock feathers and hair to be dressed with. If not, make arrangements for this also. I do not know how big is the throne, but if it is very big, then within the throne there may be a raised seat to accommodate the Deities. On the whole everything should be very gorgeous, then it will be successful.” ([[letters/1969/690212_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 12 February, 1969]]) *** 69-08 “I am pleased to learn that you now have *Radha-Krsna* == == Murtis given to you by Mataji Syama devi. == For the time being you should keep Them covered, and when == * * == I go there I shall install Them and teach you how to do everything nicely. In the meantime you should not tend these Deities,== * * but a nice throne should be constructed in the same fashion as the picture which was sent to you recently. In Los Angeles temple they have constructed a beautiful throne, just on the measurements and colors as depicted on the picture sent to you, and it has come very successful.” ([[letters/1969/690805_yamuna|Yamuna, 5 August, 1969]]) *** 69-09 “I understand Krsna has given you very good opportunity for service in Berkeley. You both together apply your full energy in organizing this center. It has very good potency and I am very glad to learn that you have got a nice house and the rent is also not very high. But ==unfortunately you have only one year's lease, so how can you install a life-size Deity there? Therefore, for the time being to install a life-size Deity may not be feasible.== * * But if you can pay $250 I will get for you from India 24” high brass * Radha-Krsna* == == Deities, one pair, for installing in Berkeley. In the meantime, I may remind you to fix up the altar exactly like Los Angeles. You have seen it personally, and I am also enclosing herewith a picture of the Los Angeles altar. I wish that this design of the altar should be followed by everyone. This Los Angeles altar has been erected under my supervision, especially the Radha-Krsna == == throne, and I would very much like to follow this idea everywhere. Get for your temple nice devotees and monetary help. I hope you will stick to this center organizing, husband and wife, and in the very near future it will be as good as our Los Angeles temple.” ([[letters/1969/690905_dr._syama_sundardas_brahmacari|Hamsaduta, 5 September, 1969]]) *** 69-11 ** ==“You have sent me one plan for constructing a dais for the Deities in which you have placed Radha-Krsna under Lord Jagannatha. Instead of putting it like this, you put Lord Caitanya's sankirtana picture underneath Lord Jagannatha, and make a separate throne for Radha-Krsna exactly on the pattern of Los Angeles temple.”== ([[letters/1969/691102_hayagriva_vamanadeva_pradyumna|Hamsaduta, 2 November, 1969]]) ==69-11 “Regarding worshiping uninstalled Deities, generally this is not done. But you can do aratis with Lord Jagannatha. He is very kind. I hope you are all chanting regularly and keeping in good spirits.”== ([[letters/1969/691111_srimati|Srimati, 11 November, 1969]]) *** 69-12 “Regarding the Radha-Krsna Murtis *:* first of all, as you are searching out a permanent place, ==the best thing== * * ==will be to install Them in that permanent place. It doesn't matter if it is on rent or purchased; but we must be confident that there== * * ==will not be disturbance by some landlord on some flimsy grounds.== **In the meantime, you can construct a nice throne as you will see it on the pictures enclosed. I have got plans for going to Japan from Los Angeles, but in case I do not go, you shall be able to install the Deities. I shall send you the instructions how to do it, if this becomes necessary. In the meantime, just prepare the preliminary things.” ([[letters/1969/691209_govinda|Govinda dasi, 9 December, 1969]]) *** 70-06 “Regarding your question whether you may go to Ratha-yatra festival, yes, you may go because in your present temple the Deities are not regularly installed. So you can close the temple for a few days keeping in front of the Deities some dried fruits and a tumbler of water. ==When the Deity is installed it is called niyama-seva. That means the routine seva prescribed after installation you cannot stop.== * * But Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very kind to the fallen soul of the Kali-yuga and He is satisfied with chanting of Hare Krsna * mantra. * And for chanting the Hare Krsna * mantra * there are no hard-and-fast rules and regulations, so if you are absent for chanting Hare Krsna * mantra * somewhere else, it is as good as to chant the Hare Krsna * mantra* in the temple. Your chanting may not be stopped; it does not matter where you chant.” (SPL to Revatinandana, June 13th, 1970) 70-06 “Your proposal to open several new centers is very good news for me. However, for opening new centers Tamala and yourself must be present. There is no need of installing Deities immediately. ==New temples may be opened by placing Panca-tattva and== * * ==acarya pictures. Unless we have got sufficient experienced devotees we shall not install== * * ==Radha-Krsna or Jagannatha Deities== *.* Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very kind and lenient. Simply chanting of Hare Krsna will please Him. But when we have Deities like Radha-Krsna or Jagannatha we must strictly follow the regulative principles of *arcana.” (SPL to Hamsaduta, June 22nd, 1970) 70-07 “I do not know what Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has told you, but where there is want of *pujaris* only Panca-tattva picture should be worshipped by performance of *kirtana,* and as soon as Jagannatha or Radha-Krsna Deities are installed you will require some qualified *pujaris* immediately. ==If there is scarcity of such qualifies pujaris, each center should be satisfied only by worshiping Panca-tattva of Lord Caitanya by performance of sankirtana.”== (SPL to Damodara, July 1st, 1970) 71-09 “If there is the possibility of regular worship then you can install Jagannatha Deity. Otherwise don't do it. Not that there should be a repeat of the situation in Hamburg that the Deities were taken away ==. Unless there is a solid temple arrangement== * * ==I don't advise you to install the Deity.== * * ==Deity installation means regular worship without fail and for good.== * * Just like in Jagannatha Puri That temple was established over a thousand years ago and it is still going on. Always they have * prasadam * ready for at least a thousand people and * bhoga* is offered 56 times in a day.” (SPL to Sivananda, September 2nd, 1971) 72-05 “You have got nice Deities, now you make a nice silver throne like Los Angeles. ==Rukmini devi wants to install Caitanya Mahaprabhu, so Caitanya Mahaprabhu can be installed on the right side of Krsna, as you have seen in pictures from our Gaudiya Matha temples.== **Nityananda there is no need. Simply three compartments, Gauranga and spiritual masters in the first compartment, Radha and Krsna in the central compartment, and Lord Jagannatha in the third compartment. But if there is no room for three, then Radha-Krsna with Lord Caitanya on the right side with Them, pictures of spiritual masters below.” (SPL to Rupanuga, May 3rd, 1972) 72-09 "Yes, if there is arrangement for swinging the Deities sometimes, that is all right. Anything may be done which will be pleasing to the Lord, and He is often fond of swinging motions. You may place cows and peacocks on the altar at Montreal, that will be nice. So far I am concerned, ==I have no objection if there is carved form of guru on the Guru-Gauranga altar, but one thing is unless that sculptor is very excellent, it should not be attempted.== How will you get photos from all angles of vision for the carving process? Unless it can be done very nicely, just perfectly realistic, he should not do it. Yes, God is always there in His *arcavigraha* form, either as Krsna or Rama or Caitanya, whatever. So He must be offered all respects as if He is there personally present, and if you are always sincerely chanting and following our Krsna consciousness program of chanting and other things you will very quickly develop the eyes to see Krsna there.” ([[letters/1972/720902_lalitananda|Lalitananda, 2 September, 1972]]) *** 73-02 ** ==“Regarding the installation of Gaura-Nitai Deities, whether it be a GBC man, president, or sannyasi it does not matter. The important thing is that he be a senior qualified man. That is the most important thing.”== ([[letters/1973/730221_karandhara|Karandhara, 21 February, 1973]]) *** 73-03 ** ==“Gaura-Nitai Deities may be approved and ordered by the local temple presidents with consultation of the GBC. There should be at least three or four brahmanas available. So there is no need to delay any shipments if these qualifications are met.”== ([[letters/1973/730311_govinda|Govinda dasi, 11 March, 1973]]) ==73-03 “There is no need of adding further Deities. Once installed it cannot be changed. Do not make it childish, too much addition of Deities will encumber us.== **At first, either Panca-tattva or Gaura-Nitai Deities may be installed, taking care that there is sufficient space. There is no need to consult with me for these installations, the local president can decide whether the circumstances are opportune.” ([[letters/1973/730331_karandhara|Karandhara, 31 March, 1973]]) *** 73-10 ** ==“Regarding the Salagrama Sila, it will be installed along with the other Deities. I shall advise you. I am planning to come to Nairobi on the 19th or 20th of November for your installation program and remain there up to the end of the month when I shall start for South Africa.”== ([[letters/1973/731013_mohanananda|Cyavana Swami, 13 October, 1973]]) *** 73-12 ** ==“You should not install the Deities until you have a complete program to see that regulated worship may go on nicely. Until then, simply worship Guru and Gauranga in pictures.”== ([[letters/1973/731211_mahendra|Mahendra, 11 December, 1973]]) *** 74-04 ==“There is no question of installing more than one set of Radha-Krsna Deities. The smaller set of Radha-Krsna Deities may be set on the altar at the feet of the larger ones, as you describe. Until They are not installed.”== ([[letters/1974/740413_vrindaban|Bhakta dasa, 13 April, 1974]]) *** 74-07 “I am spending my last two days in Australia and after this I shall go to the USA. In the meantime, I wish to give you some instructions regarding our Janmastami installation in Vrndavana. The main thing is ==the ceremony shall== * * ==be conducted by our own men. We do not have to be dependent on taking help from persons who will not even eat with us, thinking us inferior.== * * All over the world, in Paris, New York, Australia, etc., our men and women are worshiping the Deity very nicely and I am very proud of their worship. There is no reason why we have to think we are dependent on any Indian Goswami in order to conduct our ceremony in Vrndavana. So you understand this and be convinced of it, and let them come as invited but we shall conduct the affair ourselves. You can also arrange to have the Govinda dramatical players and our own players as well. There should be abundant prasadam for whoever comes all day long. The kitchen should go on. So see there is sufficient stock of rice, *attar* , ghee, etc. The life members should be especially cared for and invited. We shall manage our own affairs. If they come that is good but if not we shall manage. From our side everything should be done nicely. All big officers in Mathura and Vrndavana should be invited. Goswamis and Godbrothers also. Also invite local Marwaris and invite Parthak also. Practically by distributing a general invitation card we shall invite everyone. All the inhabitants of Vrndavana will be invited to come and see the Deity and take prasadam. There should be special arrangements for life members, Mr. Birla and many other respectable visitors. There is no question of money. Let it be first-class, I-A arrangement. Krsna will provide all expenditures so try to make it gorgeous. Gorgeous means sufficient stock of *prasadam* and temple decorations as gorgeous as possible. The internal management of dressing can be done by Yamuna, Madira and Jayatirtha they are all expert. The *sastric* direction can be from Pradyumna.” ([[letters/1974/740701_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 1 July, 1974]]) *** 74-09 “I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 21st, with enclosed photographs. So Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has installed Deities. But ==without twenty devotees how you can have Deities? Your men are coming and going so why you are having Deity installation? You must have twenty devotees.== **Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, he should supply those devotees since he has authorized the installation. You can name the Deities, Radha- Muralidhara.” ([[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|Batu Gopala dasa, 7 September, 1974]]) *** 74-09 ==“There in the temple they have got now Jagannatha Deities so let them worship and do it nicely. When you have got practice and twelve brahmana devotees then Radha-Krsna can be installed.”== ([[letters/1974/740908_sarvabhauma_putanara_gandharvi|Ksirodakasayi dasa, 8 September, 1974]]) *** 74-12 “I am in due receipt of your letter dated November 5th, 1974 with enclosed plans of the newly purchased house. It all appears very wonderful. It is ==very good that the Deity is facing East. Yes, the room above the Deity should be kept vacant.== * * Yes, you can store Ratha-yatra festival gear or books there, also. The proposed pinnacle should not have * om, * but swastika or * cakra,* Krsna's weapon. So everything is nice, and I shall be glad to come for the Deity installation and temple opening in January. We shall come from Honolulu via Fiji.” ([[letters/1974/741202_madhudvisa|Madhudvisa Swami, 2 December, 1974]]) *** 75-02 ** ==“Regarding your purchasing marble Gaura-Nitai Deities, it is not necessary when you already have brass ones. Simply take care of the ones that you have very nicely. There is no need for buying others.”== ([[letters/1975/750206_brahmananda|Sri Govinda dasa, 6 February, 1975]]) ==75-08 “Regarding your questions, no, the large Deity can never be moved, not at all.”== ([[letters/1975/750821_rupanuga|Rupanuga dasa, 21 August, 1975]]) *** 75-09 * * ==“Regarding the Frankfurt temple and the Deity program, unless we have got our own building this proposal of== * * ==installing Deity should be postponed. Do not install, unless we have got our own building and the large Deities. And the Nrsimha Deity should be installed only in a separate temple building. The Deity must have its own temple== *.” ([[letters/1975/750929_gargamuni|Hamsaduta dasa, 29 September, 1975]]) *** 75-10 ** ==“You have my consent to go ahead with your plan of pratistha for Sri Sri Radha Krsna arca-vigraha. You may call Them Radha-Banabihari.== ([[letters/1975/751022_tulsi|Yamuna devi dasi, 22 October, 1975]]) *** 75-11 “I am in due receipt of your card dated October 25th, 1975, along with the beautiful photographs of Sri Sri Rukmini-Dvarakadhisa of New Dvaraka. So do it nicely. I have invited Krsna and He may not be insulted by disrespectful behavior. I have introduced this system of Deity worship amongst the non-believers, the atheists, the *mlecchas,* the *yavanas* ==and I pray to Krsna that, ’I am inviting You to come, so please, because You are seated in their hearts, please give them the intelligence how to serve You so that You may not be inconvenienced.’== I have introduced this system to the *mlecchas,* the *yavanas* and the lowest and the fallen, but still it is successful. I think that you are doing nicely.” ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Jayatirtha dasa and Manjuali dasi, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 76-01 “As far as your desire to have Sita-Rama Deities, it is a good idea, but you should wait for some time. First see that you have sufficient *brahmanas* who are very well trained and qualified, then you can consider to install Sita, Rama, Laksmana, and Hanuman. They are the ideal King and it will be very suitable that They reign over the capital of America. ==Now you have got Gaura-Nitai Deities so you can go ahead and get Prabhupāda and Bhaktisiddhanta Deities immediately. Guru and Gauranga worship is standard for all our temples.”== ([[letters/1976/760107_madhudvisa|Brsakapi, 7 January, 1976]]) *** 76-01 “The photos of my *murti* are very nice. ==The murti of the spiritual master should be treated as good as the Deity== *—saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih, kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya.* The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the *sastras.* The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. ==So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All temples can have this Deity if they like. But temples which have only== * * ==Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity.== * * You should make a *murti* of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krsna-Balarama temple. They should be placed with Gaura-Nitai-Guru-Gauranga.” ([[letters/1976/760129_karandhara|Karandhara, 29 January, 1976]]) *** 76-04 “I am here in your temple, I'm feeling your separation. But, I'm seeing everything is going nicely, the same as when it was under your management. The devotees here, they are jumping and dancing very nicely. You can also establish the *kirtana* hall on the farm and install Gaura-Nitai Deities. ==Gaura-Nitai can be established anywhere, and it is simple to worship Them. Simply chant before Their Lordships. He doesn't mind that you have not decorated very nicely, but if you chant and dance, He is very pleased.”== ([[letters/1976/760421_puranjana|Madhudvisa Maharaja, 21 April, 1976]]) *** 76-05 “My dear disciples, Please accept my blessings. ==I have consented that when and if a new set of Panca-tattva Deities are installed== * * ==in the Hawaii temple, the old set of Panca-tattva Deities may be given to Govinda dasi.== * * Please comply with this at the said time, as Govinda dasi would like to worship these Deities if new Deities are installed in the temple.” ([[letters/1976/760509_trivikrama|temple president and GBC for Hawaii, 9 May, 1976]]) *** 76-06 ** ==“Concerning the installation ceremonies, it is approved that you get some leading Ramanuja pandits from South India. The Vrndavana pandits were useless. But one thing. Along with the pandits, our men should also join in.”== ([[letters/1976/760612_mahamsa|Mahamsa Maharaja, 12 June, 1976]]) *** 76-10 ==“Do not install Gaura-Nitai Deities until sufficient men are there to take proper care of Them.”== ([[letters/1976/761014_sriman_bajaji|Yasomatinandana Prabhu, 14 October, 1976]]) *** 77-01 ** ==“When the property is secured, then you can install the Deities. Otherwise, don't take the risk.”== ([[letters/1977/770104_balavanta|Balavanta, 4 January, 1977]]) *** 77-01 “It is nice that you are enthusiastically engaged in New York. ==I have no objection to your worshiping my murti for guru-puja. But for placing in the temple there must be a pair of murtis, (my Guru Maharaja must be there) * * as in Krsna-Balarama Mandira, and they must be permanently installed. This may be done in accord with the temple authorities. Or else you may worship one * murti* of myself privately in your room.” ([[letters/1977/770113_sudama|Sudama, 13 January, 1977]]) ## Cleanliness and Punctuality Standards 69-02 ==“You can keep the curtains of the Deity room open during kirtana.” ([[letters/1969/690220_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 20 February, 1969]]) *** 69-02 ==“So far as bowing down in Deity worship, before opening the door you should bow down. Then turn on the light and bow down again. There is no restriction on bowing down.== * * As many times as you can is all right. Of course, your clothes and under garments should always be as clean as possible. Guests and devotees need not be wearing woolen robes to be dancing around the Deities. Regarding your question about guests being present at * arati,* you should have as many guests there as is possible for you to get to come.” ([[letters/1969/690221_hansadutta|Hamsaduta, 21 February, 1969]]) *** 69-09 “Regarding *murtis,* you will have to prepare a nice altar and throne. The LA temple has done it very nicely, and I am sending herewith the specific design in picture. So your next business will be to construct a throne and altar, and as soon as they are ready, the Deities will also be received, and maybe I shall go and install Them. But ==when the Deities are installed in the temple, you have to take personal care. Deity worship is very regulative. You have to follow the regulative principles very rigidly.== **I shall be glad to know how many initiated members are there in Montreal, so I can chalk out the program for Radha-Krsna Deity worship there.” ([[letters/1969/690903_gopala_krsna|Gopala Krsna, 3 September, 1969]]) *** 69-11 “Just now they have got four days engagement in Germany. More than one half dozen devotees have gone there now, and they will also install the Radha-Krsna Murtis. They have taken the Murtis there with them. What did you do with the Murtis you received from Calcutta? Are they being worshipped regularly as I showed you during my stay at your place? ==Radha-Krsna seva should be done very nicely, and all the members should always be cleansed.