Creating an altar within your home can significantly increase your abilities, as it increases advancement due to this opening for an even more powerful connection.
By so doing, it means actually inviting God/Krishna and His pure Devotee Srila Prabhupada into your home as your honored guest. Really, their presence will exist. It is not imaginary.
Even materially, if someone calls our name or talks to us, or invites us over, we pay attention. "Oh, you called me?" Certainly if we can hear, God can understand and perceive us both when we speak aloud as well as quietly or subtly within.
Some do not fully understand this concept of God as a Transcendental Person, simultaneously being the most powerful, Supreme 'God.'
Much of our misunderstanding stems from our material experiences, as we have only identified 'person' as one who has a 'material' body.
We have not had sublime experiences with those in spiritual bodies. After all, it's not like we run into them every day. :)
And our own limited body has brought illness or problems at times. So, an important word here is "TRANSCENDENTAL." God does not have a body like ours. Rather, God's body is 100% 'transcendental.' Starting with a Gita verse where Krishna is speaking, Prabhupada explains further:
"If one offers Me [Krishna] with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it." B.G. 9.26
If God does not have senses, how can He accept and eat the offerings that are presented to Him? Or feel love and return it?
According to ritual, we are offering Krishna food daily, and we often notice the taste of such food changed, different. That is a practical example.
God eats, but because He is full, He does not have to eat the way we do. If I offer you a plate of food, you will eat it, next it will be finished. God does not require sustenance and is not hungry, but He eats, simultaneously leaving the food. Thus it is transformed into prasadam, His mercy. Purnasya purnam adaya evavasisyate. God is full,yet He accepts all the food that we offer with love and with mantra. The food does not disappear, instead He leaves it there for our benefit. It remains as a spiritually transformed type of foodstuffs.
God is unlimited. If He wants to, God can eat with His eyes. As it states in the Brhama-Samhita:
Angani Yasya Sakalendriya-Vrittimanti: "Each of the limbs of that transcendental figure possesses in Himself, the full-fledged functions of all the organs."
"Every sense of the Lord’s body has all the potencies of the other senses." Although we can see with our eyes, we cannot eat with our eyes. The senses of God, however, being infinite, are different. Simply by looking at the food that is offered to Him, He eats it." Perfection Of Yoga, Ch 3, Pt. 1
NEXT: Where is a Good Place to Set Up Your Altar?
Think about it a moment. Consider, where would you seat any respected guest?
An excellent spot would be clean, it would be draft-free, has good lighting, with little to no household disturbances.
Also, though optional, your guest could do with a comfortable chair.
For pictures, one can use a mantelpiece, a (nice) ledge, an End table, a bookcase, etc. Any and all of these are doable for those who can't make an entire altar. Don't deprive yourself. We can still be practical. Simply honor that place as special, for this purpose and nothing else.
Of course, after seating your guest in your home, you would not ignore them - you'd also have a seat for yourself to be seated, and face them, appreciate their company, and "hang-out." :-)
Simply don't position your altar [or sacred space] inconveniently, out-of-the-way, or difficult to get to. This is also your place to go to, for peace, for meditation, yours to connect with God.
If you also send prayer or healing, when serving others who are ill (on any level), this is your place to speak to God, requesting Divine Intervention.
What Items Do You Need to Set Up Your Altar?
Here are the Essentials:
1. A picture of Srila Prabhupada.
2. A picture of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda Most merciful incarnation of Krishna. -- You can use free pictures, but if you are going to buy a poster or painting anyway, now that I must make a living, please buy it thru my link. This one is of Lord Caitanya. And this one is of the entire PanchaTattva.]
3. A picture of Radha-Krishna. Again, if now or even later you are going to buy something bookmark this blog - and kindly do so thru my links:
Lovely cotton canvas of Radha Krishna for a great price! 40" X 30". And it's sequin Sitara Batika! Click here.
Feel free to print any you find on my blog or on the net, and use for your altar. These days there's special computer paper just for photographs. If you wish, you can use it for that type of print. Or some may prefer the more natural types of paper. Or, whatever is your personal preference. Even regular computer paper. Simply, I am trying my best to make this easy for you.
[Prior to printing, size adjustment may be needed.]
Also, you can frame them and this will look especially nice on your home altar.
While it us not required but someday you may wish to increase. Here is a nice Puja Tray with cups, incense holder, etcetera. If you don't make your own Ghee Wicks [I was always awful at it ha], here is where you can get them.
It is also bonafide to offer the light of candles. Stay with pure ones for God, thus beeswax candles. For offering [it may drip so put a hole in the bottom of a cupcake paper holder, place candle thru, you hold end of candle, light it's top or wick, and offer. :) ] Small for offering, larger for assisting God's energy in your little home temple room or meditation area, then bigger for decorating, etc. [Be responsible - use common sense plus never leave any fire alone. Keep water or baking soda near by, as well as a snuffer.]
