Is Krishna devotees performing Puja for his properties allowed?
Two devotees (Name hidden) asked like this:
(1) “Hare Krishna Anna. Should the devotees of Krishna perform worship to the books and instruments on the day of Saraswati puja, since Sarasvati ma is the controller of studies and instruments?”
(2) “Hare Krishna Prabhu, i have a question but wish to remain anonymous. If one purchases a new vehicle and house they must do car and house prayer for it before using it. however if one is following Krishna consciousness, does one still need to do vehicle and house prayer? if so, how would one go about doing it? Your assistance is much appreciated . Thank you.”
REPLY:
Actually, Krishna devotees can perform Puja for books, house, vehicle, instrument, etc, without “ownership mentality” treating them as the assets of Krishna.
A house or a vehicle is not our property. They have been gifted by Krishna to us. They are Krishna’s properties.
(Can a devotee lead a luxurious life after spending a part for Krishna? READ HERE!)
Nothing in this world is our property.
Right?
We are just allowed to use the properties of Krishna for a certain period. If we consider them as our own, we are ignorant.
Because, when we develop the “ownership” mindset, we will develop pride as the owners of many materials.
This ownership mindset is able to make us commit many offenses that leads to negative karma.
For example, when a poor person hears our proud words, he may be demotivated or hurt and feel sorry for his inability. We become a cause for the hurt of a poor person.
(USING OUR STUDIES AS SERVICE TO KRISHNA! SIMPLE TIPS! READ HERE!)
Do you know why the devotees should wear simple dress and look simple?
Same reason. We should not demotivate or hurt the poor persons. Our simple life style will give encouragement to others to lead simple life. Even a poor person will be encouraged seeing the devotees who remain simple even though they have good wealth.
That is why, I always advice to lead a simple life only with the essentials, but with the highest goal of getting the mercy of Krishna. If we remain simple, they will feel comfortable to approach us. And, we too should always try to follow simpel lifestyle and should also preach others that we should not waste the resources of Lord.
One should use only those things without which we can not live and he should always cook in correct quantity to avoid throwing the food away.
(How to involve your ego in Krishna’s service? Practical Tips! READ HERE!)
This consciousness and alertness should always be there for devotees.
If you get the opportunity to buy a vehicle, first evaluate whether you really need it. If really needed, buy. If your life style and job does not require a vehicle, do not buy.
As far as house is concerned, it is the must for all. If you buy a house, buy only of the size that is sufficient for your family and treat that house as the property of Krishna. Not yours.
Thank Krishna for having given that house to live in this birth.
Now, you can perform pujas to that house and vehicle as if offering puja for the property of Krishna. See that house as a temple of Krishna.
(WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOVE, MERCY AND ATTACHMENT? READ HERE!)
This is the right mindset of performing pujas to materials. Like the Vrajavasis performed pujas for Govardhana hill treating that as the creation and servant of Krishna. Do not perform Puja for any material with the pride of being its owner.
Treat Krishna as the owner for your house and the materials you have.
It is not sufficient to perform puja just for a single day. Make that house as temple and perform pujas to Krishna every day in that house.
Use that house, material, instrument and vehicle in the service of Krishna as much as possible that is important.
Thus, you can make even the materials as spiritual when you consider them as the properties of Krishna. With this mindset, Krishna devotees can perform Puja for the properties of Krishna such as books, house, vehicle, instrument, etc.
Hope this helps.
(Krishna Rings, dollars, Tulasi mala, etc. – Necessary or Not? READ HERE!)