== ” ([[letters/1969/691120_gaurasundara|Gaurasundara, 20 November, 1969]]) ==70-01 “If prasadam is to be honored in the temple room, the curtains may be drawn before the Deities, while the devotees are taking prasadam. The best arrangement is to honor prasadam in a separate room for the purpose, if possible.”== (SPL to Yamuna, January 16th, 1970) ==70-01 “Regarding Deity worship, I am very much anxious to know how things are going on, who is taking care of the Deities, whether regular performances are being executed etc. I hesitated to install the Deities when I was in Germany on this account. Anyway, when the Deities are now installed there cannot be any scope of neglecting Them, that will be a great offense.”== ([[letters/1970/700124_brahmananda|Krsna dasa, 24 January, 1970]]) ==70-02 “There is no harm if the devotees chant in the temple during the time when the Deities are resting. You may have heard that here at LA temple they are holding kirtana and chanting twenty four hours in the temple, and the program is very encouraging to all the devotees. Of course, that is only possible in a very large center such as LA.”== ([[letters/1970/700227_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 27 February, 1970]]) ==70-03 “== Deity worship means to be very, very clean. You should try to bathe twice daily. The Deities should never be approached without having bathed first and changed to clean clothes after passing stool, etc. Keep teeth brushed after each meal, fingernails clean and trim. Be sure that your hands are clean before touching anything on the altar or the Deities. And cleanse the Deity room, altar, and floor daily thoroughly. Shine the various *arati* paraphernalia after *arati.* This is described in the booklet for *pujaris* written by Silavati dasi. ==The idea is summit cleanliness—that will satisfy Krsna.”== ([[letters/1970/700320_rukmini|Rukmini, 20 March, 1970]]) ==70-04 “To make noise in front of the Deity means talking nonsense or indulging in useless topics of conversation. Chanting of Hare Krsna== ** ==mantra is never prohibited. In The Nectar of Devotion you will find all these prohibitions and try to follow them.”== ([[letters/1970/700417_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 17 April, 1970]]) ==70-04 “== I am very glad to know that you are engaged as *pujari* there. Try to learn this art of *arcana* very nicely. You can consult in this connection Himavati, Yamuna and also Silavati. I * * wish that all our girl devotees be expert in the matter of * arcana* and cooking. The temple and altar should be always very clean and decorated with flowers and incense. ==We shall touch the Deity altar and Deity in very clean condition, after taking bath and washing mouth nicely. Practice washing hands after eating and wash with soap and water after toilet. Cleanliness is next to godliness, so this point should be very carefully observed,== then you will advance very quickly to the perfectional stage of Krsna consciousness.” (SPL to Kancanbala, April, 1970) *** 70-06 “Regarding your question whether you may go to Ratha-yatra festival, yes, you may go because in your present temple the Deities are not regularly installed. So you can close the temple for a few days keeping in front of the Deities some dried fruits and a tumbler of water. ==When the Deity is installed it is called niyama-seva. That means the routine seva prescribed after installation you cannot stop.== * * But Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very kind to the fallen soul of the Kali-yuga and He is satisfied with chanting of Hare Krsna * mantra. * And for chanting the Hare Krsna * mantra * there are no hard and fast rules and regulations, so if you are absent for chanting Hare Krsna * mantra * somewhere else, it is as good as to chant the Hare Krsna * mantra* in the temple. Your chanting may not be stopped; it does not matter where you chant.” (SPL to Revatinandana, June 13th, 1970) 70-06 ==“I am so glad to know that Himavati is taking such nice care of the Deities. I have seen the pictures. It is far improved than before. The more you keep the Deity room and paraphernalia clean, the more your heart becomes cleansed from dirty things.”== (SPL to Hamsaduta, June 22nd, 1970) 70-07 “So your program for training your Godsisters is very nice, so do it nicely as you have got experience in *arcana.* ==There is no matter if there is a little change here and there—the real duty is love and devotion.== **But you say that the women with children make their schedules around their children. That is the difficulty for family men, their first worshipable object becomes the children. What can be done? You are fortunate that you have got Krsna as your son.” ([[letters/1970/700726_yamuna|Yamuna, 26 July, 1970]]) *** 70-09 “Regarding Deity worship, Silavati and Yamuna devi may be considered expert, so if some new hands come and take their help, that is a good proposition. Once established, however, Deities should not be removed. We should treat the Deities as the Personality of Godhead, and to invite Him to come to your home you must worship regularly. You cannot remove. If there is scarcity of *pujaris,* then Deities should not be installed, only pictures of Guru and Gauranga should be worshiped. ==Irregularity in worshiping Guru and Gauranga can be tolerated, as They are always kind and forgiving, but irregularity in worshiping Lord Jagannatha and Sri Sri Radha-Krsna is not good.”== (SPL to Karandhara, September 19th, 1970) 70-11 * * ==“Please see that the schedule of offering is done regularly without any break. To worship the Deity or to worship Panca-tattva means that there can be no upsetting of the schedule of offerings== * .* You have seen our LA temple and how nicely the * pujaris* are doing everything. So in the same way, try and make your worship equally nice. In that way you will have the full blessings of Srimati Radharani.” (SPL to Tulasi dasa, November 9th, 1970) 70-11 ** ==“The Deity worship should be done just in the way it was carried out in my presence. You should see that such a high standard is maintained and that there are no irregularities. Irregularity means breaking the schedule. As you have mentioned those thrones that are coming, I was just thinking of them. When they are fixed up, please send me photos of them.”== (SPL to Karandhara, November 13th, 1970) 70-12 ** ==“Proper Deity worship, with all attention to cleanliness, is of the utmost importance. If you can please the Deity by your sincere service, then your temple will flourish. To be able to personally serve the Deity is a great privilege and such a person is very fortunate indeed. So you continue in this way and Krsna will surely bless you.”== (SPL to Hladinidevi, December 29th, 1970) 71-08 ** ==“Some precautionary measure should be taken to keep bugs from the altar and Deity. You cannot allow them to disturb the Deity. Best is that you try and catch them and throw them out rather than kill them, but if killing them is the only alternative, what can be done?”== (SPL to Ekayani, August 31st, 1971) 71-11 ** ==“I have always instructed that the standard of arcana worship must be kept very high, because this will insure that every other temple activity will also flourish. So I am relieved to know that now the Deities are in your care. Thank you for this.”== (SPL to Himavati, November 17th, 1971) 71-11 “Regarding Deity worship, ==the standard of Deity worship must be kept very high in all our ISKCON centers. There should be no question of decrease, only how to increase in the quality and opulence of our arcana offering.== * * To supervise this essential Krsna conscious activity requires a very fastidious person. One, who can remember everything and be very conscientious to prepare everything nicely, be timely, like that. If you are very much attracted to * pujari* work then you should be given opportunity in some one of our ISKCON temples to practice it very nicely. For that you consult with the officers and GBC.” (SPL to Badrnarayana dasa, November 18th, 1971) 71-12 ** ==“... our standard of Deity worship must be kept very high. Los Angeles is the standard, so you must make arrangements like that as far as possible.”== (SPL to Mohanananda, December 6th, 1971) 71-12 ==“I am very glad the Deity worship is going so nicely. They look very glowing, and that is very satisfying to me. “When I shall go to Los Angeles very soon, I shall take transcendental pleasure in offering my obeisances to Them.”== (SPL to Jayatirtha, 9th December, 1971*) 72-02 “Yes, you may install either the Jagannatha Deities, the Panca-tattva, or, if you are very serious to engage in Deity worship program, you may have both, according to the direction and advice of your GBC man. But ==this Deity worship is a very serious program, and it must be kept to the utmost highest standard and never allowed to be neglected.== **So if you are willing and able to initiate such program in Baltimore center, I have no objection.” (SPL to Abhirama, February 16th, 1972) 72-02 *“Dhupa-arati* may be performed in the morning if there is unusually great complaining, but it is better to hold full *arati,* but quietly, as in Bombay they play a tape-recording of myself singing *arati* softly and hold full *arati.* ==We should not try to diminish our standard of Deity worship once it has reached a certain program, and it is especially nice to wake up Radha and Krsna with full arati with everyone dancing,== but quietly.” (SPL to Upendra, February 19th, 1972) 72-04 “Upon inquiring from Hayagriva Prabhu regarding the Deity worship program at New Vrndavana, I have been assured that everything is going on nicely now, and that Radha and Krsna are receiving proper care and service. It is very good that you are feeling so much responsibility for the welfare of Their Lordships, and I hope that you will very enthusiastically engage yourself in tending to Their needs. ==Always remember that, cleanliness and promptness are two very important requirements in Diety worship.”== (SPL to Labangalatika, April 2nd, 1972) 73-01 “I am glad to hear that you are taking up the program of Deity worship very seriously. This is required. So everything should be first class as you have got full facility, just to the standard of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles I personally advised them in all the different aspects of Deity worship, so you may consult, especially with Silavati Prabhu (now in Dallas) and do the needful. One thing though, ==the Deity worship must be completely pure in terms of cleanliness and punctuality, otherwise== * * ==there will be some offense.”== (SPL to Sri Govinda dasa, 31st* , January, 1973) *** 73-02 “I am glad to hear that you are opening another workshop in Kauai for the manufacturing of the Gaura-Nitai Deities and this is a very great service to our Society and devotees. But one thing *—* You should always inform me before sending the Deities to the temples. We cannot send Them indiscriminately to anyone who has the whim of worshiping the Deities. ==We must be very, very careful as to not commit offenses in worshiping the Deities, so therefore there must be sufficient facilities and brahmanas to worship the Deity.”== ([[letters/1973/730217_govinda|Govinda dasi, 17 February, 1973]]) *** 73-10 ** ==“Wherever there are Deities there must be first-class care, arati, bhoga, cleanliness, dressing, regular classes. If this is not possible, then better to travel.”== ([[letters/1973/731012_ramesvara|Hamsaduta, 12 October, 1973]]) *** 74-05 ==“You are right when you say Deity worship must be maintained. This is most important. I know Nandarani is expert in Deity care but I think she is working with the children. Your wife is also expert, so she can maintain the sewing and Deity worship program. But the standard must always be kept up.”== (SPL to Jagadisa, 10th* May, 1974) 74-05 ==“I have seen films of the Deity worship in Nairobi and it is very gorgeous. Proper Deity worship means to be clean, punctually and nice offerings of foodstuffs. Brahmananda Swami can teach you these things.”== (SPL to Bhimadas, Krsna Das, Sanat Kumara, Nityananda, Samba and Joseph, 16th May, 1974) 74-06 ==“I want to thank you a hundred times for the excellent way you are worshiping the Deity there as I can see from the color photographs you have sent. From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha== *.* When I was six years old my father gave me a *ratha* and I was performing the Ratha-yatra in my neighborhood. And now in the Western world you are worshiping Lord Jagannatha so gorgeously and it pleases me very, very much. Thank you again for the way you are conducting the Deity worship in the Philadelphia temple. As for the Ratha Ceremony, you go on with it, I shall attend there next year. But you go on holding a splendid ceremony for the people of the city. I am sure it will be a success.” ([[letters/1974/740610_ravindra_svarupa|Ravindra Svarupa, 10 June, 1974]]) *** 74-08 * * ==“Regarding the worship of our Gaura-Nitai by women pujaris, we worship Lord Caitanya in His householder life when He was with His wife, and not as a sannyasi. So, it is all right for women to do this service.== * * But, besides this, service is spiritual and there can be no material designation. In *Bhagavad-gita* it is stated by Lord Krsna: *striyo vaisyas tatha sudras, te 'pi yanti param gatim (Bg:* 9.32 *).* The principle is that everyone who is properly initiated and following the rules and regulations can worship. This activity is not on the material platform. ==According to the smarta-vidhi, women cannot touch Deity during menstrual period but the gosvami-vidhi allows. But it is better not to do it. One thing is that the seva can never be stopped for any reason. This also for the cooking.”== ([[letters/1974/740813_madhudvisa|Amsu dasa, 13 August, 1974]]) *** 74-12 “The pictures of your newly installed Deities are very, very nice and you can name Them Sri Sri Radha-Madan-Mohan. The Deity worship should be done very carefully and nicely, *sri-vigraharadhana-nityanana-srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau, yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato'pi, vande guroh sri-caranaravindam.* You should make sure that there is a nice *arati* program, six *aratis* daily at least. ==You should make sure that there is nice fresh clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of prasadam. You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only== * * ==by the duly second-initiated brahmanas. The Deity should have nice flowers everyday, etc. etc.== * * You should try to bring Them up to the highest standard, such as we have in Los Angeles or New Vrndavana. Sri Sri Radha-Madan-Mohan have kindly descended in Their *arca-vigraha* form now you must receive Them with that consciousness. And by serving Them you will all develop pure love of Krsna.” ([[letters/1974/741219_bahudak|Bahudaka, 19 December, 1974]]) *** 74-12 “I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 12, 1974 and have noted the contents carefully, along with the photographs and installation souvenir. I thank you very much for your kind donation of $100.00. Your report is very encouraging and I was very, very happy to see the wonderful photographs of your installation ceremony there. That installation was very, very auspicious. From the photographs it appeared so nice and Vedic. I was looking at those photographs again and again. Such a wonderful ceremony. So now ==you must see that the== * * ==service to your Deities will go on very nicely. You should make it first-class, just like in our Los Angeles and New Vrndavana centers.== * * You have a very nice temple room there and now Radha and Krsna have come. So you must treat Them very nicely. Then many, many devotees will be attracted by the *bhakti.” ([[letters/1974/741228_kurusrestha|Kurusrestha, 28 December, 1974]]) *** 74-12 “As for fixing up the Deity house in Dallas with marble altars, this is not necessary for now. We shall see later on. For the time being organize the health, education and care of the children and continue the Deity worship as it is going nicely now. ==Deities are satisfied with bhakti not marble. Therefore try to increase the bhakti.”== ([[letters/1974/741228_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 28 December, 1974]]) ==75-05 “Actually, one should not circumambulate when the Deity is open. It is stated in The Nectar of Devotion. I think you can close the doors to the Deity room during Tulasi puja and then open them again afterwards.”== ([[letters/1975/750531_hansadutta|Kīrtanānanda Swami, 31 May, 1975]]) *** 75-06 ** ==“Generally it is not good for the women with babies to worship the Deity, because a baby means uncleanliness. You have to touch the baby and there is so much dirtiness, so how can you remain sanctified? But if you are doing it nicely, then it is okay. But, if you have to take care of the baby, then it is not good.”== ([[letters/1975/750623_laksmimoni|Laksmimoni, 23 June, 1975]]) *** 75-09 ** ==“Only on Sunday can you keep the Deity curtains open throughout the afternoon.”== ([[letters/1975/750929_gargamuni|Hamsaduta dasa, 29 September, 1975]]) *** 76-05 “You can call your farm, Talavana. Concerning constructing a temple at the farm, it is feasible only if you have sufficient *brahmanas* to take nice care, otherwise no. You have seen our Vrndavana temple, also the temple in Melbourne and Los Angeles. So things must be at this standard in order to have a temple. ==The standard must be very high. Neatness== * * ==and cleanliness are the first business of temple worship.== * * I shall see later on whether or not that Krsna-Balarama can be installed there. You cannot paint the Deity with paint to make bluish. ==Don't manufacture ideas. What is standard you must follow. Don't make it a farce.”== ([[letters/1976/760504_nityananda|Nityananda, 4 May, 1976]]) *** 77-04 ==“Why do these life members not come on time to see the Deity? Yes, in special cases you can open the curtain for a moment. But they should be instructed next time to come at the correct time to properly respect the Deity. The best thing will be if you immediately send a printed schedule to all of the life members showing what are the times of darsana.”== ([[letters/1977/770429_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 29 April, 1977]]) ## Dressing, Bathing, Decorating, and Worshiping 67-12 ** ==“Regarding beautifying the temple, we should always know that every place is temporary, but wherever we live we should decorate and beautify it for Krsna, so go on decorating our temple as nicely as possible.”== ([[letters/1967/671207_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 7 December, 1967]]) *** 67-12 * * ==“Regarding smearing on the body of Lord Jagannatha you should always know that the body of Lord Jagannatha is spiritual. We are given the chance of serving the spiritual body== * * and according to the revealed scriptures we should serve the transcendental body of the Deity just as we try to serve our worshipable personalities. To continue a sense of devotion, it is better to wash the body of Lord Jagannatha with hot water so that we may have the feeling that Lord Jagannatha is more comfortable.” (Madhusudana, 28 December, 1967) *** 68-01 ==“You do not need to lay down Lord Jagannatha on a bed, by mantra you say, ’My dear Lord, please take rest.’ In temples, there are two sets of Deities, the big set is always on the throne and the smaller set is handled, taken out for a stroll, laid to bed, etc. There is no difference in the small and large set of course.”== (SPL to Rupanuga, January, 1968) *** 70-02 “ ==So far putting kohl on the eyes of the Deities that is not required.”== ([[letters/1970/700210_ekayani|Ekayani, 10 February, 1970]]) *** 71-10 ** ==“Enclosed you will find one photograph of the Deities there in Los Angeles recently sent to me. Why is Krsna without a flute? What is the difficulty to make for Krsna a flute? You can take a twig and wrap it in golden lace with a pearl drop hanging. That is a flute; how long it takes to make? Nothing should be concocted; not that a flower in place of a flute.”== (SPL to Karandhara. 3rd October, 1971) 72-09 ** ==“Yes, if there is arrangement for swinging the Deities sometimes, that is all right. Anything may be done which will be pleasing to the Lord, and He is often fond of swinging motions. You may place cows and peacocks on the altar at Montreal, that will be nice.”== (SPL to Lalitananda. 2nd September, 1972) 68-06 “Yes, please decorate Jagannatha with very attractive nice clothing and ornaments, helmets, as brightly and magnificently as possible. The sample of decorating Jagannatha is already instructed to Harsarani, and in that way you can make arrangements. There shall be sufficient flower garlands for Them daily also. ==The decoration should be so attractive that people, when seeing== * * ==Jagannatha== * * ==will forget all the attractiveness of== * * ==maya. Then it will be successful and actually, this is the process of decorating Jagannatha.== * * Our eyes are attracted by the beauty of *maya,* but if our eyes are attracted by the beauty of Krsna, the Jagannatha, then there is no more chance of our being attracted by *maya.* In other words, when seeing Jagannatha nicely decorated, we become freed from the clutches of *maya.” (SPL to Yamuna, June, 1968) *** 68-08 “Now, regarding your question: ==’What is the difference between Jagannatha Deities and Krsna murti and why is the latter not fed and cared for as well as the former and why are the Jagannathas more tolerant?’