PANCARATRIKA-PRAKACA

Dedication

This series is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who, by taking the order of his spiritual master as his life and soul, has so nicely presented throughout the world the teachings of the Six Gosvamis, including those of Srila Sanatana Goswami and Srila Gopala Bhatta Goswami in regard to the arcana process.

Preface

Soon after beginning the Krsna consciousness movement, Srila Prabhupada established the process of Deity worship as an integral aspect of his fledging society. Just as he delivered the message of Lord Krsna intact, he also presented the process of Deity worship intact, seeing it as a practical means of applying the basic principle of Krsna consciousness ‑ offering everything to Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada wanted the Deity worship in ISKCON to follow certain standards:

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. (letter from Srila Prabhupada, 13-3-71)

What's more, Srila Prabhupada wanted the level of worship in ISKCON temples to be very high, unlike that at so many temples in India, where standards were being lowered. Srila Prabhupada wrote:

"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." (letter from Srila Prabhupada, 18-11-71)

Thus the devotees were to worship the Deity not whimsically, but according to the instructions of the spiritual master. Only in this way would Krsna be pleased and the Krsna consciousness movement flourish. Otherwise, havoc would result:

"The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the Deities." (Letter from Srila Prabhupada, 4-1-73)

"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." (Letter from Srila Prabhupada, 13-11-7)

For the most part, however, it seems Srila Prabhupada was satisfied that his devotees were following his instructions faithfully.Thus Krsna gave them the intelligence to serve Him properly.

"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." (Letter from Srila Prabhupada, 10-11-75)

Lord Caitanya and the Gosvamis recommended the system of Deity worship Srila Prabhupada introduced into ISKCON. It is known as the paycaratrika system of Deity worship. He has demonstrated that the principles of Paycaratra are applicable for all Vaisnavas, regardless of background.

"The paycaratrika system has the most authorized codes for transcendental devotional service. The paycaratrika system is both practical and suitable for this age of quarrel. The Paycaratra is more important than the Vedanta for this modern age" (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.5.38, Purport).

The Padma-samhita, one of the major paycaratric texts, gives a history of the origin of Paycaratra, an account that clarifies the Paycaratra's superiority over the vaidika system of worship (in which Vedic mantras are used exclusively): After Lord Brahma had received the Vedic knowledge from Lord Visnu, but before he began the creation, two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha stole the Vedas from his mind. Brahma asked the Lord to instruct him again, in practical, conclusive knowledge by which he could worship the Lord in the absence of Vedic learning. The Lord taught him this knowledge in five nights, hence this body of knowledge is known as Paycaratra. (Panca means five, and ratra means night.)

Vaisnavas accept 108 Paycaratra texts as authoritative regarding initiation, daily duties, Deity worship, conduct, character of devotees, installation of Deities, and temple construction. Srila Sanatana Gosvami and Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, on Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's order, compiled a book of Vaisnava standards called Hari-bhakti-vilasa, based on the Paycaratra and numerous other texts. All bona-fide followers of Lord Caitanya accept the Hari-bhakti-vilasa as authoritative concerning arcana, or Deity worship.

"Devotees who actually engage in devotional service with faith and love are inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vaisnavas are never concerned with ritualistic smarta-brahmanas. Srila Sanatana Gosvami has therefore compiled Hari-bhakti-vilasa to guide the Vaisnavas who never follow the smarta-vidhi." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 8.20.14, purport)

Srila Prabhupada established Deity worship all over the world as an essential part of the Krsna Consciousness Movement. As this movement continues to expand by the grace of Lord Caitanya, this planet may one day be transformed into Vaikuntha a spiritual abode where,in every town and village, devotees worship Krsna's Deity form and chant His holy names. This book, assigned and approved by the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, is the first in a series of manuals on paycaratrika-vidhi for the members of the Society. A second volume will deal with naimittika-seva, or occasional worship, including festivals, Deity installation and other related subjects.

This book is published by the ISKCON-GBC PRESS, which prints books, manuals, and pamphlets authorized by, and on behalf of, the Governing Body Commission.

Acknowledgements

The members of the GBC Deity Worship Research Group wish to thank the numerous devotees who have given thoughtful and learned advice, and wishes to especially thank the following devotees for their kind assistance in bringing this book to completion:

Production: Narecvara dasa; <>

English editing: Dravida dasa; Krsna-rupa devi-dasi

Sanskrit editing: Gopiparanadhana dasa, Aja dasa; <>

Advising: Suhotra Swami; Rohini-kumara Swami

Artwork: Pada-sevana dasa; Gaura-prana dasa; Gopavrndapala dasa; Gaura-Krsna dasa <>; Bhakta Gary Snyder; Bhaktin Anamarija.

Computer assistance: Govinda dasa

Proofreading: Dhanagjaya dasa; Bhakta-rupa dasa; <>

Indexing: <>

We are grateful to the entire ISKCON community for its encouragement and patience in seeing this volume to completion. Thanks are also due to the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula Village and the Bhaktivedanta Research Institute in Mayapur which provided us with the facility where we compiled this book.

