When Richard (now Radhanath Swami) had first seen people worshipping an image of the Lord in India, he was repelled and felt it was superstitious. Now after seeing the exalted devotion, and the high moral and spiritual character of devotees like Krishnadas Babaji who worshipped deities, he began to get convinced that this is not merely idol worship. Meanwhile Richard compared this with his western upbringing where all this was condemned as idolatry. However he began to also realize that Christians offer prayers to statues or paintings of Jesus as well as to the Holy Crucifix. Radhanath Swami writes when he was in Italy, he had visited the Convent of Saint Damiano in Assisi where Jesus spoke to Saint Francis from the wooden crucifix on the altar and ordered him to restore His church. And Jews too offer articles of veneration to the Torah, while Muslims, too, who condemn idol worship, bow repeatedly to the Ka’aba in Holy Mecca. Richard also felt that deity worship was different from idol worship and he asked Asim Krishna to enlighten him on this subject.
Radhanath Swami learnt from Asim Krishna that even Vedas condemn idol worship. But legitimate deity worship, according to the Vedas, is a science in which the Lord is called with devotional rites to appear in designated forms. In these forms He accepts our devotional offerings for the purpose of purifying the worshippers’ body, mind, and words by fixing in us the remembrance of the Lord. The aim is to please the Lord through surrender and love. Radhanath Swami gives nice logic to explain the rationale behind deity worship. Since all material elements are emanating from the lord, He may kindly choose to appear in His own energy as a deity to help us focus our minds and senses in loving servitude.
I once heard Radhanath Swami explain that if we claim God cannot manifest Himself through matter as in a deity form, then we are limiting God. “Does God not have the omnipotence to do whatever He likes – including to manifest through matter?” asks Radhanath Swami. I thought it made lot of sense when Radhanath Swami took the reasoning one step higher. “Actually, the notion that God cannot manifest as matter not only limits God, but also limits our access to God” I wondered how. Radhanath Swami, speaking on the basis of scriptures says, “Although we are all originally spiritual beings, souls, but presently we are materially conditioned and so cannot perceive spirit. We can only perceive matter and material things. So, if God does not manifest Himself through matter, then how can we perceive Him, serve Him and develop our love for Him?” I saw one gentleman argue, “Can’t we just think of God in the mind? Do we need to have a gross material form to perceive Him?” Radhanath Swami’s brilliant answer satisfied me. He said, “But the thought in the mind is also material! The point is that as long as we are in the material level of consciousness, we cannot avoid or escape matter. Not only can our senses not perceive anything other than material things, but even our minds cannot conceive of anything other than material thoughts. The thoughts of our mind are nothing but the mental conceptions of the material objects we have seen and experienced.” Therefore, Radhanath Swami appeals that God manifests Himself through matter to give us an opportunity to connect our consciousness with Him.
Hearing Radhanath Swami’s eloquent presentation on significance of Deity worship reminded me of a prose I read some time ago, composed by one South Indian devotee, Pillai Lokacharya. He expresses this sentiment beautifully, “This is the greatest grace of the Lord, that being free He becomes bound, being independent He becomes dependent for all His service on the devotee… In other forms, man belonged to God. But behold the supreme sacrifice of God in the form of the deity, for here the almighty becomes the property of the devotee…. He carries the Lord about, fans Him, feeds Him, plays with Him-yea, the Infinite has become finite, so that the child soul may grasp, understand, and love Him.”
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Founder-acharya of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
“Go to India” a sweet but commanding voice; spoke up in the heart of young Richard (later Radhanath Swami) who was immersed in meditation, his search for meaning in life has brought him to the Isle of Crete. Today he was ordered to go to India. Born and raised in the middle class suburbs of Chicago, Radhanath swami grew up in the 1950’s and 60’s era when popular musicians protested war, prejudice and social injustice. Radhanath swami would listen to these songs again and again, but their lyrics referring to God stirred his soul. Peter, Paul and Mary- the folk trio from Greenswich village sang in their debut album
“Early in the morning, about the break of day
I ask the Lord, to help me find my way”
This simple prayer was to guide Radhanath swami in the coming years of his life........
Radhanath Swami is a realizes soul, that is why he could reveal the truth boldly. All glories to Radhanath Swami.
View CommentLord’s Deities are non-different from the Lord Himself.All that we need is the faith to see the Lord in the deities and a guide like Radhanath Swami to awaken that faith in our heart.
View CommentA clear and eloquent explanation about deities, distinguishing deity worship from mere idol worship.
View CommentGod is so kind that He becomes accessible to us.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has brilliantly explained the difference between idol worship & deity worship and has simultaneously established the legitimacy of deity worship as a bonafide process of serving God in a personal way.
View CommentWhat a beautiful statement Radhanath Swami has to make that by thinking of god as one with limited abilities we also limits our access to God
View CommentLord is great and devotees like Radhanath swami help us understand that greatness.