== Krsna means Himself, and all His expansions, different expansions. So sometimes Krsna appears as Vasudeva, sometimes as Sankarsana, sometimes as Jagannatha, sometimes as Lord Caitanya, sometimes as Rama, so all such different incarnations includes the name Krsna. So Jagannatha is another feature of Krsna, and He is especially favorable to the people who are not strictly advanced to the *brahminical* culture of Vedic rituals. Lord Jagannatha is situated in India, at Puri and this place is one of the towns of Orissa province. The people of Orissa and Bengal, they are sometimes fish eaters, why sometimesabout 90% of the population they are fish eaters. But Jagannatha Swami in Puri, He accepts service from these people although they are sometimes fish eaters. So in the Kali-yuga, the people are supposed to be not so clean, and therefore, service to Jagannatha Swami is preferred. So far service to Laksmi-Narayana and Radha-Krsna, it requires highly elevated position, transcendental to *brahmanas.* But still, either we serve Jagannatha or Radha-Krsna, the effect is the same. But to facilitate the worship of the Lord in the form of Jagannatha is more congenial than others. But when anything is offered to Jagannatha, it does not mean that it is not taken by Krsna. So in the temple, although we offer to Jagannatha, it is also accepted by Krsna. Be rest assured of this fact.” ([[letters/1968/680824_nandarani|Dayananda and Nandarani, 24 August, 1968]]) *** 68-11 “The clothing is already painted on the Jagannathas, even there is no cloth. And even Krsna is naked, that does not make any difference. But when we dress Him, our service is appreciated. ==From Krsna's side, naked or dressed,== * * ==He is Krsna. And from our side, if we nicely dress Krsna and nicely feed Him, He is appreciating our service and we are certainly benefited== * .* Krsna is the same; He does not require us to dress Him, or feed Him, etc., but the more I serve by dressing, feeding and caring for Him, He appreciates the service, and I become more Krsna conscious,” (SPL to Satsvarupa, November 14th, 1968) 68-11 * * ==“Please offer my blessings to all the devotees there, especially== * * ==Harsarani, who I understand is cooking very nicely for the love feast. She is a nice decorator of the Deity and a nice cook also for preparing Krsna prasadam.”== ([[letters/1968/681121_joy_fulcher|Joy Fulcher, 21 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 * * ==“Yesterday my Deities were dressed with the clothing you made and it appears so nice.== * * I do not know whether you have time to make similarly a few other sets. It will be very nice. I know that you are the most expert in making dresses than all others so therefore I request you that you may make at least two or three sets of dresses as you have already made.” (SPL to Himavati, 30th November,* 1968) 68-12 ** ==“Please convey my thanks to Satyabhama for her nice work in sewing the clothes for my Deities. These Deities will require several more sets of such excellent dresses so Satyabhama or yourself may supply as you are able.”== ([[letters/1968/681212_himavati|Himavati, 12 December, 1968]]) *** 68-12 “Deity worship is for such persons who have ample time. The thing is Deity worship is compulsory, and you can increase if you have got time to do *so.* But *mangala-arati* is essential (morning *arati) and * sandhya-arati (evening *arati) offering * of prasada* to the Deity is essential. And ==nice dress, decorating the Deity with sweet-smelling flowers, colorful and very opulent dresses, jewels, incense, etc., to make Them very brilliant and attractive, that is real Deity worship.”== ([[letters/1968/681214_jadurani|Jadurani, 14 December, 1968]]) ==69-01 “So far as placing the Radha-Krsna and Lord Jagannatha Deities in special order to one another, there is no set ruling. Simply make the altar look very attractive.”== (SPL to Brahmananda, 9th January,* 1969) 69-01 “Regarding your question about why we dress the Deities in very opulent fashion and not as simple cowherds boy and girl, this is an intelligent question and the answer is that according to the regulative principles we cannot worship Radha-Krsna now. ==Radha-Krsna== * * ==worship is meant for persons who have already developed spontaneous love of God. In the training period we are only worshiping Laksmi-Narayana.== We worship Radha-Krsna because Laksmi-Narayana is there also, but actually we are not worshiping Radha-Krsna with our present Deity ceremonies; we are worshiping Laksmi-Narayana. Narayana is there when Krsna is there, but actually we do not worship Radha-Krsna in Their original form. This is why we should worship Radha-Krsna in Their Laksmi-Narayana feature with all respect and reverence. If we deviate from this standard then we shall be * prakrta-sahajiya,* or a person who takes things very cheap. We worship Laksmi-Narayana and because Radha-Krsna includes Laksmi-Narayana there is no necessity of installing a Laksmi-Narayana Deity. It is just like a king who is engaged in administering justice. Actually that business belongs to the justice department. But what is the justice department? It is all part of the king's energy, and the king also has the power to execute this function.” ([[letters/1969/690124_madhusudana|Madhusudana, 24 January, 1969]]) *** 69-02 “Actually, although Radha-Krsna is worshipped in Vrndavana which is like a simple village, but we worship Laksmi-Narayana and the worship is accepted by the Radha-Krsna Deity. Actually, ==in our present status we cannot worship Radha-Krsna.== * * ==But as all the Visnu== * * ==murtis are situated in Krsna== *,* ==therefore our Radha-Krsna== * * ==worship is transferred to Visnu,== * * ==Lord Narayana.== Visnu worship is the regulative devotional principles, and Radha-Krsna worship is spontaneous service of eternal feelings. Therefore, as Laksmi-Narayana is the Deity of great opulences, similarly our Radha- Krsna *murtis* should be worshipped with great pomp and dignity. Krsna will give you the proper intelligence to do this very nicely. So far as prayers, you may sing *Hare Krsna, Govinda jaya jaya* and *Govindam adi-purusam.” ([[letters/1969/690212_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 12 February, 1969]]) *** 69-02 “So far as the Deities are concerned, this has been discussed many times, so just do it nicely using your best judgement to make Them like the Deities which are there in New York with you as far as possible. ==Your idea of placing conchshell in the eyes is nice and you may do it.== **You have the perfect example of the Deities in New York, so if you can similarly make some Deities for our other centers it will be very nice accomplishment.” ([[letters/1969/690225_indira|Nara-Narayana, 25 February, 1969]]) *** 69-03 ==“No, I think it is not proper for Srimati Radharani to have a white nightdress. Best to have a nice color for Her.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, 24th March,* 1969) 69-04 ** ==“Regarding Kartikeya's question about worshiping Lord Jagannatha, He should always be worshiped with awe and reverence. Krsna's picture as a naughty child should not be treated by us as a naughty child. We should always worship Krsna as the Supreme Lord.”== ([[letters/1969/690419_upendra|Sudama and Kartikeya, 19 April, 1969]]) *** 69-07 “I am glad that your friendship with Mr. George Harrison is gradually working, so much so that he is now prepared to spend $3,000 for an altar slab and a block of bluish marble for carving Krsna or Lord Caitanya. For Lord Caitanya, yellowish marble or white marble should be used. If yellowish golden colored marble is available, that is very nice. Another thing is that ==these forms should be worshiped. Our Deity worship is not heathenism. If we keep forms of the Lord without worshiping the Deity under regulative principles it will gradually turn into idol worship which is an offense.== * * The Deity of the Lord and the Lord Himself are identical, Krsna can act through the Deity perfectly. As I have given several times the example, the mailbox can act perfectly as the post office because it is authorized. Similarly, when the Deity is installed under authorized regulative principles, the Deity is as good as Krsna Himself. So you may advise your friend on this principle.” (SPL to Syamasundara, 15th July,* 1969) 69-08 “I think you have already got the design of the throne and the measurements also. It should be 40” by 40”, and the height is 57” including the canopy. The front pillars are three on each side, and the whole throne is supported by four lion's claws. ==I shall send you very soon a real photo of the Los Angeles throne, Jagannatha altar and vyasasana. They have done it very nicely and perfectly.== **So I wish that in every center similar arrangements may be done.” ([[letters/1969/690813_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 13 August, 1969]]) *** 69-10 “Your plan for supplying the temples with nice ornaments for their Deities is also very good. ==We should decorate our temple Deities with first-class ornaments and nice flowers.== **In this temple you make a throne situated in a big closet. Just like I kept my Deities in a place where They were locked up at certain times, similarly you do the same. In this way the valuables of the Deities will be protected.” ([[letters/1969/691008_dr._sham_sundarji|Krsna dasa, 8 October, 1969]]) *** 69-11 ** ==“Regarding decoration of the Deities, that is very nice. They should always be very attractive so people who come will be attracted.”== ([[letters/1969/691120_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 20 November, 1969]]) *** 70-01 * * ==“So far colors that may be offered to the Deities, all colors may be utilized just suitable to your scheme. But black should not be used for the Deities dresses or for temple decorations.== Krsna as He is appearing in our temples is in the * kaisora * age, and the dress which I have introduced is His dress of * kaisora* age. In our temples the Deities Radha and Krsna are worshiped as Laksmi-Narayana with all the opulences of Their Majestic Lordship in Dvaraka. The worship of Radha-Krsna as They appear in Vrndavana is a very advanced stage, so we worship Them in the temples as Laksmi-Narayana. Actually there is no difference because Laksmi-Narayana is directly the expansion of Radha-Krsna. We are following the prescribed method of temple worship as it is the effective program for developing the highest perfection of pure love of Krsna.” (SPL to Yamuna, January 16th, 1970) 70-03 “I have received information from the Scindia Steam Navigation Co. * * Ltd. that the pair of Deities, 24” high, weighing about 50 kilograms the pair, will be arriving in Boston some time by the end of May 1970. They will be delivered by the New York agents of the company. The Deities will be carried by the vessel Jalapalaka. So you may note this and you have to prepare a bigger throne for accommodating the larger Deities ==. “When the large Deities are installed, the small Deities should be worshiped as vijaya-vigraha which means this pair of Deities may go outside the temple== * * in a small car as they have made in LA. This car was made by Nara-Narayana so he can give you the idea. This *vijaya-vigraha* may be taken out with *sankirtana* party not always, but conveniently. In due course of time I shall let you know the details.” ([[letters/1970/700316_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 16 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 * * ==“I am very, very glad that you are taking care of the Deities with great attention and enthusiasm.== * * Regarding your questions: the Deities should be polished before Their morning bath. Make a thick paste of fuller's earth and lime juice and rub this mixture on Their bodies and then bathe Them and then dry and buff Them with a small towel for the purpose. You can make one very nice bed and place it to the back side of the throne, and you can make night clothes. So after the last *arati* at night you can change to Their night clothes for taking rest. Because They are small Deities They may be laid on the bed with some pillows because the base may raise Their feet up. If this can be arranged it will be nice. Yes, Their crowns and jewellery should be removed both at night and while resting at noon, but wigs may stay on and Krsna should always hold His flute. It is nice if you can supply some heating arrangement for cold weather. Also different weight clothes for warmer or colder weather is good. Your idea for a thin curtain around the throne is very good. Regarding Radha-Krsna's smiling, that is not imaginationso She must smile. Let this be an impetus to your increased service. Radha-Krsna topics are for both liberated and conditioned souls, but conditioned souls should not much discuss about the loving affairs between Radha and Krsna because sometimes they misunderstand Radha and Krsna as ordinary boy and girl. So this should be discussed with advanced students, not with ordinary men. Yes, you make the throne very plush and comfortable and gorgeous like a bedroom. You are welcome for these questions, since you are engaged in Their service, you must know everything thoroughly.” ([[letters/1970/700401_himavati|Himavati, 1 April, 1970]]) *** 70-04 * * ==“I am glad to know that you are about to enlarge your altar and throne to accommodate the new Deities== * .* However, you should not put the * vyasasana * in the rear as they are doing in Los Angeles. Los Angeles has got a different arrangement than you have got in Boston temple. So you can put the * vyasasana* along the side of the temple room and that will be nice. I also think that you cannot make the same arrangement as LA, for separate doors for each of the three altars, so simply expand your present altars to fit the new Deities on the basis of the old style.” ([[letters/1970/700421_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 21 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 ** ==“Regarding whether ivory is offerable to Krsna, yes, ivory is pure. Although it is a bone of an animal, still it is as pure as the conchshell shell which is also the bone of an animal.”== ([[letters/1970/700503_ekayani|Ekayani, 3 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 ** ==“I understand that Tamala Krsna has sent you a pair of Deities and when you get Them please decorate the dais just to the standard of Los Angeles—at least the throne of Radha-Krsna, with good dresses, ornaments, helmets, etc. I understand that Japan is full of flowers, so every day decorate the Deities with as many flowers as possible.”== (SPL to Sudama, no date available) 70-06 ** ==“I have received your pictures and the Deity's pictures look very nice, but I think you should decorate the Deities with more flowers. Krsna belongs to the village atmosphere of Vrndavana and He is very fond of flowers. I think in Germany the flowers are very expensive, so as far as possible try to increase the quantity of flowers.”== (SPL to Himavati, June 13th, 1970) 70-06 “Regarding Lord Jagannatha, it is all right to install Him as you propose with fire ceremony. Bathe Him with water and milk mixed and scented, accompanied by chanting Hare Krsna *mantra.* Regarding the picture of Radha-Krsna in Vrndavana, if it is a nice picture, then it can be hung elsewhere on the wall, and ==the backdrop to the Deities' throne may be painted simply Vrndavana woods—that will be very nice.”== (SPL to Himavati, June 13th, 1970) 70-06 ** ==“Regarding the arrangement of the Deities on the altar, the arrangement here in the Los Angeles temple is: Guru-Gauranga, Radha-Krsna, Jagannatha. Gargamuni has taken some pictures of the temple room and I shall send a copy to you when they are printed. So make the altar very gorgeous according to your facilities there. That will be nice.”== ([[letters/1970/700622_vamanadeva|Vamanadeva, 22 June, 1970]]) *** 71-01 ** ==“I have received the pictures enclosed by you of the very nice altar in your old temple at Beverly Street. It attracts, that is its qualification. So make your new altar at Gerrard Street just as attractive.”== (SPL to Jagadisa, January 16th, 1971) ==71-05 “Deity worship can be learned at not less than ten years by children. Before that they can assist. They can learn how to bow down, how to dance and chant, how to make garlands, clean arati utensils, etc. In this way they can be engaged. These are also different parts of Deity worship.”== (SPL to Laksmimoni, May 1st, 1971) 71-05 “Yes, at least once daily the Deitys’ clothes must be changed, in the morning. If the Deities are small, as They appear to be from the photograph, then They can be laid down in a bed at night. And They can be given nightgowns to wear before taking rest. That is nice. If there is time and facility then these things can be implemented. ==So far as bathing is concerned, it requires two hands and one tongue.== * * In your left hand be ringing a bell and simultaneously with your right hand pour water. Chant * Hare Krsna, Cintamani, Govinda ]aya ]aya,* etc., like that. So far as touching the Deity, this is possible only in a big temple with big Deities, not in a small temple. In big temples like Jagannatha Puri the devotees circumambulate and sometimes touch the lotus feet of the Lord, but in a small temple that is not possible. If you need help in caring for Tulasi devi, you can write to Govinda dasi in Hawaii for instruction.” ([[letters/1971/710501_laksmimoni|Laksmimoni, 1 May, 1971]]) *** 71-05 “The jewellery offered to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda should be very carefully set and kept in a secure place. ==There is no question of animal bone.== * * ==As I have already told you, ivory jewels, conchshell and cow dung are all pure. Everything is pure when employed in the service of the Lord.== * * Just like the *mrdanga khol* is made of skin and still it is held as pure. If you want more *karatalas* and *mrdangas,* you can contact Jayapataka Swami here in Calcutta. So coral and mother-of-pearl are all right. Many Deities are made of coral.” (SPL to Govinda dasi, May 28th, 1971) 71-11 “And Krsna has made Himself available in the form of very nice brass *murtis* for Washington DC. It is not necessary also that Lord Jagannatha come along. Sometimes He is misunderstood also. The Deities can be installed in a temple and then taken for traveling. That will be best. So far Silavati's other questions: The large brass Deities can be bathed the same as the small ones if They can be handled easily. Cooking can go on after the Deities’ plate is made. Without offering to the Deity nobody can be supplied, but after the offering if there are so many men and more is required then how can it be stopped? In Vrndavana, *dhupa* is offered without a flower sometimes, but either way is all right. If a flower can be offered, then that is nice. ==Generally sandalwood paste is offered on the forehead, but on other parts of the body is all right. Kumkum powder should be offered on the feet.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, November 6th, 1971) 71-12 “The schedule to be followed in worshiping the Deity is as follows. Morning *arati* may be performed at 4.30 until 5 am. Then immediately following, the Deity room should be washed clean and the dirty utensils removed. Then everyone can chant before the Deity until 6.30. The Deity should then be bathed and dressed and fresh flowers put on. ==It should not take longer than one hour to bathe and dress the Deity if one actually knows how it is done. But it may take longer so you may offer the bhoga at 8.00.== * * The idea of bathing the Deity after offering * bhoga* is not correct. So please follow this schedule as I have advised.” (SPL to Jayapataka Maharaja, December 26th, 1971) 71-12 * * ==“Regarding your questions, there is no question of using paper plastic fruits and flowers for worshiping the Deities. If no fresh fruits or flowers are available, then you can decorate with some fresh leaves.== * * You have seen our temples, nowhere do we use such things. You are experienced devotee, why you propose like that? We are not after decoration, we are after devotional service for pleasing Krsna's senses. Decoration must be there of course, to make the temple as opulent as possible for pleasing Krsna. Outside the temple, you can use the plastic ornaments. But not for worship. For daily worship there must be fresh fruit, flowers and leaves.” (SPL to Himavati, December 26th, 1971) 72-02 * * ==“Regarding the Panca-tattva Deities, the pictures you have sent are very nice. Because They live in Bengal, dhoti, shirt and chaddar are the standard dress,== * * and if They are dressed in this style with different colors, that is nice. They should normally always be dressed in *dhoti,* but if occasionally you dress Them in skirt dress outfit, that can be also. They may all five wear jewellery, why not?” (SPL to Govinda dasi, February 12th, 1972) 72-03 “So far putting the Deities to sleep, there are some *mantras,* but whether in Sanskrit or English, the purport is the same. So, just like you are dealing with your beloved master, ==you can meditate,== * * ==’Dear Sir, it is time for You to come and take your rest now. Please come.’ Then you should chant Gayatri mantra. They may be awakened in the afternoon with the same method== * * that is used in the morning.” (SPL to Jagadisa, March 27th, 1972) 72-05 “I have heard from Srimati dasi that she has purchased your Deities in Jaipura and They are being shipped to you from Bombay. ==Now I want the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna to be very seriously undertaken by you, and try to see They are always satisfied in every way. This is the ultimate in arcana worship,== so the standard must be the highest. Kindly certify this will go on at the highest standard.” (SPL to Bhagavan dasa, May 12th, 1972) ==72-06 “The Deity program must be improved very gorgeously. Flower garlands should be expanded, and all expenditures for the Deities must be expanded without any miserly contemplation.== Our temple should be so gorgeously decorated that we shall excel all Bombay temples. This is my idea. Try to fulfill it. When they hear that we decorate our Deities so gorgeously, people will throng, and on festival days, especially, like Janmastami, Jhulana Yatra, etc. So four or five devotees should be always engaged in Deity worship.” (SPL to Giriraja, June 8th, 1972) 72-06 “Now organize the temple very nicely and request tourists to come in, and with many flowers you can decorate the whole hall with flowers and it will be very much attractive. You can make a signboard that says, ’Guests are requested to offer a flower to the Deity.’ The flower market is nearby and any gentleman will bring flowers, and you can give them *prasadam.* ==A== ** ==gorgeous temple means many flowers, beautiful decorations, and prasadam distribution. Some sort of kirtana must go on continuously.== Further, chanting sixteen rounds must be completed, that is our spiritual strength.” ([[letters/1972/720616_tribhuvanatha|Tribhuvanatha, 16 June, 1972]]) *** 72-06 “I am in due receipt of your letters of 17th and 25th March, 1972, and shall answer as follows: 1) There is no question of bathing Caitanya Deity. Of course He is bathed many times daily by Hare Krsna *mantra,* but for bathing of such Deities requires *Salagrama Sila,* and I have not introduced yet, but I shall do so later. Of course you should always cleanse Him with dry or damp cloth from time to time, but no daily bathing process is recommended by me for the time being. 2) You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krsna. 3)Deities should be changed in early morning, after mangala-arati, before noon offering, and before sayana-arati They should be put in Their fine dress.== 4) The Govardhana rock should be returned to Mt. Govardhana as soon as possible. I am very glad that you are doing such a nice service by worshiping Radharani and Krsna so nicely and giving Them so many nice clothes and ornaments and taking such nice care, so now I am very much relieved to know everything is going well in Calcutta during my absence. Now you make Mayapur into a gorgeous palace for Radha and Krsna, and I shall come there immediately and sit down there permanently to stay by Them. Hoping this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher.” (SPL to Palika devi dasi, aprox. 1972) ==72-06 “I== ** ==thank you very much for the nice flower garland you have sent, and the nice fragrance is very pleasing. Beautiful flowers are compared to Krsna smiling”== (SPL to Balavanta, June 17th, 1972) ==72-07 “Worship of Radha-Krsna Deities is the ultimate pinnacle of Deity worship, and it must be done with the utmost caution and attention to every detail of giving opulent service.== I am not recommending more temples to install Radha-Krsna Deities until I have become more convinced that they can properly manage. At least five to ten persons must be engaged full time to worship Radha-Krsna properly, and for any small temple that is especially a detrimental factor to maintaining the highest standard in other temple activities, because there are not enough men. You may worship Lord Jagannatha, or if you like to install Guru-Gauranga, Gaura-Nitai, or simply Gaura Deity, He is also very liberal and will forgive and tolerate any service offered to Him even by Jagai and Madhai.” ([[letters/1972/720703_gunagrahi|Gunagrahi, 3 July, 1972]]) ==72-10 “As for bathing the Deities in milk from time to time, that is not required. The smarta or caste brahmanas they think if someone inattentively touches the Deity it becomes impure, so they bathe. But that is not needed by us, only when they are installed.”== ([[letters/1972/721027_aksayananda|Kīrtanānanda, 27 October, 1972]]) ==72-11 “So far your question is concerned should the Jagannatha Deity be bathed with water, that is not necessary. They should be washed once in a year, that is sufficient, fifteen days before Rathayatra. That is called snana-yatra ceremony. Otherwise if you bathe, that will damage the wood.”== ([[letters/1972/721118_madhumangala|Madhumangala, 18 November, 1972]]) *** 72-12 “So far painting of the Deity, it will not be necessary to bring Muralidhara from New York just for that purpose. We should not be so hasty to make such drastic programs. ==Radha and Krsna are transcendental to such artistic work, They do not depend upon our painting of Them for Their beauty. But They should be painted as nicely as possible if there is at present some deterioration of the painting.== But I think someone is there, either in London or some other place in Europe, who can do the work perfectly well.” ([[letters/1972/721231_dhananjaya|Dhananjaya, 31 December, 1972]]) ==73-01 “You have asked me several questions about the Deity worship in Los Angeles, so I shall answer them one after another: Your first question, shall Srimati Radharani's feet be showing, the answer is no, they should never be seen. Krsna's feet, however, should be showing.”== ([[letters/1973/730104_dhruvananda|Dhruvananda, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-01 ** ==“I do not know when I have said to anyone that Krsna should not wear anything black color, nor I know where I have given any permission to wear black color, but there is no harm if sometimes Krsna dresses something black. Sometimes in Vrndavana they dress Him in black.”== ([[letters/1973/730104_dhruvananda|Dhruvananda, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-01 ==“You may dress Lord Caitanya in the standard way, main thing is do it nicely, don't make it funny. In your Western countries Lord Caitanya should be entirely covered, He should not appear bare-chested.”== ([[letters/1973/730104_dhruvananda|Dhruvananda, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-01 ** ==“Why you are pouring water over the head of Radha and Krsna Deities? Big Deities should not be bathed in this way, using water or other things. Rather They are bathed daily by mantra, do you not know these things? Under no circumstances shall we bathe the Jagannatha Deities with anything water or liquid, They should be bathed with mantra also.”== ([[letters/1973/730104_dhruvananda|Dhruvananda, 4 January, 1973]]) ==73-01 “Yes, that is correct, the Deities should never be bathed with water or something like that. Always bathe Them with the mantra process. Of course the big Deities should be bathed daily! Should not the Supreme Personality of Godhead, if He is recommending to us as brahmanas to bathe so many times, should He not also take bath?”== ([[letters/1973/730105_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 5 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 ** ==“The Deities should be facing east.”== ([[letters/1973/730218_gurudasa|Kīrtanānanda, 18 February, 1973]]) *** 73-02 ** ==“The proper method of dressing Jagannatha is as a ksatriya king and there is no limit to the opulence you can give Him.”== ([[letters/1973/730219_kirtika|Kirtika devi dasi, 19 February, 1973]]) *** 73-03 “Yes, you have my sanction for installing the new Deities with the cooperation of Karandhara and/or Sudama Maharaja (I think he is there on the West coast). They know how to do it. ==The more you can decorate the Deities soberly, not fanatically, the more you become decorated with all honors== *.* At the present moment, civilized man has forgotten how to decorate, therefore this miniskirt *—* the business of the trees *—* to remain naked. Human being means to be decorated, like Krsna is decorated, not naked.” ([[letters/1973/730304_trai|Bhakta dasa, 4 March, 1973]]) *** 73-06 ** ==“Yes, it is all right, Gaura-Nitai may wear turbans as well as crowns. You ask what They may wear in the evening—They can wear different dresses or night clothing just as Krsna is dressed. Make a small symbolical bed and give Them rest in that way. Bathe the Deities mentally by mantra and not by pouring upon Them.”== ([[letters/1973/730620_gunagrahi|Gunagrahi, 20 June, 1973]]) *** 73-12 “Today we received a newsletter from Syamasundara Prabhu regarding gems and I assume every center received the same letter. I discussed the contents with Srila Prabhupāda and His Divine Grace instructed me to immediately issue the following letter: First of all, Srila Prabhupāda never sanctioned or encouraged this program of buying or selling jewels. Furthermore, ==Srila Prabhupāda does not want us to purchase jewels or gems for decorating the Deities in our temples. Expensive gems and jewellery will only attract thieves and rogues.== **It was because of the jewels in Indian temples that the Mohammedans invaded India, destroying the Deities in the temples and plundering the jewels. In previous ages when the people were honest and pious kings maintained law and order, then the Deities in temples were decorated with costly jewels but in this age it is not advised. Srila Prabhupāda said, *’Bhakti* does not depend upon seeing the Deity with jewellery *—* it is a different matter. We worship the Deity by strictly observing the rules and regulations of Deity worship *—* not by decorating with jewellery. Jewels will not attract anyone except thieves and rogues. People will be attracted by our preaching. I don't advise the temple to purchase jewellery. Do not expose the Deity to this danger. I am not in favor of this.’ Furthermore, ’Purchasing jewels means increased anxiety only. It is not the days for this practice. I do not advise buying or selling jewellery.’ In addition to thieves and rogues there is risk that even our own men may fall victim to stealing. Prabhupāda said, ’Our men are coming from outside with so many bad habits and the stealing mentality is there. We are trying to reform, but if the opportunity is there, the mentality may come forward and they may fall down. We lose our money, our prestige and our students. Why expose Them in that way? No jewellery. It is not the time for that.’ In summary, purchasing jewellery for the Deities is unnecessary, dangerous and unauthorized. Prabhupāda said to write elaborately to all centers on this point. Try to understand the principle. We improve on Deity worship by regulated *puja,* purified chanting and bold and enthusiastic preaching work. Those are real ornaments with which to decorate the Lord.” (Memo to all centers, signed by Karandhara and approved by Srila Prabhupāda, December 13th, 1973) ==74-10 “I see in the photos of Gaura-Nitai They are wearing lungis, but They wear dhotis. You have made it become a lungi.”== ([[letters/1974/741016_pusta_krsna|Pusta Krsna Swami, 16 October, 1974]]) ==75-05 “In your country the Deity should not go without shirt. Gaura-Nitai may wear turbans. Nothing should be offered to Krsna unless it is prepared by the devotees themselves.”== ([[letters/1975/750528_anangamanjari|Anangamanjari devi, 28 May, 1975]]) ==75-11 “It is not at all good that the Deities do not have warm clothing for the cold weather. They are still spending so much for construction, spending, spending, but the Deities are not clothed roperly. What is this?”== ([[letters/1975/751107_madhudvisa|Nitai dasa, 7 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 “You mention about the wrist-watch given to the Deity. Was it made in Melbourne or somewhere else? Was it made in Japan? ==The dresses are made very nicely as it appears from the photographs.== Some of the dressmakers may come here to India, one or two of them. Krsna is supplying the ideas for you to take photos like this, so you will be recognized by Krsna; *sarvasya caham hrdi sannyivistho, mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca.” ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Madhudvisa Swami, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 75-11 “I thank you very much. You know how to dress and how to worship and I am very much pleased. It is a question of heart how to please Krsna. One simply has to agree to be trained up how to do it. You have done very nicely. I am very much pleased. And now you should teach others how to do it. ==This is very important business, Deity worship. The more the Deity is decorated, the more your heart will be decorated with Krsna consciousness.== This is the way for the neophyte devotee how to absorb his mind in Krsna consciousness. Never think of the Deity as made of stone or wood. Every worshipper must remember that Krsna is personally present. He is simply kindly presenting Himself before us in a way so that we can handle Him. That is His mercy, otherwise He is unapproachable: atah sri-krsna-namadi, na bhaved grahyam indriyaih,sevonmukhe hi jivadau, svayam eva sphuraty adah, No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krsna through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him. (Padma Purana)” ([[letters/1975/751110_bahudak|Jayatirtha dasa and Manjuali dasi, 10 November, 1975]]) *** 76-02 ** ==“The Panca-tattva should not have long hair. It should only come to Their shoulders as you have shown in the drawing. Please correct this.”== ([[letters/1976/760204_danavir|Sukadeva dasa, 4 February, 1976]]) *** 76-05 ** ==“Concerning the construction of a new temple for Sri Sri Radha Vrndavan Candra, our men can see how the lndian mistris are doing the work there, and they can learn the art. During the construction, the Deities can be moved to some temporary place. The worship must continue, it doesn't matter if the Deities are moved.”== ([[letters/1976/760504_kashinath_mullick|Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, 4 May, 1976]]) ==76-06 “For worshiping the Deities in Bombay, including Sita-Rama, there is absolutely no change in worship. Adopt the same method as in our Vrndavana center simply with three pujaris== * * just like in Vrndavana. They are all Visnu-tattva, Ramacandra, Radha-Krsna, Gaura-Nitai. No additional * kirtanas,* simply do exactly as in Vrndavana. I want to know what it would cost to have Kaliya-Krsna Deity (with four mermaids offering prayers, Nagapatnis), and also Radha-Krsna with Lalita and Visakha, and also Guru and Gauranga; what would be the approximate cost for production and transportation of these Deities to Fiji Island?” ([[letters/1976/760607_gargamuni|Surabhi, 7 June, 1976]]) *** 76-12 * * ==“Regarding the use of ostrich feathers, we don't find such things mentioned in the sastras, only peacock feathers. But, there is no harm. It is for dressing the Deity.”== (SPL to Adi Kesava, December 26th,* 1976) ## Cooking and Offerings (see Prasadam) Cooking and Offerings Click here to go to Prasadam ## Arati 68-08 “I am very glad to learn, Kīrtanānanda, you are feeling so much happy in serving a beautiful Jagannatha *murtis* which you have taken from Montreal. The *arati* ceremony can be performed as follows: ==The first arati ceremony is performed as you have seen in Vrndavana, at Radha Damodara temple, early in the morning, before sunrise, at least one and a half hour before sunrise.== * * The second * arati * is performed at about 8:00 in the morning, after dressing and decorating the Deity with flowers. The third * arati * is performed after offering the luncheon to the Deity. And then the fourth * arati * is performed in the evening. And the fifth * arati* is performed when the Lord goes to bed.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda, and Hayagriva, August 23rd, 1968) 68-11 ==“Arati is performed at 1 1/2 hour before sunrise to awaken the Deities. Each offering is made by moving it in 7 big circles, starting at the lotus feet of the Lord, and going clockwise round.== First of all, burning camphor or ghee (5 fires if possible) is offered in this way, slowly circling Them before the Lord. With left hand bell is being rung, and with right hand the offerings are made by circling. Next burning *dhupa* is offered. Then water is offered in a conchshell. Then a nice handkerchief is offered. Then a nice flower, as a rose. Then the Deities are offered a fan, nice peacock feather fan. And the last item is the blowing of the conchshell shell three times. Throughout *arati* there is a bell ringing, cymbals, *mrdarnga,* gong, harmonium, etc.” (SPL to Hayagriva, November 18th, 1968) 69-01 ** ==“...’When making the arati offering, is it proper to meditate on the different parts of the Lord's body?' The answer is that there is no need to meditate in that way. The Lord is actually there with you, and you are seeing all of His parts of the body, so there is no need to meditate in that way. In regard to the other questions, food should be offered before arati. In the morning, after arati, you can offer some food and then perform kirtana.”== ([[letters/1969/690125_mr._levine|Kīrtanānanda, 25 January, 1969]]) *** 69-07 * * ==“Regarding your question about offering camphor in arati, I do not know why you should be having trouble with smoke and soot by this offering.== * * If you use smaller pieces of camphor this may alleviate the problem, or perhaps you are not using the right kind of camphor. Here we are using camphor for *arati* twice daily and there is no such problem. Of course, if it is too inconvenient, there does not have to be a camphor offering, but I do not know why this should be so.” ([[letters/1969/690720_gajendra|Gajendra, 20 July, 1969]]) *** 70-02 “The Deities worshiped in the temples are Jagannatha Swami with Balarama and Subhadra and Radha-Krsna. When we first start a temple we start with Jagannatha Swami. My Guru Maharaja recommended temples of Jagannatha in these countries so I was inspired to establish first of all Jagannatha Swami because He is kind even to the *mlecchas.* Then, when there is opportunity I establish Radha-Krsna *murti.* So generally in all our temples Jagannatha Swami and Lord Caitanya *sarikirtana* pictures are invariably there and gradually we are installing Radha-Krsna *murtis* in each and every center. ==The program of the temple worship is as follows:== * * Early in the morning before sunrise there is * mangala-arati. * At 8.00 am there is dressing and decorating of the altar daily. Then, between 11.30 and 12.00 noon * bhoga-arati. * At 5.00 pm opening of the door and * dhupa-arati * as well as * vaikalika-bhoga * offering. In the morning we offer fruits and milk to the Deities, and at noon we offer rice, * dal, capatis, * vegetables, milk, sweet rice and many other varieties. In the * vaikalika-bhoga-arati * we offer fruits again. Then there is * sandhya-arati * after dusk; and at 9.00 pm we offer * bhoga * of * puris, * vegetable, milk, sweetmeats, etc. Then there is * sayana-arati* after which the Deity rests. This is the general program of worship. We decorate the thrones with profuse flowers, changing the dress and ornaments daily, and as far as possible the Deity platform and the temple room are kept neat and clean always.” ([[letters/1970/700205_hanuman_prasad_poddar|Hanuman Prasad Poddar, 5 February, 1970]]) *** 70-04 “You were very much anxious to worship Radha-Krsna Deity and you took one pair from Mataji. At that time I advised you to wait. Now when the pair of Deities were taken by Mataji again you were a little bit sorry, but Krsna is so kind upon you that He has come to you again in a better position and now you can engage yourself in His service heart and soul. ==Both mangala-arati and sandhya-arati can be changed according with the sunrise and sunset. We are not concerned with the time but with the sun's movement.== *Sandhya-arati* may be performed one half to one hour after sunset. So the decoration of the temple room and offering *bhoga* to the Deities should be done as nicely as possible as it is within our capacity. This is the sign of love. So I am confident of your love for Krsna and do everything nicely for His pleasure. Whenever it is necessary you are quite at liberty to ask me for direction.” ([[letters/1970/700416_satsvarupa|Yamuna and Gurudasa, 16 April, 1970]]) *** 70-06 ** ==“No, it is not proper that the morning arati is performed with the Deities lying down. The Deities should be awakened with belling, then stand Them, then perform arati. After arati you bathe and change Their clothes. You should wake Them privately and also bathe Them privately.”== (SPL to Himavati, June 13th, 1970) 71-11 “And Krsna has made Himself available in the form of very nice brass *murtis* for Washington DC. It is not necessary also that Lord Jagannatha come along. Sometimes He is misunderstood also. The Deities can be installed in a temple and then taken for traveling. That will be best. So far Silavatis other questions: The large brass Deities can be bathed the same as the small ones if They can be handled easily. Cooking can go on after the Deities' plate is made. Without offering to the Deity nobody can be supplied, but after the offering if there are so many men and more is required then how can it be stopped? ==In Vrndavana, dhupa is offered without a flower sometimes, but either way is all right. If a flower can be offered, then that is nice.