The GBC Deity Worship Research Group consists of the following members:

H. H. Jayapataka Swami

H. H. Bhanu Swami

H. H. Bhaktividya-purna Swami

H. G. Jananivasa dasa

H. G. Atma-tattva dasa

H. G. Astaratha dasa

H. G. Krsna-ksetra dasa (Coordinator)

The members of the Deity Worship Research Group welcome any suggestions for improvement of a future edition of this volume, as well as any questions you may have regarding the subject of this book. Please write to the Group Coordinator at this address:

"Nava-Jiyada-Nrsimha-Ksetra"

Zielberg 20

D-8391 Jandelsbrunn

Germany

(L3) Introduction

(L4) Why Perform Deity Worship?

Srila Rupa Gosvami has enumerated sixty-four activities by which a devotee in the beginning stage of devotional service (vaidhi sadhana-bhakti) can engage all his senses in the service of the Lord. Among these he has selected five as principal:

1. Hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam.

2. Association with advanced devotees.

3. Living in a sacred place, such as Mathura.

4. Chanting the holy name of the Lord.

5. Serving the Deity form of the Lord with great faith.

Practicing these items assures rapid advancement in devotional service, culminating in pure love for Krsna.

"'The power of these five principles is very wonderful and difficult to reconcile. Even without faith in them, a person who is offenseless can experience dormant love of Krsna simply by being a little connected with them.'" (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 22.133)

At least thirty-five of the remaining fifty-nine items are directly related to the worship of the Lord in His Deity form (arca-vigraha), Therefore the last of the five items (Deity worship) is especially significant, since it includes a wide range of activities devotees perform daily. In fact, this single item, arcana, is itself expanded into sixty-four activities, many of which, in turn, find their counterparts among the sixty-four aggas (limbs) of devotional service.

The Lord is Present in His Deity Form

Srila Rupa Gosvami specifically enjoins devotees to worship the Deity with "full faith:"

sraddha vicesatah pritih Sri-murter agghri-sevane

"'One should have full faith and love in worshiping the lotus feet of the Deity.'" (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 22.130)

This faith and love depend on a proper understanding of the Deity's identity:

pratima naha tumi, ‑ saksat vrajendra-nandana

"My dear Lord, You are not a statue; You are directly the son of Maharaja Nanda." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 5.96)

Out of His causeless mercy, the Lord appears in His arca-vigraha form so the conditioned souls can see Him and worship Him. By worshiping the arca-vigraha, the conditioned souls can engage all of their senses in devotional service. By enthusiastically performing sadhana-bhakti and observing all the regulations of arcana, devotees cultivate the understanding that Krsna is directly present in His Deity form.

As Srila Prabhupada says in the Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.12.17:

"Worship of the arca-vigraha is not idol worship. The arca-vigraha is an incarnation of the Lord in a form appreciable by a devotee. Therefore devotees engage in the temple in the service of the Lord as arca-vigraha, a form made of sthula (material) objects such as stone, metal, wood, jewels or paint. All of these are called sthula, or physical representations. Since the devotees follow the regulative principles of worship, even though the Lord is there in His physical form, He is nondifferent from His original, spiritual form. Thus the devotee gets the benefit of achieving the ultimate goal of life, that is to say, becoming always absorbed in thought of the Lord."

(L4) Definition and Goal of Arcana

The regulated worship of the arca-vigraha is one of the nine processes of devotional service Prahlada Maharaja lists in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Rupa Gosvami gives a specific definition of arcana in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.37.137):

cuddhi-nyasadi-prvagga- karma-nirvaha-purvakam

arcanam tupacaranam syan mantrenopapadanam

"Arcana is defined as offering of upacaras (articles of worship) with mantra after having performed preliminary purificatory activities (purvagga-karmas) such as bhuta-cuddhi and nyasas (kara-nyasa, and so on)."

According to Srila Rupa Gosvami's definition of arcana, Deity worship includes a variety of activities, some of which may appear rather technical or even "ritualistic." But if one keeps the goal of Deity worship clearly in mind, then the different aspects of arcana, with its various technical rules and regulations, will be found to serve their purpose, which is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we understand the meaning of arcana-namely formal and regulated offering of respect and service to the Lord-then we may undertake the process of arcana with full faith, enthusiastically performing the presSribed procedures of purification, establishing different articles of worship, and offering worship. Then we will attain the goal of worship - love of Godhead.

Following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Prabhupada has complete instructions on the principles of arcana in both his writings and personal teachings to disciples. He has also given many details of Deity worship that he intended the devotees to follow. These detailed regulations are all meant to help the devotees become firmly fixed in the primary regulation of devotional service, as the Padma Purana states:

smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit

sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kigkarah

"Lord Visnu [or Krsna] should always be remembered and never forgotten at any time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the castras should be the servants of these two principles."

