Deity worship is a very nice way to develop a personal relationship with Krishna. I came today to Sri Sri Radha Damodar Mandir, Rajgad. I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity of offering bhoga and arati to Their Lordships.
Offering bhoga and arati is such a personal service to the Lord.
HH Sacinandana Swami Maharaja writes in his book “The Living Name” about establishing “sambandha” or relationship with Krishna. When we are chanting the Holy Names, we are inviting Krishna in the altar of our heart.
Krishna is already there in our heart. What does it mean to invite him in our heart? Krishna is there as the paramatma – upadrsta, anumanta, bharta – the overseer, permitter and maintainer.
Inviting Krishna in the heart means urging Him, pleading Him to play a more active role in our life.
In many places in the Bhagavad Gita Krishna tells how he plays an active role:
1] Personally cares for the devotee:
ananyāś cintayanto māṁ
ye janāḥ paryupāsate
teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ
yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham
But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have. BG 9.22
2] Gives Intelligence:
BG 10.10 says dadami buddhi yogam – Lord gives the devotee direction from within.
3] Inspires the devotee in various ways to advance:
SB 4.30.20 describes what role the paramatma plays for an advanced devotee.
Shrila Prabhupada writes, “A devotee is inspired by the Supersoul within the heart to advance in devotional service in a variety of ways. The devotee does not feel hackneyed or stereotyped, nor does he feel that he is in a stagnant position. In the material world, if one engages in chanting a material name, he will feel tired after chanting a few times. However, one can chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra all day and night and never feel tired. As chanting is increased, it will come out new and fresh.”
He further writes, “Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī in this connection says that the Supersoul, the plenary expansion of the Personality of Godhead, exists in everyone’s heart, but in the heart of the devotee He reveals Himself as ever-increasingly new. Being inspired by Him, the devotee experiences increased transcendental bliss in the execution of his devotional service.”
When we chant the Holy Names of the Lord in a mood to invite Him in our heart – Mere man mandir mein ek baar tum aa jao giridhari – that mood of yearning pleases Krishna to a great extent. And he becomes ready to accept our worship.
When we are chanting the Holy Names, serving the Deity, we are doing a prototype of what it is in the spiritual world. Obviously, in the spiritual world, Holy Name takes a back seat and service takes predominance. Yet, the personalism that is exhibited in our chanting the Holy Name, in our worship of Deities makes us eligible to reach Krishna’s kingdom. In a way, chanting the Holy Name is a form of worship of Krishna. This worship is not subject to any rules and regulations, but it has the capacity to bestow the highest perfection.
Lord Caitanya therefore says,
khāite śuite yathā tathā nāma laya
kāla-deśa-niyama nāhi, sarva siddhi haya
sarva-śakti nāme dilā kariyā vibhāga
āmāra durdaiva,—nāme nāhi anurāga!!
Regardless of time or place, one who chants the holy name, even while eating or sleeping, attains all perfection. You have invested Your full potencies in each individual holy name, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attachment for chanting Your holy names. CC Antya 20.18-19
By trying to be prayerful and personal in our chanting, we can access Krishna’s mercy and develop attachment for the Holy Name.
