Krishna’s devotee worshiping Other Gods! Two views explained!
We need not worship any other gods if we worship Krishna. Krishna’s devotee worshiping Other Gods is not necessary. Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that though you offer something to demigods goes to Krishna only. Similarly everything Other Gods give are given by Krishna Only.
(Why the scriptures claim many Supreme Gods that confuses my devotion to Krishna? READ HERE!)
And, there are plenty of demigods and we do not have life time to satisfy all of them. So, better we concentrate on Krishna.
However, we should never disrespect any other god or devotee just because we are worshipping Krishna. Respect all the other gods and celestials. Respecting all is a Vaishnava quality. But, always keep in mind that Krishna alone is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and do not equate any other god with Krishna. But, give full respects to them as they are also devotees of Krishna. If you offer water to the main root, it will automatically go to all the branch roots. If you worship Krishna (without disrespecting other gods), it automatically satisfies all other gods.
The best prayer to any demigod should be: “Please bless and help me to come up in Krishna Consciousness”.
TWO TYPES OF VIEWS OF SRILA PRABHUPADA ABOUT WORSHIPING OTHER GODS!
Srila Prabhupada has given two types of advice to the devotees about worshiping other gods.
If an acharya speaks two versions, which one should we take?
Let me say at the end.
(Why In India many gods are worshiped contrary to other countries? READ HERE!)
In The Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“One should begin the worship of the demigod Ganapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Ganapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva and in that way has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Ganapati.”
We can take this as clear and authoritative proof that Srila Prabhupada wanted all the devotees in his society to worship Ganapati (Ganesa).
But balance that letter against this letter to Sivananda Dasa (August 25, 1971):
“So far worshiping Ganesa is concerned, that is not necessary. Not that it should be done on a regular basis. If you like you can pray to Ganapati for removing all impediments on the path of Krishna Consciousness. That you can do if you like.
(I am going away from other gods after worshiping Krishna. I feel guilty. Help me. READ HERE!)
And this is his view during his later period, sent to “My dear Sons” in Evanston, Illinois, on December 28, 1974. (Srila Prabhupada sent nearly identical messages to several other devotees.)
“I do not encourage you to worship this demigod, Ganesa. It is not required, it is not necessary. Simply worship Krsna. Perform nice devotional service to Krsna. Then your lives will certainly become perfect. Of course if one has got some sentiment for achieving the blessings of Ganesa for accumulating large sums of money to serve Krsna, then he may perform this Ganesa worship, privately, not making a public show. But first of all he must give me $100,000 per month. Not a single farthing less. If he can supply this amount, $100,000 per month, then he will be allowed to do this Ganesa Puja. Otherwise he should not do it. It will not be good. That is my order.”
Which advice we should follow?
Although the injunction to worship Ganesa is clear and comes from a book, in this case the evidence from the letters weighs in heavier.
All other things being equal (which they may not always be), a later instruction outweighs an earlier one.
That is why we take Srimad Bhagavatham as bonafide purana as it was written by Vyasadeva as his last Purana.
So, the Point is, if we worship Krishna and respect other gods, it is enough. Our offerings to Krishna will go to all other gods.
( KRISHNA’s DEVOTEE WORSHIPING OTHER GODS (DEMIGODS) AND CHANT ALL THEIR MANTHRAS ACCEPTED OR NOT? READ HERE!)