(L4) Paycaratrika-vidhi and Bhagavata-vidhi

Lord Caitanya has taught that the primary means of God realization in the Age of Kali is to hear and chant the holy names of the Lord. Therefore hari-nama-kirtana is the essence of all practices by which one can attain constant remembrance of Krsna. Still, though devotees can come to perfection simply by taking shelter of the holy name, authorities have advised us to engage in Deity worship as an auxiliary sadhana to kirtana, for arcana helps reduce material contamination and nondevotional tendencies. It also brings steadiness to the materially agitated mind, for it impells us to engage many of our senses in directly serving the Lord's all-attractive form.

The following citations illustrate the importance Srila Prabhupada placed on Deity worship:

"Sometimes neophyte devotees think that they can continue the cravana-kirtana process without worshiping the Deity, but the execution of cravana-kirtana is meant for highly developed devotees like Haridasa Thakura, who engaged in the cravana-kirtana process without worshiping the Deity. However, one should not falsely imitate Haridasa Thakura and abandon Deity worship just to try to engage in cravana-kirtana." (C.c. Madhya 19.152, Purport)

"Deity worship should be continued along with hearing and chanting. In all the mantras there are specific potencies, of which the grhastha devotees must take advantage....But if one chants the holy name of the Lord he receives the result of chanting namah [i.e. Deity mantras] many times. By chanting the holy name of the Lord one can reach the platform of love of Godhead...One might therefore ask what then is the necessity of being initiated [by which one receives Deity mantras]. The answer is that even though the chanting of the holy name is sufficient to enable one to progress in spiritual life to the standard of love of Godhead, one is nonetheless susceptible to contamination because of possessing a material body. Consequently, special stress is given to the arcana-vidhi. One should therefore regularly take advantage of both the bhagavata process and paycaratriki process." (Bhag. 7.5.28, Purport)

Temple worship strongly emphasises the aspect of vaidhi bhakti involving strict regulations, which form the basis of paycaratrika-vidhi. Paycaratrika-vidhi runs parallel to bhagavata-vidhi, in which preaching the Lord's glories and

chanting His holy name predominate. When the devotee's natural attraction to the Lord's service and the holy name develops, his understanding of the regulations of paycaratrika-vidhi matures. Then, although he may be on a platform of raganuga-bhakti, he will follow the rules of paycaratrika-vidhi in public temple worship, where the Lord is worshiped as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada explains the relationship between paycaratrika-and bhagavata-vidhi in his Srimad-Bhagavatam purports:

"Lord Narayana is worshipable by the paycaratrika-vidhi or regulative principles, whereas Lord Krsna is worshipable by the bhagavata-vidhi...No one can worship the Lord in the bhagavata-vidhi without going through the regulations of the paycaratrika-vidhi. Although there may be a Radha Krsna vigraha, the worship of the neophyte devotees is acceptable as Laksmi-Narayana worship. Worship according to the paycaratrika-vidhi is called vidhi-marga, and worship according to the bhagavata-vidhi is called raga marga...If we do not follow the regulative principles on the vidhi-marga platform and keep our eyes trained to spot offenses, we will not make progress." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.24.45-46, Purport)

So, on one side we are cautioned to not neglect arcana on the plea of engaging solely in cravana and kirtana, and on the other side we are reminded by Rupa Gosvami that cravana and kirtana are the principal means of sadhana. One cannot neglect the regular practice of chanting the holy name and still expect to make progress in arcana. No limb, or aspect, of bhakti is complete without the chanting of the Lord's name, just as no limb of the body can function without the presence of the soul. Nama-kirtana is the very life of all forms of devotional service. For this reason any one who wants to worship the Deity must strictly chant a fixed number of rounds daily, as instructed by his spiritual master. Anyone who is lax in his sadhana of chanting will also be lax in his attention to worshiping the Deity. As Srila Prabhupada said in a lecture,

"But if we are not interested in hearing and speaking, then it will be the same thing ‑ simply formula, that's all, and gradually it will be stopped. Unless there is life of cravanam kirtanam these big big buildings ‑ temples ‑ will become burden. So if we want to create burden for the future then we might give up this hearing and chanting and sleep very nicely! It will be burden: gala-graha. Not Sri-vigraha, but gala-graha. Sri-vigraha means worshipable Deity, so if we give up this cravanam kirtanam visnoh, then it will be thought that our Guru Maharaja has given a burden around the neck: gala-graha. This is the danger. So we must be very much alert in this cravanam kirtanam, otherwise all this labor will be futile. This building will only be a nest for the doves and the pigeons. This is the danger..." (Srila Prabhupada lecture, Mayapur 10-1-74)

If one is attentive in his service to the holy name, his chanting of the various mantras during arcana will become an effective part of the cravana-kirtana process, since the mantras contain the names of the Lord and His associates as well as glorification of His qualities, pastimes and paraphernalia. Srila Prabhupada sums up the relationship between chanting and arcana in a letter:

"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 services will sustain." (Srila Prabhupada-Letter, 10.2.70)

(L4) Qualifications for Arcana

The Paycaratra-castra clearly defines the preliminary qualifications a person must have to perform arcana. Family origins and social position are not considerations; all that is required is strong faith in Visnu, or Krsna. By the authority of the Paycaratra sSriptures, when the spiritual master judges his disciple qualified with sincere faith, he imparts to the disciple mantra-diksa and Vaisnava mantra. The disciple is then qualified to perform arcana.