== Generally sandalwood paste is offered on the forehead, but on other parts of the body is all right. *Kumkum* powder should be offered on the feet.” (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, November 6th, 1971) 71-12 ** ==“Mangala arati must be done in nightgown. After mangala arati, then bathing is done and dressing. Three-thirty is too early for holding mangala arati. The Deities should be given sufficient rest. The standard time is 1 1/2 hours before sunrise, so we may say 5 am is a good time for holding arati.”== (SPL to Himavati, December 26th, 1971) 72-02 * * ==“Dhupa-arati may be performed in the morning if there is unusually great complaining, but it is better to hold full arati, but quietly, as in Bombay they playa tape-recording== * * of myself singing *arati* softly and hold full *arati.* We should not try to diminish our standard of Deity worship once it has reached a certain program, and it is especially nice to wake up Radha and Krsna with full *arati* with everyone dancing, but quietly.” (SPL to Upendra, February 19th, 1972) 72-02 ** ==“You are waking up your new Deities too early! Best time is between 4.30 and 5 am, with mangala-arati at 5 am. Although Krsna is Master of sleep, still, we must allow Him sufficient rest for herding cows all day and playing with His cowherd friends.”== (SPL to Rupanuga, February 22nd, 1972) 72-05 ==“So far your question regarding Deity worship, during arati everything should be offered first to the guru.”== ([[letters/1972/720528_giriraja|Giriraja, 28 May, 1972]]) *** 72-05 ==“So far your question regarding Deity worship, during arati everything should be offered first to the Guru.”== ([[letters/1972/720528_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 28 May, 1972]]) *** 74-12 “The pictures of your newly installed Deities are very, very nice and you can name Them Sri Sri Radha-Madan-Mohan. The Deity worship should be done very carefully and nicely, *srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau, yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato'pi, vande guroh, sri-caranara-vindam.* ==You should make sure that there is a nice arati program, six aratis daily at least.== * * You should make sure that there is nice fresh clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of * prasadam. * You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only by the duly second-initiated * brahmanas. * The Deity should have nice flowers everyday, etc. etc. You should try to bring Them up to the highest standard, such as we have in Los Angeles or New Vrndavana. Sri Sri Radha-Madan-Mohan have kindly descended in Their * arca-vigraha* form, now you must receive Them with that consciousness. And by serving Them you will all develop pure love of Krsna.” ([[letters/1974/741219_bahudak|Bahudaka, 19 December, 1974]]) ## Pujari Standards 69-12 ** ==“Regarding your questions about pujari, pujari means who will always be with the Deities. That is pujari.”== (SPL to Kulasekhara, December 8th, 1969) 70-03 “Regarding an assistant *pujari,* Ilavati may be trained to assist you, but she may not conduct *arcana* without being *dvija.* ==The system is that only one who is qualified with== * * ==Gayatri initiation may directly worship the Deities (i.e. bathing, offering bhoga and arati, cooking for the Deities, etc) but she may assist you== by ====helping in all other respects. If for some reason you are unable to perform * arati, * there are other devotees, initiated * brahmanas,* who can make offerings there.” ([[letters/1970/700302_yamuna|Yamuna, 2 March, 1970]]) *** 70-07 “I do not know what Kīrtanānanda Maharaja has told you, but where there is a want of *pujaris,* only Panca-tattva picture should be worshiped by the performance of *kirtana* and as soon as Jagannatha or Radha-Krsna Deities are installed you will require some qualified *pujaris* immediately. ==If there is a scarcity of such qualified pujaris, each center should be satisfied only by worshiping Panca-tattva of Lord Caitanya by performance of sankirtana.”== (SPL to Damodara, July 1, 1970) 71-01 ==“So far as touching the Deity is concerned, that can be done only by the priest. Only on very special occasions are others allowed to touch the Deity. Touch means to place Tulasi mixed with sandalwood at Krsna's lotus feet.”== (SPL to Bhavananda, January 21st,* 1971) 71-03 ==“So long as there is Guru-Gauranga worship, Yamuna Prabhu may act as pujari. Otherwise, one must be initiated to tend the Deity.”== (SPL to Rsabhadeva, March 25th, 1971) 71-04 * * ==“Yes, when I return to LA I shall be glad to visit Seattle. Radha-Krsna Deities may be installed at that time also, provided there are at least four doubly-initiated devotees present who can take proper care of Them.”== (SPL to Krsnakanti, April 11th,* 1971) 71-05 ** ==“Requirements for Jagannatha worship is that four qualified brahmanas must be on hand to tend to Lord Jagannatha's needs. Unless there are sufficient men and brahmanas, how can such worship go on?”== (SPL to Satsvarupa, May 26th, 1971) 71-08 “The Deity should be gorgeously decorated with flowers, ornaments, and new dresses. I think in this connection Yamuna is very expert. For dressing at least Yamuna should be in charge and for offering of *bhoga* Dayananda may go on with his duties. ==At least two devotees should take care of the Deities constantly.”== (SPL to Giriraja, 12th August,* 1971) 71-11 “Regarding Deity worship, the standard of Deity worship must be kept very high in all our ISKCON centers. There should be no question of decrease, only how to increase in the quality and opulence of our *arcana* offerings. ==To supervise this essential Krsna conscious activity requires a very fastidious person. One who can remember everything and be very conscientious to prepare everything nicely, be timely, like that.== * * If you are very much attracted to * pujari* work then you should be given opportunity in some one of our ISKCON temples to practice it very nicely. For that you consult with the officers and GBC.” (SPL to Badrnarayana dasa, November 18th, 1971) 72-03 “By now you must have completed nice clothes, ornaments, and all gorgeous arrangements for installing the Deity, so you may place Jagannatha just as with Caitanya Mahaprabhu's picture without any ceremony required. In general we do not allow anyone without sacred thread to attend to the Deity, but ==if there is lack of qualified brahmanas men without sacred thread may be employed to cleanse the floor and other things which do not require their touching or gazing upon the Deity at close quarter.”== (SPL to Bhakta dasa, March 5th, 1972) 72-03 “Your suggestion to have a *brahmacari asrama* is all right, and you should train all these boys to become good preachers. So far installing new Deities, I think it is best if you concentrate your energy on *sankirtana* and book distribution for now, and as your temple grows and facilities are there for very opulent Deity worship, then this can be considered. ==I have made it a policy that there must be at least ten initiated== ** ==brahmanas in a temple before Deities are installed.”== (SPL to Patita Uddharana, March 25th, 1972) 72-05 ==“I have got some reports that the Deities in Bombay are being much neglected. This is most abominable affair. Radha and Krsna should not ever be neglected or left unprotected, so I am wondering what you have done to rectify this situation. I have heard that Madhudvisa intervened to get the Deities better place, so he has done nicely.”== ([[letters/1972/720502_giriraja|Giriraja, 2 May, 1972]]) *** 72-06 ==“I understand from Yamuna that our Gaurachand Goswami feels still that we are unfit to render service to the Deity, so let him think like that, we don't care== *.* We are worshiping Deity in 100 places and we become unfit in Radha-Damodara? Why we are unfit? If you are beautiful Americans with good education and very pious and pure, and if you have got all qualities of Vaisnava, why you are not fit? ==We think we are quite fit.”== ([[letters/1972/720612_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 12 June, 1972]]) *** 73-01 “Now you are asking if Lord Jagannatha carries flute? Why this nonsense question? You are asking me so many concoctions and manufacturing nonsense. Don't bother my head in this way any more. From now on unless I order you do something change or in addition, go on with the usual standard way. You manufacture ideas and then I have to waste my time. I have given you everything already, there is no need for you to add anything or change anything. Why you are asking these things? Who has given you such freedom? ==Pujari should operate entirely under the supervision of temple president and GBC, not independently. The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the Deities.== **So don't ask any more new questions, whatever is going on, follow it just to the exact standard as I have given you, that's all.” ([[letters/1973/730104_dhruvananda|Dhruvananda, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-03 ** ==“... try to help him. He is a good boy and he will come out again very nicely. But he must marry that girl, we cannot play with sex-life, that is not our business. If he shows he is faithful for three months, then he again can take care of Radha-Krsna.”== ([[letters/1973/730304_trai|Bhakta dasa, 4 March, 1973]]) *** 73-06 “You have asked what is the mentality of the demons who attacked New Vrndavana and why did this happen? You should know this already, that there are two classes of men, devotees and demons. The whole history is that the peaceful devotees are disturbed by the demons but that the devotees are always victorious by the grace of Krsna. In the *Bhagavad-gita* Krsna ordered Arjuna to declare to the whole world that His devotees would never be vanquished. And in the last verse of the *Gita,* Sanjaya says wherever there is Krsna and Krsna's pure devotee Arjuna there will always be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality *tatra srir vijayo bhutir, dhruva nitir matir mama.* But because we are engaged in warfare with the forces of *maya,* there will be casualties. Even Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu a 16-year-old boy was killed at the battle of Kuruksetra. ==We should be prepared to protect the Deities and always expect Krsna's mercy, because we are always dependent on Him and we cannot do anything on our own without Him.”== ([[letters/1973/730622_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 22 June, 1973]]) *** 73-09 * * ==“Yes, for Deity worship at least ten== * * ==brahmanas are required. Regarding New Orleans, the book distribution must be established not just the Deity worship. This is very important to our movement, so please arrange this to go on.”== ([[letters/1973/730916_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 16 September, 1973]]) *** 74-01 “I have received one letter from Madhavananda in which he mentions that the Deities at the Bhaktivedanta Manor are not protected. So you are the president of the temple and therefore you are responsible for all areas. ==Who is in charge of the Deity room? It must be secured at night, every window and door must be locked and you must personally see to this.== **You have had sufficient experience at Bury Place that the Deity was attacked. You have already experienced that so you should not be negligent in this matter. Please see that adequate security is given to the temple, especially to the Deities, so that They will not be exposed to any attack.” ([[letters/1974/740101_mukunda|Mukunda, 1 January, 1974]]) *** 74-01 * * ==“Brahmana brahmacaris are very nice for Deity worship.== * * You have asked about Balarama Krsna Deities. No, Balarama and Krsna are already there as Caitanya and Nitai: *vrajendra-nandana yei, saci-suta hoilo sei.* The best thing is to establish Gaura-Nitai Deities. In Vrndavana we are establishing Balarama Krsna Deities because most of the temples there have Radha-Krsna and there is not Balarama-Krsna. That has a different purpose. We should not imitate that. Better to have Gaura-Nitai, Radha-Krsna and Lord Jagannatha *—* that system must continue.” ([[letters/1974/740112_kausalya|Kīrtanānanda, 12 January, 1974]]) *** 74-08 * * ==“Regarding the worship of our== * * ==Gaura-Nitai by women pujaris, we worship Lord Caitanya in His householder life when He was with His wife, and not as a sannyasi.== * * ==So, it is all right for women to do this service.== * * But, besides this, service is spiritual and there can be no material designation. In *Bhagavad-gita* it is stated by Lord Krsna: *striyo vaisyas tatha sudras te 'pi yanti param gatim.* The principle is that everyone who is properly initiated and following the rules and regulations can worship. This activity cannot be on the material platform. According to the *smarta-vidhi,* women cannot touch Deity during menstrual period but the *gosvami-vidhi* allows. But it is better not to do it. One thing is that the seva can never be stopped for any reason. This also for the cooking.” ([[letters/1974/740813_madhudvisa|Amsu dasa, 13 August, 1974]]) *** 76-01 “I accept Govinda dasa *brahmacari* for second initiation. Enclosed is his sacred thread duly chanted on by me. Now you have to hold a fire ceremony and let him hear the Gayatri *mantra* from the tape recording in his right ear. ==If he is going to engage in the Deity's service, he must be taught to be very clean.== ** ==Brahmana means to be clean—internally by chanting the Lord's glories and externally by regular bathing.”== ([[letters/1976/760106_k.c._kapur|Aksayananda Maharaja, 6 January, 1976]]) ## Festivals for the Deities, and General Celebrations Observed 68-03 ** ==“The rakhe-bandhan ceremony observed by you under instruction of___ isn't approved by our Vaisnava rituals. Of course, such ceremony is observed among the Hindu community as a socio-religious convention. But in our Vaisnava community there is no such observance.”== ([[letters/1968/680326_mukunda|Mukunda, 26 March, 1968]]) *** 68-12 * * ==“On the disappearance day of my Guru Maharaja, you may hold a meeting to discuss his activities and offer respect to his memory. Practically, this movement is his because it is under his order that I have come to your country.”== (SPL to Upendra, December 2nd,* 1968) 69-01 ==“You have asked about the specialness of the month of Karttika, and the answer is that it is a special inducement for persons who are not in Krsna consciousness to perform some devotional service== *.* For persons who are doing nothing in Krsna consciousness, it is an indirect inducement to take to devotional service in earnest seriousness, every moment is Karttika. In this connection, there is a good example that sometimes a store gives a special concession to attract new customers. But for those who are already customers there is no need of a special sale. They will purchase at any cost if they know the important value of the goods. Similarly, those who are pure devotees do not aspire for any concession, and out of spontaneous love try to engage themselves in devotional service twenty-four hours each day, three hundred and sixty five days every year, without any stoppage.” ([[letters/1969/690130_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 30 January, 1969]]) ==69-05 “Your next festival will be as follows: Rairaya—on this day the gopis played by making Radharani a queen, and She is seated on a gorgeous throne, and Krsna is made as Her doorman of the palace, so He is standing by the throne room with a sword. So this is one pastime arranged by the gopis and there is nice feasting, dancing and singing on account of the coronation of Srimati Radharani.”== ([[letters/1969/690513_tamala_krsna|Tamala Krsna, 13 May, 1969]]) *** 69-08 “Regarding holy days, I am very glad that you performed Guru Purnima and you offer puffed up *kacoris.* You must have enjoyed *prasadam* very nicely, but you forgot the statement bracketed on that list, ’special honoring of the spiritual master’ and that you had to send some contribution to the book fund. Never mind, you can do it again on the 5th September and rectify the mistake. I hope it will not be a very difficult job. ==Regarding celebrations of other holidays, they will be described as to how they should be celebrated in future memos to all of the temples. I think by now you must have received instructions how to celebrate Jhulana-yatra festival.”== ([[letters/1969/690817_mahapurusa|Govinda dasi, 17 August, 1969]]) *** 69-09 “I am very pleased that Berkeley has just secured a nice temple, and the rent is also not very much. It is good news. You write that you are introducing our books in a new bookstore and similarly try to introduce this valuable literature in many such bookstores in the Los Angeles area. ==I think you may introduce the ceremony of strolling the Deities round about the temple. If not every evening, then it can be done at least one day per week at a fixed up time.”== ([[letters/1969/690908_gargamuni|Tamala Krsna, 8 September, 1969]]) *** 70-02 ==“I am very pleased to learn how things are going on very well in Washington center and that you are nicely celebrating the various advent days of our great acaryas.”== ([[letters/1970/700222_damodara|Damodara, 22 February, 1970]]) *** 70-05 ==“I am so glad to learn that you are regularly observing the listed holidays in our Caitanya almanac. The roaring kirtana, offering feast to the Deities with special preparations is our simple mode of celebration, and there is no other special program. This is standard and that is our festival.”== ([[letters/1970/700517_yamuna|Yamuna, 17 May, 1970]]) *** 71-11 ==“Puspabhiseka means a ceremony to decorate the Deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths. After, there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets, so that all the citizens should see how beautiful Krsna appears.”== (SPL to Danavir, November 20th, 1971) 72-01 ==“I have had many requests from many students for a list of holidays and festival days. Now we have got a Panjika, so I shall be compiling such a list very soon and I shall send you a copy.”== (SPL to Upendra, January 21st, 1972) 72-09 ** ==“Yes, if there is arrangement for swinging the Deities sometimes, that is all right. Anything may be done which will be pleasing to the Lord, and He is often fond of swinging motions.”== ([[letters/1972/720902_lalitananda|Lalitananda, 2 September, 1972]]) *** 73-01 “Your letter December 30, 1972 is in hand. I have only just now got it, so tomorrow is your *sraddha* ceremony of your father, so I do not know if this letter will reach you in time to be of any help in the matter. ==But for conducting the sraddha ceremony, that should be done in our temple, and feasting should be arranged in the temple. Afterwards, the prasada should be distributed to friends and relatives. Perform kirtana, give lecture and readings,== * * just like our ordinary program. The idea is that in addition we are offering sumptuous * prasada * of Visnu to the soul of father and mother. Therefore Visnu's * prasada* should be distributed in sufficient quantities, not otherwise.” ([[letters/1973/730104_sama_sammita|Krsna Gopala, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-08 ** ==“Observe many festivals, that will keep both public and devotees alive. Temple means festivals and festivals means chanting and distribution of prasadam.”== ([[letters/1973/730808_satsvarupa|Tamala Krsna, 8 August, 1973]]) *** 74-04 “I am asking Pradyumna to send you a list of Vaisnava functions which you can give to the Indians who are inquiring about it at the New York temple. ==Other than the bona fide== * * ==Vaisnava functions we cannot divert our devotees' attention to such participation in so-called religious functions. This has spoiled the Hindu religion into a hodge podge pseudoreligion.== * * For advancement in Krsna consciousness we should simply concentrate on Krsna therefore we can help them but the function has to be in connection with Krsna.” ([[letters/1974/740427_pusta_krsna|Gopala Krsna, 27 April, 1974]]) *** 74-06 ==“I want to thank you a hundred times for the excellent way you are worshiping the Deity there as I can see from the color photographs you have sent. From my very childhood I was also worshiping Lord Jagannatha.== * * When I was six years old my father gave me a * ratha * and I was performing the Ratha-yatra in my neighborhood. And now in the Western world you are worshiping Lord Jagannatha so gorgeously and it pleases me very, very much. Thank you again for the way you * * are conducting the Deity worship in the Philadelphia temple. As for the Ratha Ceremony, you go on with it, I shall attend there next year. But you go on holding a splendid ceremony for the people of the city. I am sure it will be a success.” ([[letters/1974/740610_ravindra_svarupa|Ravindra Svarupa, 10 June, 1974]]) ## Sri Gaura-Purnima 67-03 “I may inform you that the possession must be taken on or before 26th March 1967 because that is the day of Lord Caitanya's birthday. ==You shall observe Lord Caitanya's birthday as follows:== ** l) The picture of Lord Caitanya with His party should be nicely decorated with flowers and garlands and *sankirtana* should be performed regularly from morning to evening. Just after seeing the full moon in the sky, the day's fast should be broken. I mean the devotees should observe fasting the whole day. In the evening the devotees should take food as in the Ekadasi days. 2) The next day you can celebrate feasting on account of Lord Caitanya's Appearance and read about His life as given shortly in my *Srimad-Bhagavatam* and you can read also from the *Teachings of Lord Caitanya,* part of which is going to be published in the present issue of *Back to Godhead.” ([[letters/1967/670314_brahmanandab|Brahmananda, 14 March, 1967]]) *** 68-01 * * ==“Lord Caitanya's birth date is on the== * * ==Phalguna Purnima between the 15th of February and the 15th of March. The full moon day is Lord Caitanya's birthday. I think you can send for== * * ==Rayarama's calendar which he has published. The exact day is the 14th March, Thursday, 1968. The procedure is that you should fast from morning to evening (about 7.00) and after that there should be offering to Lord Caitanya and== * * ==prasadam should be accepted just like on== Ekadasi day, and the next day, Friday, full love feasting may be provided to as many devotees as you can.”