Here is a very encouraging quote from Srila Prabhupada:
"Without much bother, if one simply keeps a picture of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at home and chants Hare Krishna, then one will realize God. Anyone can adopt this simple method. There is no expenditure, there is no tax, nor is there any need to build a very big church or temple. Anyone, anywhere, can sit down on the road or beneath a tree and chant the Hare Krishna mantra and worship God. Therefore it is a great opportunity." - Science Of Self-Realization, page 135
How wonderful! Lord Krishna and His pure devotee are so kind that they allow us to worship even through pictures.
It's something like mailing a letter. You can't mail a letter by placing it in just any box. You must use the mailbox authorized by the Postal Services. Similarly we can not imagine or make up an image or picture of God and worship that, but we can worship a picture of God that is very specifically described in Vedic literatures. No golden calves here.
God is outright telling us what He looks like through His ancient Vedic texts, originally spoken by Krishna Himself. He also accepts worship through that bona fide picture.
[The following numbers correlate with those above, giving more detail.]
1. The first direction a prayer or offering is sent, is to the (pure devotee) spiritual master. Key is "pure" devotee. Not to be confused with the Anglo-Saxon or English puritanical fundamentalist sense of the word; instead one who is fully free of "all" material desires, is unaffected by the material world, and completely conscious of Krishna at 'every moment.'
So the guru who is not afraid of death, who can [genuinely] talk and connect with God ion a variety of ways, and who, according to Vedic explanation, fits all the qualifications, can be a spiritual master. Only such an extraordinarily pure realized soul can give sufficient help.
Before accepting a guru, a person must take responsibility to learn / memorize the specific Vedic scriptural qualifications for guru. Only than can we be sure of a pure devotee as our spiritual teacher / guru. Only than can we make the full connection to Krishna, through the mercy of one who can [genuinely] talk to Him! I won't get into all the deails of how to recognize a pure spiritual guru here, but will give a couple of the most important basic spiritual info. If you wish more, you can do independent research.
A) "A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the minds demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world." ~ Nectar of Instruction, text 1
B) "In his prayers to the spiritual master, Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakura confirms that all the revealed scriptures accept the spiritual master to be identical with the Personality of Godhead because he is very dear and confidential servant of the Lord. Gaudiya Vaisnava's, therefore worship Srila Gurudeva ( master) in the light of being is servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the ancient scriptures of devotional service and in the more recent songs of Narottama das Thakura, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura and other android Vaisnava's, the spiritual master is always considered either one of the confidential associates of Srimate Radharani or a manifestation of Nityananda Prabhu. " - C.C. Dai-Lula, 1. 46
...More Here.
Moving on - we offer incense, plus other items, to the spiritual master. Some have a misunderstanding he is being accepted as God. This is not so. The spiritual master is never to be confused as God. It's because the spiritual master is Krishna's dear-most servant, Krishna has empowered him. Therefore he is worthy of reverence. Our linking-up to such a pure soul will thus will thus connect us to God / Krishna eternally.
Often we do not understand what is going on behind the transcendental scene. For example, once a devotee wrote about his experience with Prabhupada. This devotee was new, a Hindu gentleman, yet cautious.
Everyone had been singing what's known as "Prayers to the Spiritual Master." This new devotee said: "How come Prabhupada is singing along?" Wondering if Prabhupada was glorifying himself.
A senior devotee explained, paraphrased: "It's because he is saying the prayers to HIS spiritual master.
A pure devotee like Srila Prabhupada does not accept such praises but immediately passes it on to his (pure) guru, and in turn his guru passes it on to his, and so on - all the way up to Krishna / God. That is the nature of a qualified spiritual master, that he accepts no praise for himself."
Needless to say, after hearing this, that devotee was delighted!
Prabhupada left India to travel West in 1965. His willingness to leave his homeland coupled with leaving the numerous holy places that exist there - shows he was willing to take on such a tapasya to spread Bhakti Yoga when hardly anyone else would, not even his godbrothers.
He tolerated and survived two heart attacks on the ship [named Jaladutta] which was going West. Next he accepted many risks, living poorly or simply, often not knowing how things were going to fall into place. However, he confidently was sure that they would - due to following the instruction of his spiritual master.
It seemed like very few, if any, cared enough about those of us in the West to take such a personal risk. Only the pure devotee could handle such a thing.
And only a pure devotee could achieve such a level of success! After all, a few actually tried, but their accomplishments have been small at best.
So prior to Srila Prabhupada, maybe a handful came here, possibly starting one or two small temples, or even some Impersonalist groups.
However, no one clarified it is Krishna who is the One God everyone worships (knowingly - often unknowingly).
And no one made devotees of Krishna Personified.