Of course, the devotee who is initiated by paycaratrika- mantras is expected to make steady progress in his devotional life, and a significant impetus for such progress is the privilege to perform Deity worship. As a personal servant of the Lord in the temple, one has great responsibility ‑ not only to the Deities but also to all the temple devotees and to the guests who visit the temple. If pujaris are negligent in their services, there can be havoc in the temple due to the dissatisfaction of the Lord. On the other hand, if the pujaris are Krsna conscious and dutiful, the Deity worship becomes a most potent form of preaching Krsna consciousness. As Srila Prabhupada wrote in a letter,

"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. " (Srila Prabhupada -Letter 11-7-76)

When Krsna is well attended in the temple, the devotees engaged in hari-nama, book distribution, and other forms of preaching become inspired to attract the conditioned souls to visit the temple and receive the Lord's darcana. And when guests come, it is the servants of the Deities who receive them and introduce them to the Lord: Hence the pujaris' personal habits and etiquette should be exemplary. Sri Kapiladeva warns us not to allow temple worship to become the basis for maintaining a neophyte mentality:

"One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramatma, is situated in every living entity's heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into ashes....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." (Bhag. 3.29.22; 24)

(L4) Only Through the Spiritual Master Can We Approach Krsna

To rise above the neophyte stage, we must cultivate humility. This means that, when serving the Deity, we should be acutely aware of our position as humble assistants to the spiritual master. In other words, it is the spiritual master who is performing the worship of the Deity, and by his grace we are allowed to assist. Whatever functions we may perform ‑ whether dressing the Deities or cooking or performing aratrika ‑ we are doing them on behalf of the spiritual master. And it is he who is inspiring us and giving us knowledge of how to perform our services properly for the Lord's satisfaction. This idea is clearly expressed by Srila Vicvanatha Cakravarti Thakur in his Gurv-astaka:

"The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." (Gurv-astaka 3)

(L4) Variations in Arcana Procedures and Standards of Worship

In his Bhagavatam, Srila Prabhupada writes about the flexibility of worship procedures:

"Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. This is the twelve-syllable mantra for worshiping Lord Krsna. One should install the physical forms of the Lord, and with the chanting of the mantra one should offer flowers and fruits and other varieties of foodstuffs exactly according to the rules and regulations presSribed by authorities. But this should be done in consideration of place, time, and attendant conveniences and inconveniences."

Purport: "The method of worship ‑ chanting the mantra and preparing the forms of the Lord ‑ is not stereotyped, nor is it exactly the same everywhere. It is specifically mentioned in this verse that one should take consideration of the time, place, and available conveniences." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.54 and Purport)

The spiritual master teaches the disciple by example and precept, observing and correcting him in the course of his service. As the servant becomes purified, manifesting Vaisnava qualities and becoming free of anarthas, the spiritual master entrusts him with increasing responsibility to make decisions, according to circumstances, how best to serve the Lord.

"A devotee should see to the right discharge of devotional service under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master and should not stick only to the formalities. Under the direction of the bona fide spiritual master...one should see how much service is being executed, and not simply in the matter of rituals."<?>

Several factors may vary in the arcana procedure and the standards of worship. For instance, the standards of one who worships a form of the Lord at home will be different from those of a person who worships a temple Deity. The sSriptures desSribe daily worship by the householder, but this worship, though generally similar to temple worship, is simpler in regard to the number of articles offered, the quality of the articles, the number of services per day, the number of assistants, and the allotment of time. The householder worships according to his means, alone or assisted by his family members, with whatever articles he can procure, in whatever time he can afford. Temple worship is more strict regarding time and quality of articles, with a high standard of opulence to please the Lord and to attract the minds of the public.

Standards may also vary from temple to temple, depending on manpower and money. A general standard, however, is set as a guideline:

"From four in the morning until ten at night (from maggala-aratrika to cayana-aratrika) there must be at least five or six brahmanas to take care of the Deity. Six aratrikas are performed in the temple and food is frequently offered to the Deity and the prasada distributed. This is the method of worshiping the Deity according to the rules and regulations set by predecessors." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 4.87, Purport)

Regarding the complexity of worship procedures, Srila Prabhupada several times directed his disciples to keep the worship simple: The essential process of self-realization and approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead is to chant the holy name of the Lord, not to become absorbed in elaborate rituals of Deity worship and become distracted from the mission of spreading Krsna consciousness. However, on occasion he also instructed devotees to take direction on Deity worship from certain temples, especially the Radha-ramana temple in Vrndavana, where elaborate worship is performed. When the time comes in our Society that more devotees take up Deity worship as a full-time service for which they receive systematic training, some temples may find it appropriate to establish more elaborate procedures of worship. It should be noted, however, that increasing the complexity of worship procedures does not necessarily increase the standard of worship; it can even be a decrease if not performed in the proper devotional mood. Once standards of cleanliness, regularity, opulence and elaborateness of worship for a given temple Deity have been set, they should never be whimsically changed or decreased. For example, it would be a very serious offense to reduce the number of daily bhoga offerings after a given standard is established. Therefore temple authorities should very carefully set standards of worship, following the guidelines of this manual, preferably before installing the Deity. These standards should be set in consultation with devotees expert in the process of arcana. They should be kept in writing as well, so that changes of temple management and pujaris will not affect them.

