The Importance of Deity Worship
From Sanatana Gosvami's Brhad Bhagavatamrta - Chapter Four - Vaikuntha
Text 202
sri-gopa-kumara uvaca
prstam mayedam bhagavan dhara-tale
tisthanti yah sri-pratima maha-prabhoh
tah sac-cid-ananda-ghanas taya mata
mladri-nathah purusottamo yatha
Translation
sri-gopa-kumarah - Gopa-kumara; uvaca-said; prstam - asked; maya - by me; idam - this; bhagavan - O lord; dhara-tale - on the surface of the earth; tisthanti-stnad; yah-who; sri-pratimah-the Deity forms; maha-prabhoh-of the Supreme Lord; tah-they; sat-cid-ananda-ghanah-full of etenrity, knowledge, and bliss; taya-by which;matah-considered; niladri-nathah-the Lord of Nilacala; purusottamah-Lord Jagannatha; yatha-as.
Sri Gopa-kumara said: I asked him: O lord, are the Lord's Deity forms on the earth all eternal and full of knowledge and bliss as is the form of Lord Jagannatha, the master of Nilacala?
Text 203
eko 'pi bhagavan sandra-
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
krpaya tatra tatraste
tat-tad-rupena lilaya
kah - one; api - indeed; bhagavan - the Lord; sandra-sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah - whose form is full of eternity, knowledge, and bliss; krpaya-mercifully; tatra tatra - in many places; aste - stays; tat-tad-rupena-in various forms; lilaya - in His pastimes.
Although the Lord, whose form is filled with eternity, knowledge, and bliss, is one, in His pastimes He appears in many places in many different forms.
Text 204
tat sarva-nairapeksyena
ko dosah syat tad-arcane
kathancit kriyamane 'pi
maha-labho 'pi budhyate
tat - that; sarva - everything; nairapeksyena - by rejecting; kah - what; dosah - fault; syat - is; tad-arcane - in worshiping the Deity; kathancit - somehow; kriyamane - is done; api - even; maha - great; labhah -attainment; api - even; budhyate - is known.
By renouncing everything and worshiping the Deity what mistake is done? When the Deity is worshiped one becomes aware of a great gain.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the "everything" here is material piety, fruitive work, yoga, and other things like them.
Text 205
tatah katham puranebhyah
sruyante tat-tad-uktayah
apramanam ca ta na syur
mahan-mukha-vinihsrtah
tatah - then; katham - why; puranebhyah-from the Puranas; sruyante-are heard; tat-tad-uktayah-many statements; apramanam - not evidence; ca-also; tah-they; na- not; syuh-are; mahat-of the great souls; mukha - from the mouths; vinihsrtah - come.
Why, then, do we hear from the Puranas so many statements contradicting this These statements cannot be rejected as evidence, for they have come from the mouths of great souls.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.47, 3.29.22, and 3.29.24 as examples of scriptural statements that minimize the importance of Deity worship.
अर्चायामेव हरये पूजां य: श्रद्धयेहते ।
न तद्भक्तेषु चान्येषु स भक्त: प्राकृत: स्मृत: ॥ ४७ ॥
arcāyām eva haraye
pūjāṁ yaḥ śraddhayehate
na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu
sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ
Synonyms
arcāyām — Deity; eva — certainly; haraye — to Lord Hari; pūjām — worship; yaḥ — who; śraddhayā — faithfully; īhate — engages; na — not; tat — of Kṛṣṇa; bhakteṣu — toward the devotees; ca — and; anyeṣu — toward people in general; saḥ — he; bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ — materialistic devotee; smṛtaḥ — is called.
Translation
A devotee who faithfully engages in the worship of the Deity in the temple but does not behave properly toward other devotees or people in general is called a prākṛta-bhakta, a materialistic devotee, and is considered to be in the lowest position.
यो मां सर्वेषु भूतेषु सन्तमात्मानमीश्वरम् ।
हित्वार्चां भजते मौढ्याद्भस्मन्येव जुहोति स: ॥ २२ ॥
yo māṁ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
santam ātmānam īśvaram
hitvārcāṁ bhajate mauḍhyād
bhasmany eva juhoti saḥ
Synonyms
yaḥ — one who; mām — Me; sarveṣu — in all; bhūteṣu — living entities; santam — being present; ātmānam — the Paramātmā; īśvaram — the Supreme Lord; hitvā — disregarding; arcām — the Deity; bhajate — worships; mauḍhyāt — because of ignorance; bhasmani — into ashes; eva — only; juhoti — offers oblations; saḥ — he.
Translation
One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramātmā, is situated in every living entity’s heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into ashes.