We in the West were left in the dark about Who God is. It wasn't until Srila Prabhupada that people became Krishna bhakta's [devotees], rekindling their dormant relationship with Him.
In time Prabhupada opened very many temples worldwide. That is due to empowerment of Krishna, and to the mercy of the pure devotee.
It's even said that Prabhupada was sent by God to fulfill the prophecy of Lord Chaitanya, Who foretold that one day a pure devotee would spread the Holy Names of Lord Krishna all over he world. No other Vaishnava has done this. We are fortunate to be born at a time when Prabhuapada traveled West!
2. Next, the second picture placement upon your altar should be that of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda - incarnations of Krishna.
I'd like to address this concept of "expansions and incarnations" of God. Some do not understand how we can believe there is only one God while simultaneously believing in expansions and incarnations. This needs to be cleared up - as well as our material and linear beliefs kept out of the way as much as possible.
First to briefly reiterate, just as God being unlimited can eat with His eyes if He feels like it, so He can expand or incarnate if He chooses to do so. And that also helps us understand what comes next.
The Lord has multifarious other forms, and all of them are identical with the original fountainhead form of the Lord, Sri Krishna. In the Bhagavad-gita, it has been proven the original transcendental and eternal form of the Lord is Sri Krishna, the Absolute Personality of Godhead. By His inconceivable internal potency, atma-maya, He can expand Himself by multifarious forms and incarnations simultaneously, without being diminished in His full potency. He is complete. Although innumerable complete forms emanate from Him, He is still complete, without any loss. That is His spiritual or internal potency.
For those hearing it for the first time this may take a bit to process, yet it makes sense. After all, if we truly believe God is 'God,' then how can we limited Him - He can do "anything" even if they are beyond our (material) understanding.
Anyhow, Lord Chaitanya is Krishna Himself, and appeared in the form of His own 'devotee' in order to teach us how to be a devotee. He specifically advented to spread the once secret knowledge of the chanting of the Maha Mantra, and performing various other activities of Bhakti-Yoga.
Lord Chaitanya is the most merciful incarnation with Lord NItyananda even more merciful.
They overlook offenses and make it easy for anyone to attain love of God through the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra which They made pubic for all.
At one time this was considered a mantra only for the priestly caste. However, They quickly spread it to everyone so all could benefit!
Someone once said to me: "But I've heard this mantra prior to you folks." My reply? "Exactly. Thank you for making my point." :)
3. Home altars should include a picture of the Supreme Persoality of Godhead Krishna, one which includes His eternal consort Srimati Radharani (or Radha). She is also God (an expansion).
Some have trouble initially understanding this. Either wondering how can She be an expansion if God is "One" (though that's all ready been touched on, above), OR how can God be female?
Actually, it is explained in ancient Vedic literatures that in the beginning, Radha and Krishna were One. For the purpose of enjoyment, They separated, as Radha is known as the pleasure potency. She is Krishna's internal, spiritual energy.
Radha is devotional service personified, and devotees take shelter of Her to learn how to serve Krishna.
One should also consider, how could there be females here in this world, if that energy did not originally exist within God?
With a little thought, realization comes, and it begins to make sense that God be Radharani too. :) Anyway, give it some non-biased thought.
Now to make all this practical and easy, simply arrange pictures from left to right.
Start with:
- Pic of Srila Prabhupada on your left (when you face the altar).
- Then the picture of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda is next, usually in the middle.
- Lastly, the picture of Radha and Krishna at the far end or right.
This is also the order to offer incense, flowers, prayers, etc.
You see, this all makes sense because Vedically you first approach the spiritual master who connects you, then you approach Lords Chaitanya and Nityananda because They ignore mistakes and offenses, seeing the good in all. Lastly, Radha / Krishna pictures, as by that point we have elevated ourselves to the best consciousness we can, thereby abled to make better prayers or offerings, etc.
In most cases I do not recommend home Deity worship, though if you are initiated or living that lifestyle it is ok. Simply this is a different topic.
[Summed up: Many are worshiping murti's tho call them Deities, yet They are not, as there hasn't been detailed installation ceremony - which is wise to avoid for those not ready for full commitment of all things pertinent to Deity worship. If you ever decide you wish to get involved in Deity worship at home, go for GouraNitai (Lords Chaitanya / Nityananda) as Prabhupada said anyone can have Them, even mlecca's. As long as GauraNitai are kept clean and at least offered daily, some incense.]
Moving on, or back.....
In addition, some items you may want (or if later on you wish to increase), so you can add:
- Water Cups (one for each picture)
- Candles with holders
- A special plate for offering food
- Small bell, incense & holder,
- Fresh flowers - you can put these in a vase, or place before each picture. Or after proficient at offering other items with mantra/prayer, can do the same with flowers. Many options here. :)
Every morning following your shower or bath, clean the altar. It doesn't take long and cleanliness is important because it's not limited to the outside body as some misunderstand. Rather, as we clean the outside we are starting to unpeel our layers and working toward cleansing the inside too.