This manual is intended to help devotees understand the process of Deity worship and to guide them in establishing standards of worship in ISKCON temples. Our main sources of reference have been the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, along with supporting references from the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. Since in some cases of more elaborate procedures both Srila Prabhupada and the Hari-bhakti-vilasa give general principles but omit details, other paycaratrika and agama texts have been consulted for details. Furthermore, we have carefully considered the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition in Deity worship, some aspects of which may not be explicitly stated in castra.

(L4) A Note About Using This Book

Just as we cannot learn the process of devotional service simply by reading books, we cannot learn the process of arcana simply by following this manual. we must learn arcana under the personal guidance of a bona-fide spiritual master or one of his authorized representatives experienced in the process of arcana. This book is meant merely to assist devotees engaged in arcana, but the application of the instructions given here--especially the exact application of procedures according to situation--must be learned from a proper guide. In other words, this book is not intended to be a "do-it-yourself" manual. Those who are new to the process of arcana should especially note this, and should obtain experienced personal instruction in the art of serving the Lord in His arca-vigraha.

For experienced pujaris, we hope this book will serve as a reference that will broaden their understanding of Deity worship, and act as an aid in teaching it to others. Although this book is meant primarily for devotees who are doing regular Deity worship, all devotees in the Krsna Consciousness Movement may find it helpful as a supplement to The Nectar of Devotion, the "lawbook of ISKCON" as Srila Prabhupada called it. This manual (including subsequent volumes) is in fact simply meant to help devotees apply the instructions found in The Nectar of Devotion, particularly in the chapters dealing with sadhana-bhakti.

Devotional service is by nature dynamic-‑it brings ever greater opportunities to surrender to the will of the Lord--and thus one who serves Krsna in His Deity form will not lack challenges in his performance of arcana, as outlined in this manual. We hope that by properly implementing these guidelines, the members of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, and the Society as a whole, will greatly benefit, and Srila Prabhupada's desire to permanently establish a high standard of Deity worship throughout the world will be fulfilled.

--Bhanu Swmi

Deity Worship at Home

In traditional Vedic society, almost all brahmanas worshiped the Deity in some capacity. Most householders would at least have a Salagram sila at home, to whom they would offer bhoga and worship. Often they would also perform services in one of the large public temples as part of their brahminical duties, which included such activities as teaching and performing yajya. In the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition, many householder associates of Lord Caitanya had Deities at home and worshiped Them regularly.* Similarly, many devotees in the International Society for Krsna Consciousness worship a Deity at home.

*Such worship was passed on from generation to generation; thus all family members worshiped the family Deities with great care. If you are planning to install a household Deity, you should consider whether you can insure that future generations will continue the worship! Do not expect a temple to assume responsibility for Deities your descendants cannot properly maintain.

() Some Preliminary Considerations Before Beginning Deity Worship at Home

Srila Prabhupada writes:

"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 . . . that is different thing,* but if the temple is easily accessible then this is the best program" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada, 30 May 1969).

Just as the blessings of the spiritual master are necessary before a devotee can perform Deity worship in the temple, those blessings are also needed before one can worship the Deity at home. In the traditional paycaratrika process of initiation, the spiritual master gives the disciple a Deity to worship, together with the necessary paycaratrika-mantras. The International Society for Krsna Consciousness follows this principle, and thusSrila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, gives all the devotees the temple Deities to worship. If the spiritual master gives a disciple permission to worship a personal Deity, that disciple should understand that the personal Deity is an expansion of the temple Deity to whom he is connected by his location and service. The Lord is so kind that He agrees to appear in the devotee's own home, and He accepts the family's worship, making the home into a temple. However, the householder should be careful not to abuse the spiritual master's and the Lord's mercy by being neglectful in his service to the public temple and its presiding Deities, on the plea that he is serving the same Lord at home.*

Whether a devotee worships the Deity in a temple or at home--or even underneath a tree--he should understand that the Deity is identical with the Lord. Fixed in this understanding, the devotee should strive to follow the directions of the spiritual master, avoid offenses, and please the Lord.Srila Prabhupada writes:

"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" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada, 6 May 1968).

*If you cannot visit a public temple at least once a day, you have a valid reason to establish the Deity at home. But even in such a case, you should make every effort to visit a public temple as frequently as possible to see the Deities, associate with the devotees, and render some service in the temple.Srila Sanatana Gosvami points out in his Dig-darcini-tika (11.63):

"Wherever the Supreme Lord's Deity is established according to the Vedic principles, even if the temple is difficult to reach, one should go to see Him and worship Him."