== ([[letters/1968/680121_janardana|Janardana, 21 January, 1968]]) *** 68-03 * * ==“Regarding the observance of Lord Caitanya's Advent Day: No, there is no need for any other devotional songs or chants, simply chant Hare Krsna, with kirtana or beads== * , and sing the prayer, * sri krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrnda. * You can also chant the prayer you have asked about. This was spoken by Lord Nityananda while He was preaching in the town. He was addressing the people, ’My dear brothers, you simply worship Lord Caitanya, talk of Lord Caitanya, speak Lord Caitanya's name.’ So anyone who does so * ,* he is my life and soul. Thus spoke Lord Nityananda” ([[letters/1968/680307_mahapurusa|Mahapurusa, 7 March, 1968]]) *** 68-03 “At the meeting ==everyone should try to speak something on Caitanya== * * ==Mahaprabhu's life, teachings, and philosophy. You can== * * ==take quotations from the above-mentioned books and have discussions. Fasting should be continued up to evening and then you may have food like on Ekadasi:== **fruits, milk, etc. On the next day you may observe festival. Janardana consulted me and said he thinks Sunday feasting would be best, so you may do that if you like. Or you may do both days, as you feel best.” ([[letters/1968/680307_mahapurusa|Mahapurusa, 7 March, 1968]]) *** 68-03 “So far the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya is concerned, I have written a full suggestion to Montreal, in which the main points are that ==we should all observe strict fasting up until moonrise, and at that time, an offering is made to Lord Caitanya of Ekadasi foods,== * * ==fruits, peanuts, milk and so forth. Then, on the next day, Friday the 15th, a full-scale feast== * * is held to celebrate His advent day. On the 14th, chanting, reading of Srila Bhaktivinoda's book, *Life and Precepts* and *Caitanya caritamrta,* introduction to *Bhagavatam,* may be held all day in the temple.” ([[letters/1968/680312_balai|Balai, 12 March, 1968]]) *** 69-02 * * ==“Lord Caitanya's advent day is on the 4th of March 1969. On that day you should keep fasting up to the moonrise in the evening, and the whole day may be utilized in== * * ==performances in kirtana and reading of Lord Caitanya's teachings.== * * In the evening after the ceremony of * kirtana * is observed, light refreshments like fruit and milk, boiled potatoes may be taken and the next day general feasting and distribution of * prasadam* to the public may be observed.” ([[letters/1969/690220_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 20 February, 1969]]) *** 70-02 * * ==“In the spring you may lead a very big procession on Lord Caitanya's Birthday. This is a good plan to celebrate this great spring festival out of doors. So make this a very opulent procession with large sankirtana party== * * and you may also celebrate in this way again with a procession on Janmastarni day. These two important subjects may be observed in this way by all the three areas and similarly in other centers also.” ([[letters/1970/700214_madhudvisa|Madhudvisa, 14 February, 1970]]) *** 70-02 * * ==“Lord Caitanya's appearance day falls on March 22, that is on a Sunday. The devotees should fast until evening when there is a ceremony and offering of a small amount of== * * ==Ekadasi preparations.== * * The next day, the devotees should celebrate amongst themselves with a small scale feast. You may hold the celebration open to the public on the following Sunday. The preparation to be offered specially on this occasion * is bhuni kicari. * Fry equal parts * dal * and rice in ghee and masala. Add two times water as * dal * and rice, and add vegetables (if you use more ghee then use less water). Cook it until it is dried and the rice is soft * .* ” ([[letters/1970/700218_sivananda|Krsna dasa, 18 February, 1970]]) ==70-02 “But I will suggest one thing—that you can organize a mass sankirtana procession on the advent day of Lord Caitanya,== 22nd March 1970; that day is also Sunday. Therefore, if George and John Lennon both lead the procession that will be a great service. Because of their presence many young men especially will join the procession. And if you carry flags, festoons and pictures in that procession, starting from a big park like Hyde Park or St. James' Square and then pass over some important streets, especially the residential quarters, that will be a great success. In that procession you can distribute our literatures of various kindsbooks and magazines also. I think that will be a great successful program.” ([[letters/1970/700221_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 21 February, 1970]]) *** 70-03 “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 17th March, 1970, with enclosure and it is very satisfying that you have introduced the *sankirtana* party procession in the public streets and parks on the occasion of Lord Caitanya's birthday. It is a good addition to my missionary activities, and I thank you very much. ==In the London streets, introduction of Ratha-yatra procession, as well as Lord Caitanya's birthday ceremony procession, and in the most important part of the city, a Radha-Krsna temple—all these things are a great achievement of your London yatra party and personally I feel a great credit for me== because by such activities my Guru Maharaja is certainly very pleased upon us. So whatever progress we are making by the grace of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja we must stick to them and make further progress.” ([[letters/1970/700324_mukunda|Mukunda, 24 March, 1970]]) ==70-04 “I understand that the Lord Caitanya's birthday procession was very, very nice and similarly in San Francisco also they took out a procession in the street, and it is understood that 4,000 to 5,000 people participated. So this is another introduction to our Krsna consciousness movement.” ([[letters/1970/700401_mukunda|== *SPL to Gurudasa, 1 April, 1970]]) ==70-06 “No feasting in the evening of Caitanya's birthday. Fasting all day till evening moonrise. Then take prasadam like Ekadasi. Next day you can have full swing feasting. On the birthday if you can take a procession of kirtana on the street it is very nice.”== (SPL to Rayarama, no date available) ## Chaturmasya ==71-08 “For your hair you can try a little castor oil. So far the milk fast, if possible you can observe it. But these things are not so important. For preaching work we have to make so many adjustments.”== (SPL to Himavati, August 27th, 1971) ==75-08 “Yes, it is all right for you to observe Caturmasya if you can manage in the mornings. The Deities should be offered the regular prasada. The Deities are not devotees, They are Lords. But, it is a fact that Lord Caitanya observed, as we find in Caitanya caritamrta, but it is not necessary for Them to follow there in your temple”== ([[letters/1975/750804_gopala_krsna|Madhudvisa Swami, 4 August, 1975]]) *** 75-11 “Regarding your coming to India and traveling with me, oh! yes, you are welcome. ==It is very good that you have been observing Caturmasya.== I have already sent through Brahmananda Swami a telegram approving your travel program. That's very nice that you will travel to the South-East Asian countries, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and also China. That is very nice.” ([[letters/1975/751118_mr._mohan_majundar|Madhudvisa Maharaja, 18 November, 1975]]) ## Diwali Govardhana Puja (Annakuta) Celebrations ==67-10 “On, the last day after Diwali the Vaisnavas observe Annakuta ceremony. This celebration is the day when Lord Krsna lifted the hill and Madhavendra Puri established the temple for Gopala.”== ([[letters/1967/671017_pradyumna|Pradyumna, 17 October, 1967]]) ==68-10 “Diwali ceremony can be observed in the temple by illuminating hundreds of candles in different parts of the temple and offering special prasada to the Deity.== This ceremony was observed by the inhabitants of Ayodhya, the kingdom of Lord Ramacandra, while Lord Ramacandra was out of His kingdom due to His fourteen years banishment by the order of His father. His younger stepbrother, Bharata, took charge of the kingdom and the day on which Lord Ramacandra took back the charge again from His brother and was seated on the throne, this is observed as Diwali function. This is the original idea of Diwali. Diwali means the same thing. *Dipa* means candles, and *wali* means numerous. When numerous candles are lighted it is called Diwali. In India, this Diwali function is celebrated in a special auspicious occasion. This Diwali function can be observed on 21st October and *prasada* can be distributed on the 22nd October, during daytime, which is known as Govardhana *puja* and Annakuta ceremony. In India, in all Vaisanava temples, this ceremony is observed and hundreds of people are given *prasada* according to the capacity of the temple. So I understand that last year the Diwali ceremony was held in the temple and there was collection of $130.” ([[letters/1968/681010_sivananda|Hamsaduta, 10 October, 1968]]) *** 69-07 “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 2, 1969 sent along with your beads. I have chanted on them and your initiated name is Giriraja. ==Giriraja is the name of the Govardhana Hill on which Krsna used to tend His cows. In Vrndavana the Govardhana Hill is== * * ==worshiped as a representation of== * * ==Krsna, and they worship in this way.== * * I am very glad to understand that you have at least relished some of the transcendental bliss of Krsna consciousness.” (SPL to Giriraja, 5th July,* 1969) 71-10 * * ==“Yes, this Govardhana== * * ==puja is a bona fide procedure, but such things cannot be held in your country. It requires good space to decorate the imitation hill of rice.== * * So when we offer such hill of rice, there must be other things also-a hill of * capatis * and other things. It is a huge affair. In India practically in all the Visnu temples this is observed and they spend huge amounts for this purpose and they distribute * prasadam * to thousands and everyone gathers to take even a little portion of it. If you can introduce this Govardhana * puja,* I have no objection, but it requires hard labor, good management and much money also. But the process is bona fide.” (SPL to Damodara, October 3rd, 1971) ## Ekadasi 68-02 ** ==“Ekadasi is observed for increasing the strength of devotion.”== ([[letters/1968/680201_madhusudana|Madhusudana, 1 February, 1968]]) *** 68-07 ** ==“I am glad to learn also that you sometimes fast the whole day and chant. It is a very good idea and you can follow this principle rigidly two days a month, namely the Ekadasi days.”== ([[letters/1968/680713_christopher|Christopher, 13 July, 1968]]) *** 69-10 * * ==“I have duly received the bananas you sent, and you can send me these dried bananas tons and tons. It is very useful and can be nicely used for our== * * ==Ekadasi foodstuffs. After drying the== ** ==bananas you can make powder, just like flour, and out of this you can prepare puris, halava, pakoras and other fruit products.”== (SPL to Govinda dasi, October 27th, 1969) 70-04 “Regarding your questions about the calendar almanac: l. Hera-pancami is correct (July 9, 1970) 2. When there is an important Dvadasi, the Ekadasi fasting is transferred on the Dvadasi and this is called Maha-dvadasi. The 26th October 1970 is actually Dvadasi, so the fasting is observed together, or Ekadasi fasting is disregarded, and the Dvadasi (Maha-dvadasi) fasting is taken as important. You were given this old *Panjika* just to consult names and spelling only. The dates are different, so whatever date I have given, that is correct. Why you are searching Byanjali Dvadasi in this last year's *Panjika?* What I have given is from this year's *Panjika,* so everything will not collaborate. 3. The word is ___. That is called *Odana-sasthi* and the date is 14th December 1970. That is correct even if you do not find it in the dictionary. The dictionary may not have every word. 5. 7th February, 1971 - Varaha Dvadasi. I have explained the position in regard to number 2. *6.* ==So far determining Ekadasi it is determined 11 days after the full moon and 11 days after the new moon, but sometimes it so happens as you have noted one day later.== **However, what I have given is correct. The *Panjika* which I gave you is old *Panjika.* Our calendar is for this new year. Regarding the prayer book, I did not ask you to transliterate thissomebody else has underlined. I have not underlined it. I have received both the prayer book and the *Panjika* also with your letter. Regarding your work on the Staal correspondence, locating references to chapter and verses and adding appropriate translations after the Sanskrit; this is all right as you have done it.” ([[letters/1970/700429_pradyumna|Pradyumna, 29 April, 1970]]) *** 70-09 ==“On the whole I am very pleased with your management. The== * * ==Ekadasi program is very nice.== * * ==Krsna is giving you good sense and intelligence. Take care of your godbrothers and godsisters very carefully.”== ([[letters/1970/700919_karandhara|Karandhara, 19 September, 1970]]) ==71-07 “Why just twenty-five rounds? You should chant as many as possible. Real Ekadasi means fasting and chanting and no other business. When one observes fasting the chanting becomes easier. So on Ekadasi other business can be suspended as far as possible unless there is some urgent business.”== ([[letters/1971/710709_jadurani|Jadurani, 9 July, 1971]]) ## Sri Rama-Navami ==68-03 “Our next ceremony is Lord Ramacandra's birthday on the 7th April. It should be observed in the same way as Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day, namely, fasting up to evening and then accept prasada and all our ceremonies should be performed with continuous kirtana, of Hare Krsna, Hare Rama. That will make our functions successful.”== ([[letters/1968/680326_mukunda|Mukunda, 26 March, 1968]]) ==68-03 “So== * * ==far the Advent Day of Lord Ramacandra, it should be celebrated as Lord Caitanya's Birthday was done. Fasting up to evening, and then take prasada, and chant Hare Krsna the whole day, and be engaged in reading and chanting off and on.== Chant for some time, then read for some time, then again have * kirtana, * and so on, throughout the day. If you have not got a * Ramayana, * then you can read * Bhagavad-Gita * or * Srimad-Bhagavatam,* that is all right.” ([[letters/1968/680328_mahapurusa|Mahapurusa, 28 March, 1968]]) ## Rasa-Lila Ceremony ==68-11 “You can celebrate Rasa-lila by having nice kirtana and prasada distribution; that is our way of celebrating.”== ([[letters/1968/681113_upendra|Upendra, 13 November, 1968]]) ==69-11 “To celebrate the Rasa-lila ceremony, decorate the Deities very nicely with flowers, as many as possible, also ornaments, garlands, nice light demonstration and much distribution of prasadam.== That will be a very nice day for opening the Radha-Krsna temple. So if by chance I do not go, then Tamala Krsna, who is arriving in London this Monday, will go. He and Yamuna are both expert in the matter of Deity decoration, so there will be no difficulty for the opening ceremony. So arrange for this ceremony without fail, and let me know immediately if you have got a pair of Radha-Krsna Deities in the new consignment. If not, the Deities with me will go back there.” ([[letters/1969/691107_brahmananda|Krsna dasa, 7 November, 1969]]) ## Lord Jagannatha (see Ratha-yatra) Lord Jagannatha Click here to go to Ratha-yatra ## Jhulana-Yatra 73-01 * * ==“There is no objection either to applying the jewels to Their bodies with beeswax or to swinging Them in the public functions in the temple on Sunday, so long there is very nice jhulana or swing being profusely decorated.== * * ==Radha and Krsna may be swung in this way, but you may avoid swinging Lord Jagannatha like that.”== ([[letters/1973/730105_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 5 January, 1973]]) *** 69-08 * * ==“Regarding Jhulana-yatra ceremony, during these== * * ==five days the Deities' clothing should be changed every day, and there should be nice== * * ==prasadam distribution and sankirtana as far as possible.== * * If you are able to do it, a nice throne may be constructed on which the Deities can be placed. This throne may be swung gently during *kirtana.* That will be very good, and surely the Deities will enjoy the function.” (SPL to Jayapataka, August 1st, 1969) 75-08 ** ==“I am very glad to note that you are having the Phulabangla. It will be very popular. Tell me how it was held. That you are expecting 30,000 people for Jhulana-yatra is wonderful. You should distribute liberally prasada. Aksayananda Maharaja will supply money. Let each man be given prasada. That is our special program.”== ([[letters/1975/750811_bon_maharaja|Dhananjaya dasa, 11 August, 1975]]) ## Janmastami 67-08 “Please accept my blessings. In your last letter ==you asked how to celebrate Radha and Krsna's Birthday. As last year, on Krsna's, with fasting up until midnight, and on Radha's fasting up until noon. Then feasting.== **Certainly those who take Krsna’s Advent as that of an ordinary man are great fools, but if one can simply understand the transcendental nature of this event as well as His Disappearance, he becomes immediately liberated.” (SPL to Brahmananda, August, 1967) *** 70-02 “In the spring you may lead a very big procession on Lord Caitanya's birthday. This is a good plan to celebrate this great spring festival out of doors. So ==make this a very opulent procession with large sankirtana party and you may also celebrate in this way again with a procession on Janmastami day.== **These two important subjects may be observed in this way by all the three areas and similarly in other centers also.” ([[letters/1970/700214_madhudvisa|Madhudvisa, 14 February, 1970]]) ## Radhastami 67-08 “Please accept my blessings. In your last letter you asked how to celebrate Radha and Krsna's Birthdays. As last year, ==on Krsna's, fasting up until midnight, and on== Radha's fasting up until noon. Then feasting.== **Certainly those who take Krsna's advent as that of an ordinary man are great fools, but if one can simply understand the transcendental nature of this event as well as His Disappearance, he becomes immediately liberated.” (SPL to Brahmananda, August, 1967) ## Preaching, Chanting and Deity Worship 68-02 “Yes, the verse concerning *arca-vigraha* is like this: *arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu, nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhir.* The meaning is that one should not think of the Deity as made of stone, wood, etc. Another verse is: *arcayam eva haraye, pujam yah sraddhayehate.* The meaning is that one ==who worships the Deity with great devotion but doesn't show any devotion to the devotees of the Lord, or doesn't preach Krsna consciousness for the benefit of the general public; he is in the lower stage of devotional service.”== ([[letters/1968/680201_madhusudana|Madhusudana, 1 February, 1968]]) *** 69-05 “I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 14th, 1969 and I have received a similar letter from Brahmananda also that you are finding some difficulty in keeping pace regularly with the routine work. My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have *sankirtana* outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of sixteen rounds every day. The next business is your editing, and if you find extra time then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities, but outdoor *kirtana,* your editing work and chanting of sixteen rounds must be done. ==Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important.== * * If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor * kirtana* cannot be stopped." ([[letters/1969/690517_rayarama|Rayarama, 17 May, 1969]]) *** 69-08 "Regarding your questions about details for Deity worship, I have already mentioned in a previous letter that I shall teach you these things when I arrive in London. In the meantime there is no necessity for you to increase Deity worshiping. For the time being these new Deities may be put away nicely until I personally install Them and instruct you very nicely how to tend for Them correctly. For the present you may join *sankirtana* party because I know that your presence will enliven everyone. Actually, temple worship is for the neophyte devotee, and the preacher is in a higher position than the neophyte. That is the definition given in *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* ==The advanced devotee should be very much enthusiastic in preaching the transcendental message of Lord Caitanya, and temple worship should be entrusted to the newcomers or neophytes.”