Besides, we wouldn't disregard cleaning the room of a respected guest spending the night. Once you establish an altar you have invited Krishna and His pure devotee to dwell in your home as the most exalted guests.
Now don't get paranoid. ha It does not require something difficult, just conscious.
If for your altar, you have special water cups, rinse or wash them daily, (save a separate dish-washing-cloth for altar paraphernalia only). Then fill with fresh water daily, and place the cups conveniently close to the pictures. After all, you don't want your transcendental Guests to have to stretch too far to get a drink, or have to get up to get it, etc. :-)
For flowers, as soon as the start to wilt, take them out of vases (considering you have access to flowers).
Try to offer fresh incense daily, though not limited to only once. It's easy and fun to offer. How to do that is described here.
Of course, be it incense or candles, be careful (full of care), and be conscious! Do not start a fire! Its easy to avoid such issues, Simply don't space out, be attentive, use intelligence - just be responsible.
With that said, the above will create a wonderful, most inspiring, and auspicious mood! It will help you with personal spiritual advancement.
It actually takes much more to write this out, than to do it. Its' really quite simple once you get the hang of it.
Many of these are optional. Don't let something stand in the way of getting started just because you haven't got everything. If you sincere love God, you will gradually - or quickly - get how much he loves you! That is the essence of this process. w
Now, use it. :) That is, reading can be helpful but we must put it into action. And what blissful actions!
How fortunate we are. <3
There are many different types of devotees out there, some holding slightly different conceptions on Prabhupada's instructions. My purpose is not to debate those who, in other ways I agree, but instead to focus on the like-minded, who are more drawn to Prabhupada's ideas in ways similar to myself. What ways are those? I simply want truth regardless how it pleases my senses, or does not.
Therefore, I thought it best to start this blog with his instructions on "Vaisnava Etiquette."
VAISNAVA ETIQUETTE
"Suppose I am not there. Manage very nicely. Independently. Not to create havoc. But really to manage. I am still present; I will give you direction. Don't spoil it. We are in very good, prestigious position. That is sure. Don't spoil it. So much hard labor. I started with very humble condition. Now it has come to this, such exalted position. You don't spoil it. That is my request." (Srila Prabhupada; Room Conversation, April '77 Bombay)
Since the disappearance of His Divine Grace in November of 1977, the bickering has been intense. Some greater, some lesser. While I'm not drawn toward white-washing any of his instructions, at all, I do feel we need to let the small stuff fly.
After that, look into the quotes left behind for us by Srila Prabhupada, so we would know what he wants.
"Vaishnava means offering respect to Vishnu. It is stated also that as a matter of etiquette as soon as one sees a Vaishnava one must immediately offer him respect, indicating the Supersoul sitting within. A Vaishnava sees the body as a temple of Vishnu. SB 4.3. 22 P
There are devotees who think an offense [or Vaisnava Aparadha] can only be committed to the pure devotees. This is not quite accurate. There are larger and smaller levels of devotee, thus larger and smaller levels of an offense can be committed, accordingly. Everyone who believes Krishna is God, fit the category of 'devotee.' Of course we must be most careful not to make any offense to the pure devotee Srila Prabhupada. Amongst ourselves it can be a tightrope walk.
"A devotee never finds fault with others, but tries to find his own and thus rectify them as far as possible." ~ Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.13.33
What to do? We are mixed, part devotee, part... still working on the purification. :-) We can not pretend someone didn't hurt us [significantly] when they did. May develop an ulcer. Simultaneously we need to be careful not to over-react, as it can result in bad karma. Keep it simple, do the needful, and try best to get beyond it. Often a change of topic will do it, and what better topic than to read Krishna Book?
"While describing the system of protection for the creeper of devotional service, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has especially stressed protection from offenses unto the lotus feet of Vaishnavas. Such offenses are called vaishnava-aparadha. Aparadha means "offense." If one commits vaishnava-aparadhas, all of his progress in devotional service will be checked. Even though one is very much advanced in devotional service, if he commits offenses at the feet of a Vaishnava, his advancement is all spoiled. In the sastras it is found that a very great yogi, Durvasa Muni, committed a vaishnava-aparadha and thus for one full year had to travel all over the universe, even to Vaikunthaloka, to defend himself from the offense. At last, even when he approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuntha, he was refused protection. Therefore one should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaishnava. The most grievous type of vaishnava-aparadha is called gurv-aparadha, which refers to offenses at the lotus feet of the spiritual master." ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 4.21.37
Since breaking Vaishnava Etiquette can bring on some horrid karma, it's good to know employing Vaishnava Etiquette protects the soul of everyone.