[Side Bar]

() The Guru-Gauragga altar and tulasi-seva: Worship Simple and Sublime

Srila Prabhupada very often had his disciples worship a picture of the Payca-tattva (Lord Caitanya with His four chief associates), along with pictures of the spiritual masters.

In relation to opening new temples,Srila Prabhupada writes:

"New temples may be opened by placing Panca-tattva and acharya pictures. Unless we have got sufficient experienced devotees we shall not install Radha-Krsna or Jagannath Deities" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada, 22 June 1970).

In another letter he writes,

"If there is scarcity of such qualified pujaris, each center should be satisfied only by worshiping Panca-tattva of Lord Caitanya by performance of sankirtan" (letter from Srila Prabhupada, 1 July 1970)

Anyone can maintain a simple but sublime standard of worship at home with pictures of the Payca-tattva and the spiritual masters. With some adjustments, one can follow the same guidelines given in this manual for worshiping three-dimensional Deities. Although one cannot physically dress and decorate the forms of the Lord in a picture, one can offer bhoga, perform arati and kirtana, and offer obeisances just as one does for the Lord in His three-dimensional murti.

Also, if one can care for them nicely, one may keep and worship tulasi plants at home, growing them from seeds usually available from a local temple. (Instructions for the care of tulasi are available in another manual <exact name, where to obtain>). The presence of Tulasi-devi in the home is very auspicious, a fact known to millions of householders in India. If one simply offers her incense, a lamp, and a flower daily in the morning while singing the tulasi-kirtana (see pg.<?>), Krsna becomes most pleased, and thus one makes great spiritual advancement.

[End Side Bar]

()Householders Should Perform Arcana

Arcana is especially recommended for the householder, as Srimad-Bhagavatam instructs:

"This is the most auspicious path for a religious householder of the twice-born orders--to selflessly worship the Personality of Godhead with wealth honestly obtained" (Bhag. 10.84.37).

If a householder cannot maintain such selfless worship, he should donate materials to a person who is executing such worship, and in this way the householder will gain half the results of that worship. If the householder cannot give donations for the worship, then he should take darcana of the Deity during arati, and in that way he will accrue the benefits of Deity worship.

Srila Prabhupada outlined a high standard of Deity worship for the householder:

"Especially for the householder devotees, the path of Deity worship is strongly recommended. As far as possible, every householder, by the direction of the spiritual master, must install the Deity of Visnu, forms like Radha-Krsna,* Laksmi-Narayana or Sita-Rama especially, or any other form of the Lord, like Nrsimha, Varaha, Gaura-Nitai, Matsya, Kurma, Salagram sila and many other forms of Visnu, like Trivikrama, Kecava, Acyuta, Vasudeva, Narayana and Damodara, as recommended in the vaisnava-tantras or Puranas, and one's family should worship strictly following the directions and regulations of arcana-vidhi. Any member of the family who is above twelve years of age should be initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, and all the members of the household should be engaged in the daily service of the Lord, beginning from morning (4 a.m.) till night (10 p.m.) by performing maggala-aratrika, nirajana, arcana, puja, kirtana, crggara, bhoga-vaikali, sandhya-aratrika, patha, bhoga (at night), cayana-aratrika, etc. Engagement in such worship of the Deity, under the direction of the bona fide spiritual master, will greatly help the householders to purify their very existence and make rapid progress in spiritual knowledge" (Bhag. 2.3.22, purport).

*Note: Generally, a devotee should not worship Radha-Krsna Deities at home unless he can maintain a high standard of service throughout the day, as this purport desSribes. Gaura-Nitai, however, will accept a simpler standard. Although one may also worship Jagannatha Deities at home in a simple way, one should try to regularly offer Jagannatha opulent bhoga, since He is daily worshiped with many offerings of bhoga in Jagannatha Puri.

Srila Prabhupada frequently stressed how important it is for householder devotees to worship the Lord as opulently and as sincerely as possible. He writes:

"Especially for householder devotees who are opulent in material possessions, the path of Deity worship is strongly recommended. An opulent householder devotee who does not engage his hard-earned money in the service of the Lord is called a miser. One should not engage paid brahmanas to worship the Deity. . . . Deity worship in the temple should be performed especially by the householders. . . . Grhastha devotees are generally engaged in material activities, and therefore if they do not take to Deity worship, their falling down is positively assured. . . . Any householder devotee circumstantially unable to worship the Deity must at least see the Deity worship, and in this way he may achieve success also. The special purpose of Deity worship is to keep oneself always pure and clean. Grhastha devotees should be actual examples of cleanliness" (Bhag. 7.5.24, purport).

