The Supreme Value in the Worship of a Devotee of God
Śrīla Prabhupāda comprehensively explains the absolute necessity of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, he also reveals the ultimate confidential truth of the Vedic literatures: to truly capture the heart of Kṛṣṇa, one must prioritize the worship of His pure devotees. By studying these teachings, we learn how vaiṣṇava-pūjā surpasses all other spiritual practices.
The Necessity of Deity Worship
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that God is a person, not a formless void. Therefore, instead of wasting time in mental speculation, a sincere practitioner should engage in the practical worship of the arcā-vigraha (Deity) with love and devotion.
- Foolish people who have no knowledge of Sri Isopanisad or any of the other sruti-mantras consider the arca-vigraha, which is worshiped by pure devotees, to be made of material elements.
- A devotee is not at all interested in speculative activities. Instead of cultivating speculative knowledge or practicing mystic yoga, a devotee should worship the Deity in the temple and continuously engage in the Lord’s service.
- It is essential for a devotee to worship the form of the Lord and not only meditate upon the form of the Lord within his mind with the chanting of the mantra given by the spiritual master. The worship of the form must be present.
The Original Form of Govinda
While Kṛṣṇa manifests in unlimited forms such as Rāma and Nṛsiṁha, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that pure devotees especially relish worshiping His original form as Śyāmasundara, following the profound prayers of Lord Brahmā.
- As stated in the Brahma-samhita (BS 5.33): I (Brahma) worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, who is the original person - nondual, infallible, and without beginning. Although He expands into unlimited forms, He is still the original.
- I (Brahma) worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Syamasundara, Krsna Himself, with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love - BS 5.37-38.
- Some devotees worship the original form of Krsna. When we say "Krsna" we refer to all forms of the Lord - not only Krsna, but Rama, Nrsimha, Varaha, Narayana, etc.
The Secret Revealed by Lord Śiva
As one of the twelve great authorities (mahājanas), Lord Śiva knows the deepest secrets of spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda often cited Lord Śiva's instruction to Goddess Pārvatī, which boldly declares that worshiping a Vaiṣṇava is far superior to worshiping Lord Viṣṇu.
- He (Siva ) simply advises his great wife (Parvati) that of all kinds of worship, the worship of Visnu is the highest, and greater than that is the worship of a great devotee or anything in relation with Visnu.
- There are many demigods, but he (Lord Siva) recommended Visnu worship as the best. And better than Visnu worship is worship of a Vaisnava. Tadiyanam - His servants, or those who are in relation to Him.
- There are twelve authorities. Lord Siva is one of the authorities. Svayambhur naradah sambhuh. (SB 6.3.20). Sambhu is authority. He says - Krsna worship, Visnu worship is good, but still better worship is to worship the krsna-bhaktas.
Kṛṣṇa's Preference for Vaiṣṇava Worship
The Supreme Lord is completely independent, yet He is captivated by the love of His pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa Himself considers the worship of His servants to be higher than His own worship.
- Visnu wants His followers to be satisfied first. Lord Krsna says, mad-bhakta-pujabhyadhika: (SB 11.19.21) "The worship of My devotees is better than worship of Me.
- Not only is a devotee of the Lord more powerful than the Lord, but also worship of the devotee is considered more effective than direct worship of the Lord.
- My devotees take great care and respect in rendering Me service. They offer obeisances to Me with all their bodily limbs. They worship other devotees and find all living entities related to Me. For Me they engage the entire energy of their bodies.
Devotees Give Life to the Worship
A physical temple and a Deity require the heartbeat of genuine devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that without the active presence and service of a living devotee, temple ceremonies risk degrading into mere idol worship.
- How they can worship? The worship is done by devotee. Unless you create devotee, where is the question of worshiping? Without devotee it is idol worship. There is no life. And without life, how can you pull on artificially?
- One should offer humble obeisances to the devotee who has undergone spiritual initiation (diksa) and is engaged in worshiping the Deity.
- Worship of the demigods is discouraged, and worship of a Vaisnava is considered exalted. No respect is given to the nondevotees - in the Bhakti-sandarbha.
The Devotee's Unalloyed Motivation
True worship must be devoid of selfish expectations. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that an unalloyed devotee approaches the Lord and the Vaiṣṇavas not for material benedictions or salvation, but exclusively to offer them satisfaction.
- A pure devotee will not ask anything from the Lord. He simply offers the Lord his respectful obeisances, and the Lord is prepared to accept whatever the devotee can secure to worship Him, a leaf, flower, fruit or water.
- Gopinatha Pattanayaka is a pure devotee who worships You only for Your satisfaction. He does not care about his personal happiness or distress, for that is the business of a materialist.
- Unalloyed devotees, who have no desire other than to serve the Lord, worship Him in full surrender and always hear and chant about His activities, which are most wonderful and auspicious.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently directs us to the ultimate standard of devotional service. While regular Deity worship and meditation on Kṛṣṇa's forms rescue the conditioned soul from impersonal speculation, these practices reach their true perfection only when paired with the worship of the Lord's pure devotees. The Vedic conclusions, spoken by both Lord Śiva and Lord Kṛṣṇa, confirm that vaiṣṇava-pūjā is the highest spiritual activity. By honoring and serving the Vaiṣṇavas with an unalloyed heart, devoid of material motives, we bring the greatest pleasure to the Supreme Lord and guarantee our path back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Worship of a Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.