“My dear Sanatana, although you are the deliverer of the entire universe and although even the demigods and great saints are purified by touching you, it is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect the Vaishnava etiquette. Maintenance of the Vaishnava etiquette is the ornament of a devotee." CC, Antya Lila, 4.4.129-30
Thus preaching, and sharing, knowledge of Vaisnava Etiquette is highly important to absolutely every single devotee's advancement.
"If you think the Deity as Sila, means stone, and gurusu nara-matih, if you think guru as ordinary human being, vaisnave jati-buddhi, and if you think a Vaishnava, "He is American Vaishnava. He is Indian Vaishnava," jati-buddhi näraké—you become näraké immediately. These are the descriptions." SP lecture, Bombay, april 17, l76
Similarly:
"A Vaishnava, when he's asked about his identification, he gives acyuta-gotra. "Now I belong to the Acyuta, not to my original family." ~ SP lecture, SB 1.7.16, Sept 14, 76
Next, there is an important issue needing to be addressed. Not all agree. This post is about Prabhupada's quotes and instructions, thus others opinions may or may not be touched upon. His words shall remain central.
The current problem? Some newer devotees are under the impression that anyone who says they are a "senior devotee," is either one of the fallen authorities who did bad things, or else extremely puffed up. And some, tho not all newer devotees, are wanting to be rubber-stamped onto the same level without doing the same spiritual work. Now of course, some of this comes from misunderstandings, some from stubbornness.
Basically most senior devotees these days had the same problems with authorities, moved out and are sitting home behind their computer - gently private. Also most senior devotees, even when they did live in the temple, the majority were not lording-it-over the new devotee, or judging them. Really their minds do not go in that direction. If you find a few that do, remember they are the exception, not the rule.
I wish to apologize to those who have had such a term "misused" on them, abused upon them, in order to manipulate, or control, even for belittlement purposes, and sometimes worse. That is misuse, at best. We need to realize the term itself: "senior devotee" is not a concoction by those desiring admiration or power. Srila Prabhupada gave us this phrase.
Often the proper definition is not understood. To be a senior devotee does not mean the senior devotee is always 100% correct. It does not mean they are a pure devotee :-), or even a very advanced devotee. It does not automatically mean they are puffed up for using the term [tho some may be, but most are not], and it does not refer to any "clique," or "elitist" group ...because Srila Prabhupada doesn't give us instructions to create cliques or elitism. Instead, it is a part of the system of Krishna Consciousness he instructed.
Of course the idea was for a senior devotee to be more advanced, or at least, to set the example.
"Now you continue executing your Krsna Conscious activities, chanting 16 rounds, studying our books, going on sankirtana, worshiping the deity, etc., and in this way you will become advanced more and more. Also as you are senior devotee you must set a nice example for the others to follow." Srila Prabhupada, Calcutta, Jan 28, 73
Problems arose when the guru's took over, removal of older devotees who refused to worship godbrothers as guru, or preached truth - along with Prabhupada no longer at the center as spiritual master. After undergoing many experiences like this, direct or indirect [discovering what happened to our respected godsibling who dared try], we all are struggling to do our best.
IMHO honesty should be one of the first qualities to look for. I myself rather associate with a devotee who admits to their falldowns yet struggling to get back up and try, than some temple authority who puts on a show of advancement & later we hear, has to drink a cup of coffee to attend Mongala Arotika.
Senior devotees need to behave truthfully. Those who joined later need to nevertheless show respect. Srila Prabhupada gave the example to offer all respects to Brahmananda even if we were to catch him smoking a cigarette. So the idea of "senior devotee" also had a lot to do with nonjudgmental treatment.
Back in the day when Prabhupada was here, the term 'senior devotee' was in common usage & didn't have a stinging backlash. If someone misused it, we recognized that, & laughed them off. If that was insufficient, we simply knew that person as an individual to be unqualified, regardless of their position. But these days it seems "all" get lumped in together, indiscriminately .
Sometimes the younger, or rather newer [can be physically old yet spiritually new] devotees don't like to hear this phrase because it makes them feel inferior. Often they argue "Age means nothing, it's spiritual advancement that counts." This can be true. Yet it is more of a Western train of thought and not where Prabhupada placed his focus. His focus was to respect elder devotees.
"You are right to say that the example and kindly guidance of our elder members in the Society is the most profound force for motivating our students both new and old towards advanced Krsna Consciousness. Neglect of following the regulative activities and so-called advancement on the basis of self-motivation are both offensive. One should sincerely try to bring himself to the stage of devotional service motivated by pure love of Krsna, and our personal example must set a guide for them." Srila Prabhupada letter, Bombay 25 November, 1970
A new devotee can still achieve advancement beyond that of the senior devotee. Simply they don't compete with senior devotees, they don't boast, and they maintain following Vedic ways of thinking.
