Worship of Radha Krishna or other forms of Krishna – How to select?
One may prefer to worship Radha Krishna only; Another may prefer Baby Krishna only; Another may prefer to worship Gaur Nitai only; Another may prefer to worship Lord Jagannatha; Another may prefer to worship Lord Narasimha deva only.
This mindset exists in many devotees.
It is natural that one would like to see Krishna in a certain form only.
(Hanuman (Maruti) or Rama – Whom to worship for Protection? READ HERE!? )
SRI Vaishnavas never speak about the lilas of Radha Krishna and they follow the worship of Lord Narayana and Vishnu.
Gaudiya Vaishnavas prefer Radha Krishna worship. They also have the worship of Sri Caitanya Maha Prabhu and Sri Nityanandha (Gaur Nitai), Baby Krishna, Lord Jagannatha, etc.
It is recommended to develop our worship stage by stage from Gaur Nitai to Radha Krishna. That is why, the devotees are advised to visit Mayapur first and Vrindavan next. Visiting Mayapur first is to make up our devotional faith and Purity stronger to visit Vrindavan, the place where Krishna directly visited as we may not commit any offenses in Vrindavan.
So, for the “starting level” Sadhana bakthas, ie, Vaidhi bakthas, it is recommended to start from Gaur Nitai.
However, if you have natural affinity for a particular form, there is no barrier to worship that form as Pictures.
You may be aware that Hanuman, who is the best example for serventile devotion as a servant of the Lord, does not prefer to see even the form of Krishna and he wanted to see only Lord Rama and Sita devi. He did not allow any deviations from his master Rama and Sita devi. He lived only for them.
In the stories of Puranas, we have read that once Hanuman was called by Krishna. When the messengers called Hanuman that Krishna calls him, he did not go though Krishna called him, saying that he will see only his master Rama.
(That nice story has been posted in this Post. READ HERE)
Similarly, Gopis wanted to see only the Krishna form. They had Prema for Krishna. Prema for Rama is not possible.
Those who develop Prema for Krishna would like to worship Radha Krishna form.
See, Radha Krishna worship is the topmost form of worship in Krishna Bhakti. We need to be as pure as possible in thoughts, actions and even body to worship Krishna.
Even in the new / small temples of ISKCON, they do not install Radha Krishna deities because they need many hands to follow perfect rituals. They start with Gaur Nitai deities or Lord Jagannatha deities because they forgive any small omissions or delays in the rituals and though the level of purity has any defects. Once the temple grows with sufficient hands to serve, they start Radha Krishna worship.
Narasimha deva worship should be still more serious.
(Why Deity Worship is not recommended at Home For all? READ HERE!)
So, only developed temples follow Radha Krishna and Narasimha Deva worships.
However, some devotees are attracted with the worship of Radha Krishna form only. This is natural. So, they can have the worship of Radha Krishna as their primary worship and also keep Gaur Nitai as additional worship.
And, since Radha krishna worship requires more care, they can use Pictures of Radha Krishna or the small deities of the height less than 3 inches.
This will serve their desire to worship Radha Krishna form.
I like to encourage deity worship in temples and centers only because they can maintain the required purity standards. So, the devotees may use pictures as big as possible with no size restrictions.
(QUALIFICATIONS TO FOLLOW DEITY WORSHIP AT HOME! READ HERE!)
In case they are particular about worshiping the deities, let them use small deities of less than 3 inches height along with a bog picture of their favourite form of the Lord – either Gaur Nitai or Jagannatha or Radha Krishna.
Anyone of any basic standard of chanting and following four regulative principles, can worship the picture of Radha Krishna or any other favourite forms.
So, my solution to this psychological setting of preferring a particular form of Krishna, they can follow the primary worship of their favourite form, say, Radha Krishna as big pictures and alongside the normal sized pictures of other forms such as Gaur Nitai or Jagannatha or Krishna-Balarama or Baby Krishna (Bal Gopal), etc.
Hope this helps all who are unable to decide which form of Krishna to worship.
(Deity worship of Baby Krishna and Radha Krishna – Which is recommended for home and what is the procedure? READ HERE!)