()The Difference between Temple Worship and Home Worship

In his Introduction to the Arcana-paddhati published by the Devananda Gaudiya Math, Kesava Maharaja,Srila Prabhupada's Godbrother and sannyasa-guru, explains the two varieties of Deity worship--home Deity worship and temple Deity worship. He writes,

"Bhakty-agga-arcana, or worship of the Supreme Lord in the realm of devotional service, is of two varieties. The worship of Salagram sila, govardhana-cila, or other forms of the Lord which is performed by householders within their homes is one variety, and that found in the temples of formally installed Deities of the Lord is the second. The first kind is performed with ingredients according to the means of the householder, and is therefore reduced or shortened service. The second type is the worship of the Supreme Lord as a king, in awe and reverence. In such kingly service, regular worship is a necessity; if it is otherwise, sinful reaction is incurred. . . . Householders, and those who have given up their homes but are carrying on simple Deity worship, are able to offer foodstuffs to the Lord more or less according to the needs of their own families, of associate Vaisnavas, or of guests who come to them. But in kingly service of the Deity everything must be regulated. . . ." (Intro. to Arcana-paddhati, B.P. Kesava Maharaja)

()Minimum Standards for Home Deity Worship

In a letterSrila Prabhupada gives simple instructions for the worship of Gaura-Nitai:

"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 aratrika, and whatever foodstuffs are prepared can be offered" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada 15 February 1975).

In another letterSrila Prabhupada writes:

"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 is always busy in household affairs, yet still she is engaged in dressing herself nicely, combing her hair, etc. So both things go together. Yes, at least once daily the Deity's clothes must be changed, in the morning. If the Deities are small, as they appear to be from the photograph, then they can be layed 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 Jaya Jaya, etc., like that. . . . (letter fromSrila Prabhupada 1 May 1971).

() Cleanliness and Regulation

A devotee can perform Deity worship in the home simply, according to his capacity. However, he should maintain a high standard of cleanliness in his worship, following as far as possible the rules given in this manual (see pp <?>).

Although it is not expected that worship at home will follow as strict a schedule as that in a public temple, the more regulated the Deity worship is, the more meaningful and satisfying it becomes.

()Children and Deity Worship

Householders who worship Deities at home have a great opportunity to bring up their children in an atmosphere of practical devotional service to the Lord. Children should be encouraged to take shelter of the Deities by bowing down, chanting, dancing, and performing various services. One may also encourage them to offer the Lord whatever they receive, such as new clothes. If a child draws a picture or produces some other artwork, the parent may have him show it to the Deities. In this way a child can develop a natural attraction and attachment to the Lord in His Deity form.

Children should be taught reverence for the Deities.Srila Prabhupada writes:

"You should not give Jagannatha to small children because they will not take proper care and make offenses" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada, 30 March 1969).

"Deity worship can be learned at not less than ten years of age. Before that they can assist. They can learn how to bow down, how to dance and chant, how to make garlands, clean aratrika utensils, etc. . . . These are also different parts of Deity worship" (letter fromSrila Prabhupada, 1 may 1971).

Young devotees who are properly trained may become excellent pujaris because of the attachment they develop for Krsna through regular association with Deities from early childhood.

() Travel and Deity Worship

A devotee who undertakes Deity worship at home should have the same commitment he would have in caring for a baby. Although difficulties may arise that impede regular service, the devotee should feel the same sense of duty to make the necessary arrangements for the Deity as he would for his own children. If a devotee performing Deity worship at home must travel, he must arrange for the Deity worship to continue, either by bringing the Deities with him or by leaving them under suitable care at home or elsewhere. If no family members are left at home who can worship the Deities during his absence, he may arrange for another qualified person to do it, but in general a householder or his own family members should do the worship. A householder should not expect the public temple he is affiliated with to help maintain the worship of his household Deities. Also, if he is traveling with his Deities and staying at a temple, he should take care that his worship does not inconvenience the devotees living there.

() Home Worship Procedure

The following is a simple procedure for Deity worship at home, using the worship of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai as an example. With minor adjustments, one could also follow this procedure for worshiping other Deities, or for worshiping the Payca-tattva in a picture.

()Waking the Deities.

1. After bathing, dressing, applying tilaka, and performing acamana, offer obeisances to the spiritual master.

2. While ringing a bell, call out jaya Sri-Sri- gaura-nitai! and turn on the altar lights.

3. Ringing a bell, touch the spiritual master's lotus feet (in the picture) and ask him to rise from bed; then touch the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitai and ask Them to rise from bed. (If the Deities are not put physically in beds, visualize that They have rested in bed and are now rising from it.)

4. Offer, or meditate on offering, water for Their Lordships to sip (acamana). If possible, offer sweets at this time.

() Bhoga offering:

1. On a plate reserved for the Lord's use, nicely arrange the bhoga preparations. Perform acamana and offer obeisances to the spiritual master. Set the offering plate in front of the Deities, either directly on the altar or on a table before the altar. Arrange for the Lord to eat in private, perhaps by putting up a curtain before the altar.

2. With your right hand purify the bhoga by sprinkling it lightly with water from a payca-patra while chanting the maha-mantra.

3. Sitting on an asana before the altar and ringing a bell, recite three times the pranama prayer(s) to your spiritual master, begging permission to assist him in his service to the Lord:

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale

Srimate (spiritual master's name) iti namine

"I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace [spiritual master's name], who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet."