"Study our literatures with the help of your senior God-brothers and sisters, go on Sankirtana when possible, take special care to remain always engaged in some Krsna conscious activity, chant Hare Krsna Mantra always and be happy." SP, India, Sept 29, 70
Similarly there are times older devotees do not like to hear they must behave like a senior amongst the newer; as it is not always as easy as some may think. However, Srila Prabhupada gave the instruction. It is the duty, the responsibility, of the senior devotee to help and advise the newer devotee.
Hearing that may surprise some who maybe thought us senior devotees to be viewing ourselves wonderful. Reality is, we often feel unqualified, uncomfortable, or imperfect at our endeavors.
Thus it's common to see old devotees lay low during debates or just overall topics, where they often have more to offer than they give themselves credit. Or sometimes more than they can handle. Its not always easy to preach, occasionally having to inform another devotee they made a mistake about something; or explaining they themselves have experience that Prabhupada did not do things that way, etc. No one likes to hear correction, and no one likes to give it. Yet back in the day, it was more easily accepted, because, love it or hate it :-) we all wanted to go Back to Godhead and were willing to take on whatever necessary to get there.
Yes, all can still go Back To Godhead, especially when there is better understanding of what has gone on, and what is now going on. I hope to have shed even a smallest light.
"I understand that your Godbrothers are as your younger dependent brothers: kindly treat them as you younger dependent brothers and try to advance them in Krsna consciousness as good as you can." SP letter, January 21, 68
Moving on...
"Even though one is a brāhmaṇa strictly following all the rules and regulations of brahminical culture, if he is not a devotee, a follower of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one should not accept his invitation. At the present moment people have become so degraded that they do not even follow the Vedic principles, to say nothing of Vaiṣṇava principles. They eat anything and everything — whatever they like — and therefore the members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be very cautious about accepting invitations."~ CC Madhya 8.49, purport
“So in your letter you are not finding fault with anyone. So you are good Vaishnava. You do not find fault with anyone. This is the qualification. We should always think ourselves humble and meek. This you must know. So we all have to cooperate amongst ourselves, otherwise what will people think if we ourselves fight with one another? A devotee is always ideal in behavior.” SP Letter to Patita Uddharan (12/12/74)
"I beg to thank you very much for your letter pointing out some of the discrepancies of many of the devotees in New York. You are correct regarding the items which you have stated, such as sleeping in front of the Deities, taking of unoffered foodstuffs, drinking water from the bathroom, and non-chanting of rounds. But the thing is discipline cannot be observed unless there is obedience. As you are obedient to me, you should be similarly obedient to my representative. Your statement about Brahmananda that he is a wonderful devotee is hundred percent agreed by me. He is in charge of the New York center, and therefore, if proper obedience is not given to him, it will be impossible for him to manage affairs of the temple. Under the circumstances, the discrepancies you have observed in the temple may be referred to him, and he is quite reasonable, and will handle the matter with the respective devotees.” ~ SP Letter to Nara-Narayana 2/7/69
"I think we need at least one big place for training up the new devotees just to the proper highest standard, just as we are doing in Los Angeles, New York, London, and other places. So also in Africa you require one such model center. If you remain only traveling parties, that will be nice for distributing many many books, and for having the sankirtana, but for new devotees that will be too much rigorous and they will not be able to adjust to the constant moving and changing about. That will spoil their chance for developing in their Krsna consciousness from neophyte stage. So keep the Nairobi center always very active, nicely decorated, worship the deities just to the highest standard, making sure that all of the students are rising to attend the mangala aratrika, chanting regularly sixteen rounds, reading books—in this way utilize what Krsna has given us there and develop it for the headquarters building for Africa." ~ SP Letter to Cyavana, Bombay 29 December, 1972
“This is called Vaikuntha attitude. In the Vaikuntha factually there is no fault in anyone, but there is another type of competition. The competition is that one devotee thinks of other devotees how nicely they are serving the Lord. In the material world the attitude is that everyone likes to think that I am doing better than others. This is material conception. In the Spiritual Sky it is just the opposite: Everyone thinks that my contemporary devotees are doing better than me. We are trained to address Godbrothers as Prabhu, which means Master. This means we shall try to find out always the serving side of our Godbrothers. Sometimes there are misgivings, but we should try to overlook.” ~ SP Letter to Brahmananda 11/15/69
The TEN Offenses to Avoid - chanted in the temple room daily:
