asa[e] - Grhasta, Radha Krsna Worship.
Hare Krishna, guru maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I really liked the story you wrote of the man visiting the prison and the inmate who is reading KRSNA. It makes me realize than anyone in any position can benefit by hearing or reading about Krishna's pastimes. It's a sweet story!
HpS/ASA - AgtSP!!! I think it was Buck White's 🐷 tale!!! I'm sure he thanks you!!
Maharaja, am I allowed to worship deities of Radha Krishna? I have seen some of your replies regarding other deities such as Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. At home, we currently have Krishna and Balarama and I suppose I should have asked permission before getting Them but my intelligence was totally clouded then. Looking back, I wonder if that is why Balarama came with a broken arm- we fixed it though!
There is just a desire to worship Radha and Krishna in my heart and during my japa, supersoul gave me the intelligence to ask you first.
Only by your and Srimati Radharani's mercy have I had the strength to complete my japa.
Sorry for the rambling.
your aspiring servant,
Rasa-mandali dasi
ps. I love that I have a godsister in China who is named Vanara-rani Anjana. That is rad!
HpS - When I was just visiting the Temple in San Francisco from Sacrament, 90-minute drive, not even understanding what initiation was, but having read the KRSNA book for one year alone and had a lot of heart shaking experiences with Prabhupada, even though we did not know who he was, this same question came up in BG class in the evening.
H. H. Tamal krsna Goswami was visiting with his Radha Damodara bus party, and was not quite sure, but Jayananda Das, ostensibly a Sudra, mechanic, but respected by everyone as maybe even a Nitya-siddha dude, was in the audience.
He raised his hand and said, as always, I don't know, but I remember reading in the BG that Prabhupada says that Grhasthas should keep Radha Krsna deities in their homes and worship them, so on that basis it seems O.K.
TKG enthusiastically said, 'That is the correct answer! That is correct'.
If They are being related to as installed Deities, then according to our understanding it is of Archanam, of the nine processes. Then you have to be and serve like a Brahman in the Temple. The investment is enormous and the result is enormous.
Yet, if you are just worshipping them informally according to nice standard, then it is Pada sevanam of the nine processes.
You may have a picture of Lord Nrsmha next to your front door, and when every you go out you ask Him from protection and you declare that you are going out for His service. The picture may go with you to three different houses, and you may develop a very personal relationship with Him. Sometimes you may take off our coat and not go out because you realize that it is not for His service. It is for your lust.
As far as we understand it is Pada sevanam, not Archanam.
So, if you are following first initiation vows nicely, Raghunatha Das Goswami standard, but nicely and learning how to chant better rounds, then it can be very nice to invite Radha and Her Sweetheart to your home.
- Serve Them with love.
- Keep Them and Their space clean.
- Keep a regular schedule to Their service.
- Adjust the service to your facility. This is different than Archanam.
- Simple things to offer are a) Incense, b) Lamp, c)Flower, d) Scented Oil, e) Food.
Keep it clean, keep it simple, be regular in the basics, eg. offering morning and evening. Chant for Them, read for Them, take them to the Beach with your friends.
Our thoughts.