== (SPL to Yamuna dasi, August 12th, 1969) 69-09 ** ==“In this age, chanting of Hare Krsna mantra is the prime business of the devotee, and preaching of this Hare Krsna mantra by outdoor sankirtana and propagation of literature is our more important business. Side by side, Deity worship is recommended, but when there is a question of accepting one of them, we shall prefer to accept chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra first.”== ([[letters/1969/690905_dr._syama_sundardas_brahmacari|Hamsaduta, 5 September, 1969]]) *** 69-12 * * ==“Sankirtana and distributing Back to Godhead and our other literatures is the fieldwork of this movement. Temple worship is secondary.== * * People are invited to come to the temple to see the behavior of the devotees specifically in the matter of purification. There are two kinds of purification methods, external and internal. In our Krsna consciousness movement, Deity worship helps to keep us externally purified and *sankirtana* helps to keep us internally purified. So as far as possible we shall execute both of these processes simultaneously. And by your exemplary character, the general mass of people will be benefitted. Our hearts in material condition are filled with all dirty things, and this Krsna consciousness movement is the cleansing process." (SPL to Cidananda, December 15th, 1969) 70-01 “That is a fact, this plan of *sankirtana* is the only way, the only way for our success. ==Sankirtana, love feast and selling Back to Godhead are our primary engagements and next temple worship. Temple worship is needed for the inner section.== * * In the beginning, * sankirtana* is more important for drawing the attention of the people in general. Last night, I went to see our men chanting in Hollywood Boulevard and I saw it was so fine and satisfactory.” ([[letters/1970/700108_sudama|Sudama, 8 January, 1970]]) *** 70-02 ** ==“I am so glad to learn that you are taking very much interest in the Deity worship and such activities must be accompanied with chanting of the holy name regularly. Actually chanting of the holy name regularly is our life and soul, and on the basis of such activities all other devotional service will sustain.”== ([[letters/1970/700210_ekayani|Ekayani, 10 February, 1970]]) *** 70-03 “Now work with great enthusiasm and ask Himavati to take care of the Deities very, very nicely. Both of you have seen in LA how much they are careful about Deity worship. We have to make our steady progress, keeping both sides in balance, namely *pancaratriki-vidhi* and *Bhagavata-vidhi.* The *pancaratriki-vidhi* is *arcana* or temple worship and the *Bhagavata-vidhi* is to preach by chanting and distributing literature. ==Although chanting is quite sufficient to cover all the vidhis== * * ==still to keep ourselves pure and sanctified we must observe the rules and regulations of== * * ==pancaratriki-vidhi.== * * Our London Deities are certainly very, very nice; and everyone is captivated by seeing the smiling face of the Lord. It is very enchanting. Now everything is there and you are also experienced, therefore go on opening branches as many as possible and preach the * sankirtana* movement to your best capacity. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura entrusted the responsibility to my Guru Maharaja and he also in his turn empowered us to do the work. Similarly, I am requesting you, all my European and American students, to spread this movement city to city and village to village and make all people of the world happy. Actually, they are missing the central pointKrsna, therefore they are unhappy. Let us inform them about this missing point and certainly they will be happy.” ([[letters/1970/700312_citsukhananda|Hamsaduta, 12 March, 1970]]) *** 70-03 “At first I must thank you very * * much for your slides and the viewer which I enjoy whenever I find some * * time. The pictures of London temple immediately get me there and I enjoy your company. So I can understand that everything is going on well in the London temple. The service of the Lord should be so nicely executed that Radharani. I will bestow upon you blessings, raising Her right hand palm. You have got a very nice wife, a devotee and intelligent. So both husband and wife combined together please see that the temple service is being executed regularly and nicely and thus make your lives happy and successful. Side by side, both of you should train your junior brothers and sisters in the service of the Lord, so that in case both of you go for preaching work, the scheduled program of the temple may not be hampered. We should follow two important lines, namely the *pancaratriki-vidhi* as well as the *Bhagavata-vidhi.* The *Bhagavata-vidhi* is preaching work and *sankirtana,* and the *pancaratriki-vidhi* is temple worship of the Deities. ==The temple worship will keep us sanctified and when we shall preach in sanctified pure heart the preaching will be immediately effective.== **So we have to follow the two parallel lines simultaneously for successful execution of devotional service.” ([[letters/1970/700315_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 15 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 “I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 12th April 1970, and the information is very encouraging. The more you worship the Deity very nicely, all of you will feel very nice and peaceful spiritually. Therefore, this point should be very much carefully attended. Similarly, in London Yamuna is also doing nicely, and ==all the wives of our students should be especially trained up for Deity worship and cooking, and when possible they should go on sankirtana== * * ==party with their husbands and others.” ([[letters/1970/700418_hansadutta|== * SPL to Hamsaduta, 18 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 “As I have already said many times that we have to maintain two lines parallel, namely the path of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* and the path of *pancaratrika. Srimad-Bhagavatam* is the path for the *paramahamsas,* and the *pancaratra* path is for the neophytes. ==So the temple worship is necessary for the beginners so that by following the regulative principles such devotees become more and more purified and thus gradually come on the platform to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam.== **So we shall always keep these principles in view and maintain our centers on this standard.” ([[letters/1970/700528_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 28 May, 1970]]) *** 70-07 ==“I am glad to learn that you are continuing your maha-sankirtana, that is very nice. This is our main business. Temple worship is not so important as sankirtana on the public roads and selling our literatures. Your class schedule is also very nice.”== (SPL to Damodara, July 1st, 1970) 71-04 “So far as waiting for sending Deities, that is all right. Although there is no Deity, still this Hare Krsna *mantra* is considered to be the sound vibration incarnation of Krsna. ==Actually we should give more stress in worshiping the incarnation of sound vibration but whenever there is possibility of installing Deities and strictly following the regulations of worship, we shall do this== *,* but the essential part of our activities is to worship the sound incarnation.” (SPL to Visnujana Maharaja, April 4th, 1971) 71-09 “Your proposal for a *grhastha* traveling *sankirtana* party is a very good one but the temple work should not be neglected. Both things should go on simultaneously. ==Our process is to work on== Bhagavata and pancaratriki systems simultaneously. Deity worship is == * * == pancaratriki system and preaching is Bhagavata system.== * * If we keep both systems in a regular way that will help us solidly in our advancement in Krsna consciousness.” (SPL to Makhanlal and Tilaka devi, September 24th, 1971) 71-12 ** ==“When our routine work, like chanting, reading books, nice arati, Deity worship, etc., is very nice, then our preaching will have effect. That is the secret.”== (SPL to Kīrtanānanda Maharaja, December 12th, 1971) 73-01 ** ==“You have my sanction to take with you Gaura-Nitai Deities. Carefully worship Them, attending to Them with regular aratis and bhoga offerings. Be very careful to maintain a strict standard of worship, and whenever you arrive at a temple you can place the Deity on the altar.”== ([[letters/1973/730126_sudama|Sudama, 26 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 ** ==“Regarding your question about taking Gaura-Nitai Deities with you on travelling kirtana, this is not so important. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu was touring India He did not bring His Deity with Him. But if you can make proper arrangement then you may take Them, but if you say you have no brahmanas then I think for the time being you may postpone this program.”== ([[letters/1973/730214_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 14 February, 1973]]) *** 73-03 “You mentioned about your temple bus, and that is very nice. When I saw Rupanuga’s bus in New Vrndavana I wanted that there be a whole fleet. But ==you should not take Radha-Krsna traveling, better you take Gaura-Nitai. For serving Gaura-Nitai there is no offense, but if Radha-Krsna is there and there is some discrepancy, then there is great offense== and this should be avoided. Therefore, I gave the same advice to Visnujana when I was in Pittsburgh. The idea of the temple bus is to attract them aboard, back to Krsna, and the hippies and college students or anyone, will be very much attracted to the program. Now you have my full blessings, so go out and recruit some solid new devotees to help us push on this movement.” ([[letters/1973/730323_sudama|Sudama, 23 March, 1973]]) *** 73-08 * * ==“To install Deities in a moving vehicle is not very good. There is always danger of falling and breaking.== * * ==Sudama already has experience of this. Why is Deity worship being introduced?== * * It should not be introduced because it is very difficult to maintain the standard under such circumstances. If you have picture of Guru-Gauranga that is sufficient. You are wondering if you did the right thing by giving the Deities to Sudama, so the answer is no. The Deities may be brought back and worshiped in the temple as before. The idea of traveling * sankirtana * is to distribute books not to do Deity worship, it is very difficult to maintain the standard of Deity worship in the temple, how will it be maintained in a truck? Another thing is that opening temples should not be encouraged at this time. Subala did the same thing in Santa Fe years ago, why again he is doing the same thing? Hamsaduta in Germany instead of increasing the temples and Deity worship he has increased the * sankirtana* parties. He is running on eight new buses and distributing large quantities of literature, this is more important. Neglectful Deity worship means offense. So make propaganda in this way, but in the bus there should not be Deity worship, simply the picture of Guru-Gauranga.” ([[letters/1973/730815_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 15 August, 1973]]) ==73== - ==08== “I am happy to note that you are traveling and preaching, this process was also practiced by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the beginning of his *sannyasa* life he traveled all over India for almost six years and my Guru Maharaja also traveled, and similarly I am also traveling. One thing is that ==I do not know how practical it is to carry Deities in the truck, by the jarring of the vehicle there may be some damage and also== * * ==I think that it is not possible to keep the top standard of worship, cleanliness, punctual offerings, etc.== * * We must be very careful about Deity worship, if it is neglectful then it is very offensive and that will not help us, we should not do it simply for show. My suggestion is that all our buses should be outfitted with the picture of Guru-Gauranga, that will be quite nice. Main business of traveling buses is to distribute books profusely, what do you think?” ([[letters/1973/730828_sudama|Sudama, 28 August, 1973]]) ==73-09 “My sanction for the Deities in the touring van is still there. But I have heard that sometimes the Deity falls down, so these things are objectionable.== Touring and book distribution, side by side, this is the main business. The general public will not be very much interested to see the Deity, it is our personal business. When you contact with the mass of people, *sankirtana* is the main business. So considering all these points you do the needful, I have no objection.” ([[letters/1973/730904_trai|Sudama Maharaja, 4 September, 1973]]) ==74-04 “As for the Deities of Gaura-Nitai, yes you may take them on travelling sankirtana and worship them. Please keep me informed of your activities.”== ([[letters/1974/740427_pusta_krsna|Pusta Krsna Maharaja, 27 April, 1974]]) ==74-09 “Regarding taking the Deities out on sankirtana as advised by Tamala Krsna Goswami, occasionally the Deities may come and go, however you can let Tamala Krsna Goswami guide you in this connection.”== ([[letters/1974/740907_batu_gopala|Batu Gopala dasa, 7 September, 1974]]) *** 75-01 “The thing is, we should have a little common sense in all activities. The example can be given that women by nature do not forget to dress very nicely although always engaged in household affairs. ==Deity worship or lecturing in the colleges is just as important as book distribution. So, these things must be done very nicely and at the same time, book distribution should be done. Not that we should do one thing at the sacrifice of another.== That requires a little common sense. Factually, we should be engaged 24 hours in Krsna's service and everything should be done very nicely and perfectly.” ([[letters/1975/750102_adi-kesava|Adi Kesava dasa, 2 January, 1975]]) ==76-01 “Gaura-Nitai Deities should not be taken into university classrooms. The professors and students will think we are fanatics. It is better to keep a big Picture of Gaura-Nitai which can be seen by everyone, rather than taking Deities into a classroom.”== ([[letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 5 January, 1976]]) *** 76-12 “I have seen the pictures of the Deity installation you have sent. It appears to be very nicely done. Stick to the principles. All the *brahmana* devotees appear to be very nice. Do this and be happy. In your country hundreds of temples like this must be opened. Town to town, village to village. I am very pleased. Another temple opened, another book published, that is the success of this movement. ==Without book distribution the temple worship standard will also diminish. Therefore both of them should go side by side.== * * I can see in the pictures so many outsiders offering respect with awe and veneration. This Deity worship is very important. As soon as you get sufficient initiated * brahmanas* try to open another center.” ([[letters/1976/761228_kurusrestha|Kurusrestha dasa, 28 December, 1976]]) ## Salagrama-Sila 71-10 ** ==“A piece of Govardhana Hill cannot be taken from Vrndavana.”== (SPL to Karandhara, October 3rd, 1971) 72-06 “I am in due receipt of your letters of 17th and 25th March, 1972, and shall answer as follows: 1. There is no question of bathing Caitanya Deity. Of course He is bathed many times daily by Hare Krsna *mantra,* but ==for bathing of such Deities requires Salagrama Sila,== * * ==and I have not introduced yet, but I shall do so later.== * * Of course you should always cleanse Him with dry or damp cloth from time to time, but no daily bathing process is recommended by me for the time being. 2. You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krsna. 3. Deities should be changed in early morning, after *mangala-arati,* before noon offering, and before *sayana-arati* They should be put in Their fine dress. 4. ==The Govardhana rock should be returned to Mt. Govardhana as soon as possible.== **I am very glad that you are doing such a nice service by worshiping Radharani and Krsna so nicely and giving Them so many nice clothes and ornaments and taking such nice care, so now I am very much relieved to know everything is going well in Calcutta during my absence. Now you make Mayapur into a gorgeous palace for Radha and Krsna, and I shall come there immediately and sit down there permanently to stay by Them. Hoping this meets you in good health, Your ever well-wisher.” (SPL to Palika devi dasi, (no date), 1972) 74-11 ** ==“Regarding salagrama sila, forget it. There is no need of installing. Kirtana is the most important thing and book distribution.”== ([[letters/1974/741123_kirtanananda|Hamsaduta dasa, 23 November, 1974]]) *** 75-06 ** ==“Regarding naming your Cleveland center, New Govardhana Hill is a very nice name. But as far as worshiping a Govardhana Sila from Govardhana Hill, that we shall see later on.”== ([[letters/1975/750612_jagannatha-suta|Batu Gopala dasa, 12 June, 1975]]) ==76-11 “Worship salagrama sila nicely, husband and wife. Do not forget to follow strictly the four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds minimum daily.”== ([[letters/1976/761103_sacimata|Hrsikesananda dasa, 3 November, 1976]]) ## Personal Deity Worship 68-05 “It is very nice that you are keeping the Radha-Krsna *murti* so nicely there with you. No, ==it is not improper to keep Them at your home, but it (the home) must be kept with due veneration and respect. If we keep the statue of Krsna in our room, we must know that Krsna is present== and as such we must be careful in our dealings, talking and behavior, as we are present before Krsna directly. The altar should be so made, with curtain, that it may be closed when Radha and Krsna are taking rest. Dress Them as nicely as possible. We have so many Radha-Krsna **pictures, so you can take idea from them.” ([[letters/1968/680506_mukunda|Mukunda, 6 May, 1968]]) *** 69-01 “Regarding your question, the Deity shall be put to rest in time, and if people are still eating *prasada,* the *arati* cannot be performed. It is better if after offering *prasada* to the Deity you perform *arati,* close the curtains and then distribute *prasada* to the devotees. Please do not accept from Gopala Krsna 6” *murti.* He has promised to donate one pair of 24” *murtis.* Besides that, ==when you are engaged in the worship of the temple Deities, you may not install separately Deities at your home.”== ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Hamsaduta, 12 January, 1969]]) ==69-01 “Regarding your keeping private Deities, if you have the time it is all right, but the same energy can be utilized in the temple for decorating, dressing, cleaning, cooking.== Actually every day the dress should be changed with new ornaments, clothes, and flower garlands. So we can increase even in one place the activities of Deity worship. If you are having free time, I can give you a very grand list of activities for Deity worship which will keep you occupied for twenty-four hours each day.” ([[letters/1969/690124_himavati|Himavati, 24 January, 1969]]) ==69-03 “So far keeping the Deity in your separate house,== * * ==I think there is no need for this. Because if you keep Him there, you have to take proper care, with aratis and attention, and thus divert attention from the Deity in the temple,== and from chanting and so many other forms of service, like your writing and sewing etc. So I think it best if everyone centers his attention on the Deity in the temple, and in that way the temple worship will pull on nicely. Of course, if the temple is unapproachable, or too far, or something like that, that is different thing, but if the temple is easily accessible then this is the best program-for all to go there and attend * arati * and * kirtana* etc.” ([[letters/1969/690330_satyabhama|Satyabhama, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 69-04 “I beg to thank you for your letter dated April 23, 1969 sent along with the Panca-tattva painting, and I am so glad to learn that you are also a good painter. Your first attempt has been almost successful, so I request you to continue to practice so that excellent paintings may be drawn by you. We require so many pictures for our temples which are already present and which will be opened in the future. ==Immediately upon receipt of your picture, I had it hung right above my Deity room. Wherever I go I convert one closet into my Deity room, so I shall always be seeing your picture there.”== ([[letters/1969/690425_dinesh|Bibhavati, 25 April, 1969]]) *** 69-11 * * ==“Regarding worshiping uninstalled Deities, generally this is not done. But you can do== aratis with Lord Jagannatha. == * * == He is very kind. == **== I hope you are all chanting regularly and keeping in good spirits.”== ([[letters/1969/691111_srimati|Srimati, 11 November, 1969]]) *** 70-03 ** ==“I am so pleased to know that you are carefully caring for your Deities and that you chant before Them always when at home. So the Lord is very kind upon His sincere devotees, and He will provide more and more opportunities for such a sincere devotee as you to advance in serving and remembering Him at all times.”