"The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows: (1) To blaspheme the devotees who have dedicated their lives for propagating the holy name of the Lord. (2) To consider the names of demigods like Lord Shiva or Lord Brahma to be equal to, or independent of, the name of Lord Vishnu. (Sometimes the atheistic class of men take it that any demigod is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. But one who is a devotee knows that no demigod, however great he may be, is independently as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, if someone thinks that he can chant “Käli, Käli!” or “Durga, Durga!” and it is the same as Hare Krishna, that is the greatest offense.) (3) To disobey the orders of the spiritual master. (4) To blaspheme the Vedic literature or literature in pursuance of the Vedic version. (5) To consider the glories of chanting Hare Krishna to be imagination. (6) To give some interpretation on the holy name of the Lord. (7) To commit sinful activities on the strength of the holy name of the Lord. (It should not be taken that because by chanting the holy name of the Lord one can be freed from all kinds of sinful reaction, one may continue to act sinfully and after that chant Hare Krishna to neutralize his sins. Such a dangerous mentality is very offensive and should be avoided.) (8) To consider the chanting of Hare Krishna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities (karma-kända). (9) To instruct a faithless person about the glories of the holy name. (Anyone can take part in chanting the holy name of the Lord, but in the beginning one should not be instructed about the transcendental potency of the Lord. Those who are too sinful cannot appreciate the transcendental glories of the Lord, and therefore it is better not to instruct them in this matter.) (10) To not have complete faith in the chanting of the holy names and to maintain material attachments, even after understanding so many instructions on this matter. Every devotee who claims to be a Vaishnava must guard against these offenses in order to quickly achieve the desired success." " ~ Nectar Of Devotion, ch 8
"Lord Caitanya was once asked by one of His householder devotees what the general behavior of a Vaisnava should be. In this connection, Lord Caitanya replied that a Vaisnava should always give up the company of nondevotees. Then He explained that there are two kinds of nondevotees: one class is against the supremacy of Krsna, and another class is too materialistic. In other words, those who are after material enjoyment and those who are against the supremacy of the Lord are called avaisnava, and their company should be strictly avoided." ~ Nectar Of Devotion, 7
"So if these boys will come to Los Angeles to follow the discipline as it is practiced here, that will be the best thing. Otherwise, they may not cause this disturbance in our temples. So both of these boys, whoever they are, should come immediately to Los Angeles to be trained up nicely in Krishna Consciousness. Unless one agrees to follow all of our principles, he may not be allowed to live at the temple. This must be our policy. ~SP Letter , Los Angeles 16 August, 1969
"Now all my disciples must work combined and with cooperation to spread this sankirtan movement. If you cannot work together, then my work is stopped up. Our Society is like one big family and our relationship should be based on love and trust. We must give up the fighting spirit and use our intelligence to push ahead. You should accept help from your Godbrothers.” ~ SP Letter to Upendra 8/6/70
“We should never waste Krishna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and then give each person what he wants. That is the Vedic system that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some objection by a person. Then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied.” ~SP letter to Kirtiraja das 11/27/71
"dadati pratigrhnati
guhyam akhyati prcchati
bhunkte bhojayate chaiva
sad-vidham priti-laksanam
The words bhunkte bhojayate indicate that one should eat with devotees. One should carefully avoid eating food offered by nondevotees. Indeed, a devotee should be very strict in not accepting food from a nondevotee, especially food prepared in restaurants or hotels or on airplanes. Srila Nityananada Prabhu's reference in this connection is meant to emphasize that one should avoid eating with Mayavadis and covert Mayavadis like the sahajiya Vaishnavas, who are materially affected.—Cc Madhya-lila 12.195
"When a Krishna Conscious person is elevated to a responsible position, he becomes humble, as a tree laden with fruits. When a Krishna Conscious person is elevated to a responsible position, he never becomes puffed up. Just like a tree when overladen with fruits becomes humble and lower down; similarly, a great soul in Krishna Consciousness becomes humbler than the grass and bowed down like the fruitful trees because a Krishna Conscious person acts as the agent of Krishna, therefore he discharges his duty with great responsibility. ~ SP letter, January 27, 1970
"The eating area must be thoroughly cleansed with water, since the area has become impure by the act of eating. One thing is tha tyou should keep everything very clean. Thsi is the first business. Every room should be as clean as a mirror. The prasadamroom shoul be immediuately cleaned after taking prasadam, otherwise you are inviting rats." SP Letter,10,20, 73
“Another thing I request is that everything in the Temple should be kept nice and clean. Everyone should wash hands before touching anything of Krishna’s. We should always remember that Krishna is the purest and similarly only the purest can associate with Him. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” ~ SP Letter to Nandarani & Krishna Devi 10/4/67
“Yes, a non-initiate can work under the direction of a devotee in the kitchen.” ~ Letter to Mahapurusa (3/28/68)
"Krishna consciousness means full cooperation with Krishna, and Krishna means with all his entourage. We should always remember this. Just like when we speak of a tree, it includes the root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the flowers-everything. Therefore to love Krishna means to love Him along with all His Name, His fame, His qualities, His entourage, His abode, His devotees, etc." ~ SP letter to Yamuna dd, March 2, 1970
“Regarding your question about the dancing, the dancing should be done enthusiastically by raising the hands like Panca-tattva. You can also dance enthusiastically by raising hands. All of Lord Chaitanya’s followers used to dance with raised hands. If someone dances with ecstasy, that is all right, but it is better to dance with raised hands.” ~SP Letter to Kirtanananda 11/10/74?)