अहमुच्चावचैर्द्रव्यै: क्रिययोत्पन्नयानघे ।
नैव तुष्येऽर्चितोऽर्चायां भूतग्रामावमानिन: ॥ २४ ॥
aham uccāvacair dravyaiḥ
kriyayotpannayānaghe
naiva tuṣye ’rcito ’rcāyāṁ
bhūta-grāmāvamāninaḥ
Synonyms
aham — I; ucca-avacaiḥ — with various; dravyaiḥ — paraphernalia; kriyayā — by religious rituals; utpannayā — accomplished; anaghe — O sinless mother; na — not; eva — certainly; tuṣye — am pleased; arcitaḥ — worshiped; arcāyām — in the Deity form; bhūta-grāma — to other living entities; avamāninaḥ — with those who are disrespectful.
Translation
My dear mother, even if he worships with proper rituals and paraphernalia, a person who is ignorant of My presence in all living entities never pleases Me by the worship of My Deities in the temple.
Comment by MGDAS: One can clearly understand that these verses warn devotees to not become proud by giving a description of devotees who have a limited understanding of deity worship and devotional service, and it is not to diminish deity worship in any way.
Text 206
tac chrutvoktam prabhoh puja-
margadi-gurunamuna
utthaya paramanan
danmam aslisyedam uttaram
Synonyms
tat - that; srutva - having heard; uktam - said; prabhoh - of the Lord; puja - of Deity worship; marga - the path; adi - beginning with; guruna - guru; amuna - by this; utthaya - rising; parama-anandat - from transcendental bliss; mam - me; aslisya - embracing; idam - this; uttaram - reply.
Hearing this, he who is the guru of the path of Deity worship stood up, embraced me with great bliss, and replied.
Texts 207-209
sri-narada uvaca
pratima ya mayoddistah saksad bhagavata samahtasam arcana-mahatmyam tavad astam su-duratahadyam adhumkim varcam sva-dharmady-anapeksayasaksac chri-bhagavad-buddhya bhajatam krtrmam apina patityadi-dosah syad guna eva mahan matahsevottama mata bhaktih phalam ya paramam mahat
Synonyms
sri-naradah uvaca - Sri Narada said; pratimah - Deities; yah - who; maya - by me; uddistah - described; saksat - directly; bhagavata - by the Lord; samah - equal; tasam - of them; arcana - of the worship; mahatmyam - the glorification; tavat - then; astam-is; su-duratah - from very far away; adyam - beginning with; adhunikim - present; vacyam - statement; sva-dharma - own religion; adi - beginning with; anapeksaya - in relationship; saksat - directly; sri-bhagavat - the Lord; buddhya - with the conception; bhajatam - of they who worship; krtrmam - artificial; api - also; na - not; patitya - falling; adi - beginning with; dosah - fault; syat - is; gunah - virtue; eva - indeed; mahan - great; matah - is considered; seva - service; uttama - highest; mata - is considered; bhaktih- devotional service; phalam - result; ya - which; paramam - great; mahat - great.
Translation
Sri Narada said: I have already explained that the Deity forms of the Lord are the same as the Lord Himself. Deity worship is very glorious. They who, aware that the Deity is the Lord Himself, worship the Deity, even though they neglect other duties, and even though their worship is not sincere, do not fall down. They have no faults. Their merits are very great. their devotional service is thought to be the greatest. They attain a very great result.
Text 210
siddhih syad bhagavad-drstyatrna-sammananad api sakrd-uccaranan nama-bhasasya sravanat tatha
Synonyms
siddhih-perfection; syat-is; bhagavat-of the Lord; drstya-by the sight; trna-of Tulasi; sammananat-from worship; api-also; sakrt-once; uccaranat-from calling out; nama-of the name; abhasasya-of thr reflection; sravanat-from hearing; tatha - so.
Translation
By seeing the Diety, by worshiping Tulasi, or by once chanting or hearing even the reflection of the holy name, one may attain perfection.Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the worship of Tulasi begins with watering her and bowing down to offer respects to her.
Text 211
kutas tat-smarake tasya- dhisthane mantra-samskrtesarva-bhakti-pade pujya- mane dosadi-tarkanam
Synonyms
kutah-where; tat-smarake-in a reminder of Him; tasya-of Him; adhisthane-in establishing; mantra-a mantra; samskrte-properly done; sarva-all; bhakti-of devotional service; pade-in the realm; pujyamane-worshiped; dosa-adi-faults; tarkanam-conception.
Translation
How can there be any fault with worship of the Lord's Deity form, whose form reminds one of the Lord, who is properly installed with mantras, and who is the object of all activities of devotional service?