== ([[letters/1970/700315_ekayani|Ekayani, 15 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 * * ==“Yes, when you are out of your station you can carry these Deities, but so long you are in Hamburg you will have very== * * ==little time to arrange separately for worship. When a householder is not in touch with the temple, then he can have separate worship at home== *.” ([[letters/1970/700418_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 18 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 “Regarding your question about Lord Jagannatha and Lord Krsna, Jagannatha is Krsna. Krsna's childhood up to his fifteenth year He lives in Vrndavana. Radharani is His childhood friend. But Krsna, after returning to His father's home at Dvaraka, came to see Kuruksetra during some solar eclipse. At that time His sister Subhadra and brother Balarama also came in a chariot, and this incidence is worshiped as Jagannatha Rathayatra. The conclusion is that Jagannatha and Krsna are the same. So Krsna, when He is with His brother and sister, He is Jagannatha, and when He is with His village girlfriends that is Radha-Krsna with *gopis* . So Whom-ever you worship, it is the same, but if you like to worship Jagannatha you can continue it and it is as good as worshiping Radha-Krsna. ==Krsna has so many forms, and whichever form you worship it is all the same, but you should worship that form which you like the most.”== ([[letters/1970/700515_tamala_krsna|Tamala, 15 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 ** ==“Regarding your question how to carry your Deities to different places with you, you should of course always carry Them personally if at all possible in a small box or cabinet for the purpose. Then when you come to another temple you may place Them on the altar with the other Deities. That is nice.”== (SPL to Tamala, June 21st, 1970) 70-07 “Regarding your closing the temple in Providence during the very cold winter months and going to Florida at that time, yes you may do it, but in that case you may not install any Deities in the temple. Worship of Deities means special care must be there for regular uninterrupted service and the Deities cannot be moved from place to place. So you must have picture of Panca-tattva for worshiping and making offerings. This picture along with the *acarya* pictures may be carried from one place to another. ==Lord Caitanya is very kind and He accepts the simplest worship or simply sincere chanting of the holy name of Krsna.”== ([[letters/1970/700708_manager_of_security_pacific_bankb|Sridhama, 8 July, 1970]]) *** 71-12 ** ==“Regarding your questions, it is not very good to put ’statues' of Radha-Krsna on a shelf. If They are not worshiped as Deities what is the use of such display? Visitors will get the wrong idea that They are merely decorative figures or idols, that we do not take Them very seriously. “Why you do not worship Them on the altar?”== (SPL to Patita Uddharana, December 8th, 1971) 72-04 “Mr. Bajoria will be a very good example. ==If the leading men of every city takes this example of installing== * * ==Radha-Krsna Deities in the home exactly as in our temple, then== * * ==our preaching will be very successful.== **But they must learn the art of worshiping and following the regulative principles from us. As soon as they employ hired priests, the whole thing will be spoiled. Members of the household should learn to worship the Deity as we are doing, following the regulative principles, then it will be successful. We want every house to be a temple, not that our place should be the only place for the people to come. No, this should be the process: that they learn at our place, then establish the same thing at home. So this Bajoria program should be considered as one of our successful points of preaching, so he should be encouraged, but he should be requested at the same time to have no hired priests, then it will spoil.” (SPL to Bhavananda, April 14th, 1972) 73-03 * * ==“For worshiping the banyan tree, the representation of Krsna, simply offer a== * * ==little== ** ==flower, incense and water.”== ([[letters/1973/730306_abhirama|Abhirama, 6 March, 1973]]) *** 73-04 “I am very much disturbed to hear of (name withheld) activities, and I advise you that so long he is engaged in these nonsense activities, you should not have any association with him. Best thing is that you remain in the association of devotees, and take part in the temple worship here, not separately. Worship of Radha and Krsna is no cheap thing. It cannot be done whimsically, but it must be very carefully executed under strict regulation. Not that there can be LSD taking and all sinful activities, and then Deity worship. ==I have made it a point that unless one is able to keep to the same standard that is kept here at the temple, he should not worship the Deity separately.== **Best thing is to keep a Guru-Gauranga altar at home and take part in the Deity worship program at the temple. You have got a very big responsibility to give your daughters a good Krsna conscious atmosphere for developing into nice devotees. If you also take up these sinful activities and neglect the principles of Krsna consciousness, then that is a great misfortune. Your first consideration must be to see that your children become Krsna conscious, and if your husband will not take this responsibility, then what can be done? Simply you must keep to the principles, and pray to Krsna to help you.” (SPL to (name withheld), April 25th, 1973) 74-05 ==“As for the grhasthas worshiping Gaura Nitai Deities, that is only for those who live far away from the temple and cannot attend. Otherwise such worship is redundant. There is already Deity worship going on in the temple and they should attend the aratis, not install their own Deities. The householding community in Los Angeles or any of our temples, is not meant to be independent from the temple program.”== ([[letters/1974/740501_jayatirtha|Jayatirtha, 1 May, 1974]]) *** 74-05 ** ==“The impression of Lord Caitanya's feet which you have brought from India may be kept in a picture, not that it is worshiped as a Deity. Keep it as picture.”== ([[letters/1974/740501_jayatirtha|Jayatirtha, 1 May, 1974]]) *** 74-06 * * ==“Regarding your Deity. So long as you are not living separately, you may put your Deity on the regular temple altar, and as they are caring for the Deity and feeding and dressing and cleansing, so the temple== * * ==pujari may also give your Deity the proper care and worship.”== ([[letters/1974/740609_nandalal|Nandalal, 9 June, 1974]]) *** 74-08 ==“It is good, and it is also a good idea of bringing the Deity of== * * ==Gaura-Nitai with you, as you have suggested, in a chest. That is how Indian== * * ==sadhus carry their Deity. They have one chest, and they use the chest on which to put the Deity by opening the doors of the chest.”== ([[letters/1974/740808_dayananda|Tripurari dasa, 8 August, 1974]]) *** 74-12 “Regarding Ganesa *puja,* I have received some letters from persons requesting to also perform it. I have explained to them that ultimately it is not required, but ==if you have some sentiment to get the blessings of== * * ==Ganesa in order to get huge sums of money for service of== * * ==Krsna, then it can be done, but privately.== ** ==I have instructed them that if they want to do it, they must send me at least 100,000 dollars monthly—not less.”== ([[letters/1974/741231_hansadutta|Gurukrpa Svami, 31 December, 1974]]) *** 75-02 ** ==“Regarding Rudra dasa, he can worship Gaura-Nitai in his home. The most important element for Their worship is the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra. They can have at least one arati and whatever foodstuffs are prepared can be offered.”== ([[letters/1975/750215_svarupa_damodara|Govardhana dasa, 15 February, 1975]]) *** 75-08 * * ==“It is a very good idea that you have to be more== * * ==attached to the Deities above marriage. But, it is not good to live at home because that is where meat is eaten. That will be offensive,== **so how can you worship the Deity under such circumstances. If your whole family become devotees, then that is another thing. Actually I think that you can move from the Lord Jagannatha Deities to the Gaura-Nitai Deities if that is your desire. That will be best.” ([[letters/1975/750807_dr._y.g._naik|Candradevi dasi, 7 August, 1975]]) *** 76-04 “I am here in your temple, I'm feeling your separation. But, I'm seeing everything is going nicely, the same as when it was under your management. The devotees here, they are jumping and dancing very nicely. You can also establish the *kirtana* hall on the farm and install Gaura-Nitai Deities. ==Gaura-Nitai can be established anywhere, and it is simple to worship Them. Simply chant before Their Lordships. He doesn't mind that you have not decorated very nicely, but if you chant and dance, He is very pleased.”== ([[letters/1976/760421_puranjana|Madhudvisa Maharaja, 21 April, 1976]]) ==76-05 “As regards to your desire for Sada-bhuja Deity, if you divert your attention to worship, that will not be good. Time is short. You can keep one picture for your darsana.”== ([[letters/1976/760516_gopala_krsna|Yasodanandana Maharaja, 16 May, 1976]]) *** 76-10 “There is nothing mystical about getting Gaura-Nitai Deities for worshiping. The Lord is all powerful and omnipresent, He knows the heart of the devotee and reciprocates with the devotee accordingly. ==So== now the Lord has come to your home and agreed to be worshiped by you, therefore everything should be clean and neat. Nice prasadam should be offered regularly and distributed to guests.== *Kirtana* may be performed morning and evening and some discussion from *Bhagavad-gita* As *It Is,* or other books from our publications.” ([[letters/1976/761015_dr._r.m._dave|Sacimata Prabhu, 15 October, 1976]]) *** 77-01 “It is nice that you are enthusiastically engaged in New York. I have no objection to your worshiping my *murti* for Guru *Puja.* But for placing in the temple there must be a pair of *murtis, (my Guru Maharaja must be there) as in Krsna-Balarama Mandira, and they must be permanently installed. This may be done in accord with the temple authorities. Or else ==you may worship one murti of myself privately in your room.”== ([[letters/1977/770113_sudama|Sudama, 13 January, 1977]]) ## Miscellaneous instructions ==68-02 “Yes,== ** ==it is respectful to circumambulate the temple, keeping your right side to the Deities if possible. You may dance around the temple in this way if you like.”== (SPL to Karunamayi, February 25th, 1968) ==68-08 “Regarding Murali Manohara murti, I== * * ==understand that the Patels are ready to present silver murti, but we cannot worship, Murali Manohara alone, without being accompanied by His most favorite consort,== * * ==Radharani.== * * You know that we worship Radha's Krsna. We should always understand that Krsna is sold to the loving service of Radha, therefore Krsna cannot be alone. And the Gaudiya Vaisavas they want to see Krsna as Radha's property. Therefore, if Mr. Patel can present a pair of Radha-Krsna * murtis, * not less than 18” in height, never mind even They are made of yellow brass metal, that will be very nice. And if They are made of silver, that is still more nice. And it will be my great pleasure to install the * murtis* in the temple as soon as They are ready.” (SPL to Jayananda, August 17th, 1968) 68-11 ** ==“Murti means a worshipable statue.”== ([[letters/1968/681106_jadurani|Jadurani, 6 November, 1968]]) *** 69-02 ** ==“The picture of Kartamasi which you have sent is very nice. Kartamasi is becoming very popular in every center. That is a good sign.”== ([[letters/1969/690205_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 5 February, 1969]]) *** 69-04 * * ==“I am very glad to learn that Kartamasi is now very nicely dressed. Govinda== * * ==dasi is surely a good artist,== ** ==so I am sure Kartamasi is very attractive. Please offer my obeisances to Him.”== ([[letters/1969/690425_dinesh|Govinda dasi and Gaurasundara, 25 April, 1969]]) *** 69-10 ** ==“Regarding the picture of Lord Caitanya which is outside of your temple, this is not good. We should not place our worshipable Deities as statues in the open atmosphere.”== (SPL to Jagadisa, October 11th, 1969) 69-10 “Regarding the Jagannatha mask, it is not bona fide. ==The Foot print of Krsna is all right. You can keep it by the throne and while taking care of the Deities you also wash the Foot, wipe it and put it back.== **Generally this is done with a little sandalwood pulp. There are markings on the chest and feet of the Personality of Godhead. That is the distinction between Him and ordinary living entities. Just like in our palms there are certain marks for a particular person indicating his fame and fortune, similarly the Supreme Personality of Godhead has got certain signs on His lotus feet which are unique for Him only, and they are not to be found in ordinary living entities. In Vaikuntha all the inhabitants have exactly the same bodily features as Narayana, but Narayana is made distinct by the mark on His chest and lotus feet. The goddess of fortune recognizes Her husband by these symptoms. That is the version of devotees.” ([[letters/1969/691028_bhurijana|Bhurijana, 28 October, 1969]]) *** 70-02 ==“Regarding your questions about the difference between the picture of== * * ==Krsna and the Deity== * ,* ==Krsna is equally there in both these forms.== * * Krsna is so kind that He agrees to appear, for the benefit of the conditioned souls, in eight different kinds of forms. Such form is called *arca* or the form of the Lord manifested through material agency as metal, earth, wood, painting, stone, jewel, drawing and mind. The *arca* is accepted as incarnation of God and is worshiped by regulations. Generally the installed Deities are so worshiped and the regulative principles should be strictly followed in regard to Them.” ([[letters/1970/700219_linda|Linda, 19 February, 1970]]) *** 71-03 * * ==“Also very soon I shall send you one complete set of instructions on worshiping the Deity and you can print in English and distribute. This book shall be named== * * ==’Method of Worship.’”== (SPL to Satsvarupa, May 13th, 1971) 71-05 * * ==“So far as taking care of the Deities and your family simultaneously, you have to do both mutually, but the main importance is Deity worship. Just like a busy housewife always busy in household affairs, yet still she is engaged in dressing herself nicely, combing her hair, etc. So both things go together== * .* ==”== ([[letters/1971/710501_laksmimoni|Laksmimoni, 1 May, 1971]]) ==71-05 “Regarding the proposed book Method of Worship, I have not had time to prepare it here. So when I return to USA, and again begin to write my books, my first business will be this.”== (SPL to Satsvarupa, May 26th, 1971) 71-09 “ Krsna has blessed you with a very * * nice child, Ananga dasi, and I am very * * much pleased to note how she has got some affection for Lord Jagannatha. That is very * * nice. And actually there is no harm in her playing with Jagannatha but ==how the Deity will be kept from being mishandled or kept in a dirty place or even thrown away at the whim of the child? You cannot always check her. Therefore to such a small child the Deity of Lord Jagannatha should not be given== * .* Let her grow up a little so that she can follow some instruction in this connection and then you can give her.” (SPL to Saradiya devi, September 25th, 1971) ==72-06 If you have a crown dipped in gold for the Bombay Deities, you must keep Them very carefully.== I understand that some time ago one crown was stolen from Krsna's head despite the presence of one *brahmacari* who was sleeping there and did not even hear the thief coming. So we must take very great precaution to always protect the Deities from all kinds of danger. One thing is, if we make our Deity worship program extremely opulent and gorgeous, and if all of the devotees are always attending *arati* and holding *kirtana* in front of the Deities, that will be the best program for attracting the Indian people to Krsna consciousness movement. So you try to give the *pujaris* all assistance to improve the standard of Deity worship and always render Radha and Krsna the most sincere attention.” (*SPL to Giriraja, 8th, June, 1972) *** 72-06 ** ==“I understand from Yamuna that our Gaurachand Goswami feels still that we are unfit to render service to the Deity, so let him think like that, we don't care.== We are worshiping Deity in 100 places and we become unfit in Radha-Damodara? Why we are unfit? If you are beautiful Americans with good education and very pious and pure, and if you have got all qualities of Vaisnava, why you are not fit? ==We think we are quite fit.”== ([[letters/1972/720612_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 12 June, 1972]]) ==72-06 “To answer your questions, the Deities in London, New York, etc. are not mentioned in Teachings Of Lord Caitanya, the Deities mentioned there were before these Deities were installed. In Caitanya-caritamrta, there it is mentioned that all over the world there are to be found many Deities. They may be covered by flood, devastation, and so on.”== ([[letters/1972/720628_acyutananda|Acyutananda, 28 June, 1972]]) *** 72-12 * * ==“Regarding your question, what is the difference between Krsna and the Deity, that is nonsense. There is no difference between Krsna and the Deity. Anyone who sees such difference, he has not understood the philosophy.== * * There is nothing like inside and outside the Deity. This is Dr. Radhakrishnan's philosophy: 'It is not to the Krsna, but to the inside Krsna.’” ([[letters/1972/721214_visvambhara|Visvambhara, 14 December, 1972]]) *** 73-03 ** ==“... try to help him. He is a good boy and he will come out again very nicely. But he must marry that girl, we cannot play with sex-life, that is not our business. If he shows he is faithful for three months, then he again can take care of Radha-Krsna.”== ([[letters/1973/730304_trai|Bhakta dasa, 4 March, 1973]]) *** 74-04 * * ==“Your idea to have Hari Goswami conduct a Deity worship class starting July 1st is a good, welcome idea.== * * One defect in Hari Goswami is that although he wants to cooperate he wants to keep himself a little aloof as a *gosvami.* I wish that he should mix with us with open mind, without reservation. Sometimes he hesitates to accept *prasadam* from us and he likes to cook for himself. If he desires to cook that means he keeps aloof. If he kindly teaches our men how to cook and worship the Deity and he also takes *prasadam* along with us it will be a great achievement. Of course it depends on his discretion, but if he keeps aloof from us that is not very much desirable. At least he should come forward on the *sastric* injunction: *arcye visnau sila-dhir gurusu, nara-matir vaisnave jati-buddhir.* I do not think there is any difference in the method of Deity worship he is teaching but you can also consult me.” ([[letters/1974/740424_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 24 April, 1974]]) *** 75-11 “Regarding the Nrsimhadeva Deity, yes, that can be done, however ==to worship Nrsimhadeva requires a separate temple structure, not that Lord Nrsimhadeva can be worshiped in the same temple as Radha-Krsna.== * * Regarding your question about offering * arati * to the form of Damodara, no, the Deity worship that you are now doing is sufficient during the Damodara-vrata. Regarding my head for the statue, that will appear in the museum, all of them, they are perfectly done. Locana has done very, very well. Yes, it is good if you prepare a mold so that these life-sized * murtis * can be available. I am sending these photographs with Surabhi to Jaipura for their making the * murtis * here for the Bombay temple. Regarding the fruit decorations, it is not proper for them to be on the head of the throne. This should not be done. Regarding * mrdanga * making, this is very, very important item. It will open a great scope of our activities, so it should be done very * * carefully. I want to see large production. I note the signatures of all your assistants and I very much appreciate their activities. Make them all experts. All of them require to be experts because they will have to go to all centers because we want to have this transcendental exhibition in all our centers around the world.” ([[letters/1975/751118_mr._mohan_majundar|Baradraja dasa, 18 November, 1975]]) *** 75-12 “No! you have made some discovery. All along you have been hearing the recording of Yamuna devi and now you want to change. It is not ordinary singing, it is concert, many people are singing, so it is not bad. Just like *sankirtana,* many voices are there, men and women, so it is the same thing, *sankirtana.* I approve of it. ==Here in Krsna Balarama temple we are hearing the same recording every morning, so if it is good here why not there?”== ([[letters/1975/751212_vishvambar_dayala|Jayasacinandana dasa, 12 December, 1975]]) *** 76-01 ** ==“The new Sixth Canto Bhagavatams are very nice. Yes, actually They are worshipable Deities. Be careful that our books do not appear like Bible printing. Sometimes the Christians also put gold gilding on their books, but people are averse to purchasing Bibles. Neither our books should be given free, there must be some remuneration, otherwise it will be like Bible selling.”== ([[letters/1976/760103_ramesvara_prabhu|Ramesvara, 3 January, 1976]]) ==76-01 “Please let me know how the mukhut department is going to be managed? “Who is the manager and what is the management scheme?”== ([[letters/1976/760113_jayatirtha|Aksayananda Maharaja, 13 January, 1976]]) *** 76-05 ==“Concerning the domes, the domes must be over the three Deities. The domes should not be brought to the front of the building. Their place is over the Deities, whether they are visible to the passer-by or not.”== ([[letters/1976/760519_jayapataka|Upendra dasa, 19 May, 1976]]) *** 76-09 ** ==“The Nrsimhadeva Deity should have Hiranyakasipu and Prahlada and should be simple, not very complex.”== ([[letters/1976/760918_dr._b.n._shukla|Tusta Krsna, 18 September, 1976]])