"In the Caitanya-caritamrta, the devotee's desirable qualities are described to be twenty-six in number. They are stated as follows: He is very kind; he does not quarrel with anyone; he accepts Krsna consciousness as the highest goal of life; he is equal to everyone; no one can find fault in his character; he is magnanimous, mild and always clean, internally and externally; he does not profess to possess anything in this material world; he is a benefactor to all living entities; he is peaceful and is a soul completely surrendered to Krsna; he has no material desire to fulfill; he is meek and humble, always steady, and has conquered the sensual activities; he does not eat more than required to maintain body and soul together; he is never mad after material identity; he is respectful to all others and does not demand respect for himself; he is very grave, very compassionate and very friendly; he is poetic; he is expert in all activities, and he is silent in nonsense." ~ Srimad-Bhagavatam 3:15:25 Purport
"In the Tenth Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, verse 8, it is said, "My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim.
Purport: “This statement of Srimad-Bhagavatam should be the guide of all devotees. A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities. If one has finished his material activities then there is no more birth. This is possible only when one begins Krsna conscious activities, because such activities do not produce reaction. Therefore, as soon as one becomes perfect in Krsna conscious activities, he is not going to take birth again in this material world. A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Krsna consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise he should simply think of Krsna and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God." Nectar Of Devotion, Chapter 10
The next quote, may feel a bit intense to some. Please know the most important thing is to chant Hare Krishna. Everything else will then fall into place.
“In the supplementary Vedic literature, there is the following list of thirty-two offenses in the matter of serving the Lord: (1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet. (2) One should not fail to observe the various festivals for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Janmastami and Ratha-yatra. (3) One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity. (4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed one’s hands and feet after eating. (5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state. (According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brahmana their contamination period is twelve days, for the kstriyas and vaisyas it is fifteen days, and for sudras thirty days.) (6) One should not bow down on one hand. (7) One should not circumambulate in front of Sri Krishna. (The process of circumambulating the temple is that one should begin circumambulating from the Deity’s right-hand side of the temple and come round. Such circumambulation should be performed outside the temple structure at least three times daily.) (8) One should not spread his legs before the Deity. (9) One should not sit before the Deity holding the ankles, elbows or knees with one’s hands. (10) One should not lie down before the Deity of Krishna. (11) One should not accept prasada before the Deity. (12) One should never speak a lie before the Deity. (13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity. (14) One should not talk with others before the Deity. (15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity. (16) One should not quarrel or fight before the Deity. (17) One should not chastise anyone before the Deity. (18) One should not be charitable to beggars before the Deity. (19) One should not speak very harshly to others before the Deity. (20) One should not wear a fur blanket before the Deity. (21) One should not eulogize or praise anyone else before the Deity. (22) One should not speak any ill names before the Deity. (23) One should not pass air before the Deity. (24) One should not fail to worship the Deity according to one’s means. (In Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the Lord is satisfied if some devotee offers Him even a leaf or a little water. This formula prescribed by the Lord is universally applicable, even for the poorest man. But that does not mean that one who has sufficient means to worship the Lord very nicely should also adopt this method and try to satisfy the Lord simply by offering water and a leaf. If he has sufficient means, he should offer nice decorations, nice flowers and nice foodstuffs and observe all ceremonies. It is not that one should try to satisfy the Supreme Lord with a little water and a leaf, and for himself spend all his money in sense gratification.) (25) One should not eat anything which is not offered first to Krishna. (26) One should not fail to offer fresh fruit and grains to Krishna, according to the season. (27) After food has been cooked, no one should be offered any foodstuff unless it is first offered to the Deity. (28) One should not sit with his back toward the Deity. (29) One should not offer obeisances silently to the spiritual master, or in other words, one should recite aloud the prayers to the spiritual master while offering obeisances. (30) One should not fail to offer some praise in the presence of the spiritual master. (31) One should not praise himself before the spiritual master. (32) One should not deride the demigods before the Deity. This is a list of thirty-two offenses." ~ Nectar Of Devotion, ch 8
Please remember, the most important is to chant Hare Krishna, then go at your own pace. Add one little thing from anywhere on this blog and relax. When ready, return here and select another. Do 'not' put yourself down because you can't do it all at once. For those who are sincere in heart, Krishna will take care.
Vaisnava Etiquette PART 2