Chant the following prayer to Lord Caitanya three times, requesting His mercy:

namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te

krsnaya krsna-caitanya-

namne gaura-tvise namah

"O most munificent incarnation! You are Krsna Himself appearing as Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krsna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You" (Cc. Madhya 19.53).

Chant the following prayer three times, offering respect to Lord Krsna:

namo brahmanya-devaya

go-brahmana-hitaya ca

jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo namah

"I offer my obeisances again and again to Lord Krsna, who is always worshiped by qualified brahmanas and is very dear to them. He is always concerned with the welfare of the cows, the brahmanas, and the whole universe, and He gives pleasure to the cows, land, and senses" (Visnu Purana).

4. Leave the room for ten minutes, allowing the Lord and His associates to eat. During this time chant the Gayatri mantras for the spiritual master and for Lord Caitanya (the third and fifth guru-given mantras); then you may chant the Hare Krsna mantra and/or other Vaisnava songs.

5. Re-enter the room, clapping the hands three times. Remove the plate, praying that you have served the Lord and His associates to Their full satisfaction.

While it is not expected that home worship be strictly punctual, it is best to keep as regular a schedule as possible. Whatever food one prepares for oneself and others must be offered to the Deities, so the number of offerings may vary; however, one should have a set number of offerings in the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for example) to which the family cooking schedule is oriented.

() Daily Worship

The householder should worship the Deities with arati and kirtana at least once a day, preferably twice--morning and evening. If possible he should also offer dhupa-arati after the midday bhoga offering. (See "Simplified Procedures of Worship" <pg.?> for instructions on offering arati.)

() Morning Worship

One of the simplest ways to worship the Lord is to fill a payca-patra with water, offer each item mentally while presenting three spoonfuls of water to each Deity, and then discard the water into a throw-out pot. (See "Simplified Procedures of Worship"<pg.??>). You may do this without mantras, simply by requesting the Lord to accept each item. Perform this worship in the morning.

If you cannot physically bathe the Deities every day, you should do so weekly, especially if they are metal Deities who need polishing. At that time it is best to worship Them using actual paraphernalia, to dress Them and offer Them flowers, and so on.

The basic procedure for Gaura-Nitai worship is as follows:

1. Gather all the required paraphernalia and arrange it neatly and conveniently for performing the worship. Make sure you have everything you need so that you will not have to interrupt the worship to get something.

2. Sit on an asana and perform acamana; then sprinkle yourself, the area, and the paraphernalia with water, chanting the Hare Krsna mantra.

3. Offer worship to the spiritual master as follows:

Ringing a bell with your left hand, offer flowers dipped in sandalwood paste at his lotus feet. Beg for his blessings to perform the worship of Gaura-Nitai. Then chant the guru-given Gayatri mantras silently.

4. Offer worship to Gaura-Nitai as follows:

a) Invite Their Lordships to the bathing receptacle with a gesture of the hands, remove Their clothing, cover Them with gamchas, and clean Them with a damp cloth. If the Deities are metal, polish Them at this time, using a cloth to apply almond paste or powdered gopi-candana mixed with a little lemon juice. (Gopi-candana is best.) Avoid the eyes and painted areas. Clean off the gopi-candana or paste with a soft, damp sponge or cloth.

b) Ringing a bell, pour water over Their Lordships from a conch held in your right hand. Fill the conch at least three times. Chant the Hare Krsna mantra or the Brahma-samhita prayers while bathing Their Lorships.

c) Dry the Deities with towels, dress Them, and offer ornaments and garlands.

d) Ringing a bell, offer flowers and tulasi leaves (if available) with candana to Their Lordships lotus feet; then offer incense and a ghee or camphor lamp.

e) Ringing a bell and chanting the prayers for offering bhoga (as desSribed above), offer some fruit.

f) Offer obeisances and beg forgiveness for any offenses you may have commited in the worship.

g) Finally, clear away the paraphernalia used in the worship. At this time you may offer a simple darcana-arati with incense, flowers, and camara---or simply camara---while playing a recording of the Govindam song.

() Services During the Day

You may offer breakfast, lunch, and the evening meal as desSribed above. After lunch (followed by a dhupa-arati, if possible) the Deities should be put to rest, at least by meditation, and They should be closed from view in the afternoon.*

*Also, if the Deities reside in your living room, amid various family activities, you may need to close the Deity curtains at other times of the day. When the Deities are visible, make sure They are offered proper respect.

() Putting the Deities to Rest at Night

1. Offer obeisances to your spiritual master and perform acamana.

2. Change the Deities' dress to nightclothes, or at least remove Their ornaments and garlands.

3. Arrange the Deities' beds and invite Their Lordships to take rest. Lay Them down in Their beds and visualize that you are massaging Their legs.

4. Finally, offer obeisances and turn off the lights.

^{Vaisnava Songs which are Daily Sung in the Temple}

^{Sri
Sri Gurv-astaka}

^{(Srila Vicvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)}

^1.

^{samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-}

^{tranaya
karunya-ghanaghanatvam}

^{praptasya
kalyana-gunarnavasya}