View CommentThis is vey true. By playing with dolls which are idols, only the material desires of the children increases but by serving the deity (which some epople call similar to playing with dolls) cleanses our heart of all the material attachmetn and make us detached!
Isn’t it? We can see that from the life of many great souls like Radhanath swami.
And they speal so boldly because they can see God as a reality.
This should give us faith that if we also continue practising their teachings, ONE DAY WE WILL SEE GOD.
View CommentIt is the mercy of the supreme lord that he agrees to manifest in his deity form.
View CommentI liked this explanation that God has undertaken the sacrifice to appear in Deity form just for our benefit.
View CommentYes . it ( the deity worship)has profoundly helped me to meditate on the Lord.
View CommentThis knowledge must be shared with the fanatical muslims and christians who do not open their minds to the Hindu beliefs.
View Commentthank you for sharing
View CommentRadhanath Swami does chack & mate to those who say that God cannot manifest Himself through matter. Truely, we are limiting God if we are saying that. Amazing reply!!
View CommentRadhanath Swami is very clear in the realisation of God and His guidance to every one of us is very instructive fully based on authenticated scriptures. Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for such a wonderful meditation on the deity worship.
View CommentRadhanath Swami is very clear in the realisation of God and His guidance to every one of us is very instructive fully based on authenticated scriptures. Thank you Radhanath Swami Maharaj for such a wonderful meditation on the deity worship and dispelling all the misgivings.
View Commentbeautiful description of the deity worship as a science and not just a sentiment. Gives a lot of faith.
View Commentthank you very much for this article from Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
All the vedic followers who firmly beleive in the deity form of of the lord and worship him with awe and reverence are grateful to Radhanath swami for his comment as a neutral observer.
View Commentbeautiful
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami, for such a wonderful article
View CommentAll Glories To H.H Radhanath Swami Maharaj
What an beautiful and candid explanation of Deity Worship.
Hare Krishna
View CommentThank you for telling us the importance of authorized deity worship.
View CommentRadhanath Swami explained the subject very nicely. Just like how a loving father explains to a child. He is a realized soul.
View CommentRadhanath Swami has wonderfully explained the difference between Idol woship and Diety Worship
View CommentRadhanath Swami teaches everybody how to achieve real goal?
View CommentThank you very much.! Nice Article.!
View CommentWe do need an enlightened personality like Radhanath Swami to tell us what should be the goal of our life. Thank you.
View CommentVery much inspiring to read… haribol…
View CommentThat statement of Radhanath Swami that “God manifests Himself through matter to give us an opportunity to connect our consciousness with Him” is thought provoking. That show how much God strives to attract our mind to Him
View CommentRadhanth Swami has written about his transformation on this matter. It is so true that the infinite Lord has become finite, just so that we get the pleasure of serving him.
View CommentWonderful explanation of deity worship by Radhanath Maharajah.
View Comment“So, if God does not manifest Himself through matter, then how can we perceive Him, serve Him and develop our love for Him?”
Radhanath Swami’s explanation on why the Lord comes in his diety form is so convincing.Thank you so much for this explanation.
View Commentclear understanding about difference between what people consider Idol worship which in fact is diety worship which is God’s benediction on fallen souls
View CommentQuote by South Indian devotee, Pillai Lokacharya is so much relevant.this is such a nice explaination by Radhanath Swami, it simply convincing & profound. Thanks
View CommentQuote by South Indian devotee, Pillai Lokacharya is so much relevant.this is such a nice explaination by Radhanath Swami, it is simply convincing & profound. Thanks
View CommentAmazing!
View CommentRadhanath swami is a eternal pujari
View CommentOh Krishna! this is the best narration from Maharaj. I have always been confused how to answer these questions, but Maharaj has so simply explained everything. Now I am well armed to preach to those who think we idol worship. Thank you so much Maharaj.
View CommentThank you very much for sharing the words of Radhanath Swami “God manifests Himself through matter to give us an opportunity to connect our consciousness with Him”, so that the child soul may grasp, understand, and love Him.
View CommentNice explanation of the difference between idol worship and diety worship. Thanks.
View CommentRadhanath Swami Maharaj has pure love for God!
View CommentSuch a wonderful article!
View CommentIts so important to understand the science of deity worship!
View CommentVery educative article on deity worship……thanks
View CommentAmazing way of describing the importance of Deaity worship. Radhanath Swami is superb.
View CommentThank you Radhanath Swami
View CommentWonderful explaination of deity worship, which will convince any one.
View Comment“Actually, the notion that God cannot manifest as matter not only limits God, but also limits our access to God” this statement make sense. This really help us understand why diety worship is important.
View CommentSuch a wonderful and clear explaination. Amazing!!
View CommentAlong with so many other qualities which I have been hearing, I think, Radhanath swami’s clearity of thoughts also is worth mentioning and I am really attracted by it…
Thanks a lot HH Radhanath swami…
Maharaj had very nicely explained the true meaning behind deity worship. Thanks for sharing this wonderful meditation.
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