Text 212
kadapi krsna-pratimarcanavatamna sambhavet krsna-paresv anadarahghateta cet karhy api tad-visaktito grnanti nagas tad ami stavanty
athakadapi-sometimes; krsna - of Lord Krsna; pratima - of the Deity; arcanavatam-of they who worship; na-not; sambhavet-may be possible; krsna-paresu-among they who are devoted to Lord Krsna; anadarah-disrespect; ghateta-may be; cet-if; karhy api-somewhere; tad - visaktitah-attachment; grnanti - takes; na -not; agah - sin; tat - that; ami - they; stavanty - offer prayers; atha-then.
Translation
They who worship the Deity of Lord Krsna never offend the devotees of Lord Krsna. If somehow they do offend them, the devotees do not take offense, but rather praise their attachment to the Lord.
Texts 213 and 210
ye tu tat-pratimam nutnam adhisthanam harer itibheda-drstyatha sailadi- buddhya sampujayanti hina manayanti tad-bhaktan sarva-bhutavamaninahpuja-garvena vedajnam atikramanti ca
prabhohye-who; tu-indeed; tat-pratimam-the Deity; nutnam-new; adhisthanam- established; hareh-of Lord Hari; iti-thus; bheda-drstya-seeing as different; atha- then; saila-stone; adi-beginning with; buddhya-with the conception; sampujayanti- they worship; hi-indeed; na-not; manayanti-respect; tad-bhaktan-the devotees; sarva-bhuta-everyone; avamaninah-disrespecting; puja-of worship; garvena-with pride; veda-of the Vedas; ajnam-the orders; atikramanti-flout; ca-and; prabhoh-of the Lord.
Translation
They who, seeing the Deity as different from the Lord Himself and thinking the Deity as made of stone or some other material, worship the Deity of Lord Hari, do not respect the Lord's devotees. Disrespectful to all, and proud of their worship, they rebel against the Lord's commandments in the Vedas.
Text 215
ta eva sarva-bhaktebhyonyunas te manda-buddhayahpuja-phalam na vindanti ta eva hi yathoditam
te-they; eva-indeed; sarva-bhaktebhyah-from all the devotees; nyunah-the least; te-they; manda-slow; buddhayah-intelligence; puja-of worship; phalam-the fruit; na-not; vindanti-find; te-they; eva-indeed; hi-indeed; yatha-as; uditam-manifested.
Translation
They are the least of all the devotees. Their intelligence is slow. They do not find the fruits of their worship.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that they are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.47 and 9.7.11.
Texts 216 and 217
yadyapy asesa-sat-karma- phalato 'dhikam uttamamtesam api phalaty eva tat-puja-phalam atmanatathapi bhagavad-bhakti- yogyam na jayate phalamiti sadhu-varais tat tat tatra tatra vinindyate
yadyapi - although; asesa - all; sat - pious; karma - deeds; phalatah-than the fruits; adhikam-better; uttamam - best; tesam - of them; api - also; phalati-bears fruit; eva- certainly; tat - of them; puja-of the worship; phalam - fruit; atmana - by the self; tathapi - still; bhagavat - to the Lord; bhakti - to devotional service; yogyam - proper; na - not; jayate - is born; phalam - the fruit; iti - thus; sadhu-varaih-by the best saintly persons; tat tat - this and that; tatra tatra - here and there; vinindyate - is criticized.
Translation
Although the transcendental fruit of their Deity-worship is greater than the fruits of all ordinary pious deeds, they do not attain the real fruit that comes from service to the Lord. For this reason the saintly devotees criticize their method of worship in different ways and in different places.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that the real fruits of devotional service are love for Lord Krsna's lotus feet, attainment of Lord Krsna's planet, seeing the Lord, and enjoying pastimes with Him.
Text 218
tani tani puranadi-vacanany akhilany api tat-tad-visayakany evamanyasva na tu sarvatah
tani tani-various; purana-adi-beginning with the Puranas; vacanani-statements; akhilani-all; api-also; tat-tat-various; visayakani-subjects; eva-indeed; manyasva- consider; na-not; tu-indeed; sarvatah-in all ways.
Translation
Although all the statements of the Puranas and other scriptures (condemn them), don't think everyone who worships the Lord's Deity-form is like them.
Texts 219 and 220
te 'pi nunam na tam pujamtyaj eyur yadi sarvatha tada tan-nisthaya cittesodhite guna-darsinamkrpaya krsna-bhaktanam praksinasesa-dusanahkalena kiyata te 'pi bhavanti paramottamah
te-they; api-also; nunam-indeed; na-not; tam-this; pujam-worship; tyajeyuh- renounce; yadi-if; sarvatha-in all respects; tada-then; tat-of them; nisthaya-with faith; citte-in the heart; sodhite-purified; guna-the virtues; darsinam-of they who see; krpaya-by the mercy; krsna-of Lord Krsna; bhaktanam-of the devotees; praksina - withered; asesa - all; dusanah - faults; kalena - time; kiyata - in some; te - they; api - also; bhavanti -become; parama-uttamah - great souls.
Translation
If they do not abandon their worship, then by the mercy of the Lord's devotees, who see the good in others, all the faults in their hearts, now purified by their faith, are destroyed and in time they become the greatest devotees.
Text 221
yatha sakama-bhakta hi
bhuktva tat-kamitam phalam
kale bhakti-prabhavena
yogyam vindanti tat-phalam
yatha-as; sakama-with material desires; bhaktah - devotees; hi - indeed; bhuktva- having enjoyed; tat-kamitam-desired by them; phalam - the fruit; kale-in time; bhakti-prabhavena - by the power of devotional service; yogyam - proper; vindanti- they find; tat-phalam-the fruit.
Translation
After enjoying what they desired, materialistic devotees, by the power of their devotional service, in time attain the real fruit of their service.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that material sense gratification is insignificant in comparison to the result obtained by devotional service.
Text 222
yatha ca tatra tat-kalam
bhakter yogyam na sat-phalam
sanjatam iti tac-chuddha-
bhaktimadbhir vinindyate
yatha - as; ca - also; tatra - there; tat-kalam - that time; bhakteh - of devotional service; yogyam - proper; na - not; sat-phalam - the transcendental fruit; sanjatam-born; iti - thus; tat-that; suddha-pure; bhaktimadbhih - by devotees; vinindyate - is criticized.
Translation
Because in this way one does not immediately attain the fruit of devotional service, the pure devotees criticize the first result of the materialistic devotees efforts.
Text 223
te hi bhakteh phalam mulam bhagavac-caranabjayohsada sandarsana-krida- nanda-labhadi manvate
te - they; hi - indeed; bhakteh - of devotional service; phalam - the fruit; mulam - the root; bhagavat - of the Lord; carana - feet; abjayoh - of the lotus; sada - eternally; sandarsana - seeing; krida - pastimes; ananda - bliss; labha - attainment; adi - beginning with; manvate - consider.
Translation
They who are devoted to the Lord's lotus feet think the real fruit of devotional service is is the bliss of always seeing, enjoying pastimes with, and serving in many ways the Supreme Lord.
Text 224
napi tatra sahante te
vilambam lava-matrakam
bhagavan api tan hatum
manag api na saknuyat
na - not; api - also; tatra - there; sahante - tolerate; te - they; vilambam-delay; lava-matrakam - of a moment; bhagavan - the Lord; api - also; tan - them; hatum - to abandon; manak - slightly; api - also; na -not; saknuyat - is able.
Translation
They cannot bear even a moment's delay. The Lord also cannot bear to leave them for even a moment.
Text 225
ato 'nyany ati-tucchani
sarva-kama-phalani hi
muktis ca sulabhany asmat
tad-bhaktir na tu tadrsi
atah - then; anyani - others; ati-tucchani - very insignificant; sarva-kama-phalani- the fruits of all desires; hi-indeed; muktih-liberation; ca - also; sulabhani-easily attained; asmat-from that; tad-bhaktih - devotional service; na - not; tu - certainly; tadrsi - like that.
Translation
The fruits of all other desires are very insignificant in comparison. Liberation is easily attained, but devotional service is not.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that this is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.6.18.
Text 226
tat-prasadena bhaktanam
adhino bhagavan bhavet
iti svatantrya-hany eva
na tam dadyan mahesvarah
tat-prasadena - by its mercy; bhaktanam - of the devotees; adhinah - dependent; bhagavan-the Lord; bhavet - is; iti - thus; svatantrya - independence; hani - destroying; eva - indeed; na - not; tam - that; dadyat - gives; mahesvarah - the Supreme Lord.
Translation
By the mercy of devotional service the Lord is controlled by His devotees. Because it destroys His independence, the Lord does not bestow devotional service.
Text 227
manye maha-presthajananuvasyata
na duhkha-dosau vidadhita kaucana
kintu pramodam nija-bhakta-vatsala-
tvadin maha-kirti-gunams tanoti sa
manye - I think; maha-presthajana - the very dear devotees; auvasyata - being under the control; na - not; duhkha - of unhappiness; dosau - the fault; vidadhita - is placed; kaucana - some; kintu - however; pramodam -happiness; nija - own; bhakta - devotees; vatsalatva - love; adin - beginning with; maha - great; kirti-glory; gunan - virtues; tanoti - grants; sa - it.
Translation
I think that being under the control of His dear devotees is not a fault for the Lord. Neither does it make Him unhappy. I brings Him happiness. It increases His glories, which begin with His love for His devotees.
Srila Sanatana Gosvami explains that in the previous verses Narada Muni has been relating the opinions of others. In this verse he gives his own opinion.
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