Order of Who to offer to first

HH B. Radha-Govinda Swami, USA:  For many years, besides my other prescribed services, I was engaged as pujari in various ISKCON temples. In the earlier 1970s, regarding the offering of the Arotik in relation to the various Personalities residing on the altar, I was told a specific order of Who to offer to first, and in sequence. Some years after Srila Prabhupada left the planet, I was told to offer the arotik using a different order of sequence. With both “systems” (in terms of sequence of offering), I could understand the philosophy and logic behind the differences in sequence, but at one point I thought to myself, “Which sequence would Srila Prabhupada, my Guru Maharaj, be wanting me to follow? Srila Prabhupada had given His specific instructions, so are we to follow what Srila Prabhupada gave, or this other method?” (which was also “logical” by its sequence and philosophy behind such sequence. Please note that in my asking this, I am NOT making ANY “criticism” of that which is followed elsewhere. I’m simply asking in relation to ISKCON, where we are (hopefully) following under Srila Prabhupada’s guidance/instructions).

For a long time, I felt a sense of confusion: “Do I do it how Srila Prabhupada specifically told us to do, or the other way?” (After all, the other way was also completely logical.) I finally decided to “go back” to the sequence Srila Prabhupada had told us, based on the “snake/rope” example: When bona fide Guru tells the disciple “This is a snake,” the disciple acts on this premise: “Guru Maharaj told me this is a snake, so it IS a SNAKE!” Then Guru Maharaj says, “No, it’s a rope,” so the disciple “shifts gear” and changes hir vision, “It’s a ROPE!” Then Guru Maharaj says, “No, it’s a snake,” so the disciple again shifts gear, to see before hir, a snake, and so on. I also understood that whatever service I am rendering is being offered to Krsna through my Guru Maharaj.

Thus, by offering in the sequence first taught by Srila Prabhupada, how could I “go wrong?” I didn’t know if it was Srila Prabhupada Who had authorized these changes regarding the Deity worship, or that they had come due to some other reasons, since apparently these changes were made when I was serving in the Middle East and Africa, nor did I know what year this specific change in Deity worship was made, other than it was made some time after Srila Prabhupada’s departure. Exactly how or why this change came about, I don’t know the details. (Maybe someone could fill me in.) I only know that at some point, we (ISKCON) began following the order of sequence followed by Gaudiya Math, (or let’s say, some, or most of the branches, since not all of them follow the exact same sequence in terms of order of Personality to Whom they are offering. Some offer to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu before offering to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna).

This March 29/09 email (this part submitted here), written by Gaura Keshava prabhu was sent to me by one devotee:

“…do we follow Srila Prabhupada’s personal example or the sastra that he gave us???

“My contention is that we must follow the sastra that he has given us, and we must not imitate his personal example when it does not technically follow sastra.

“So the system of arotik in all Gaudiya Vaisnava temples is to first pay obeisance to the guru and take his permission for worshiping Lord Krsna. Then worship Krsna first and then Radha then Mahaprabhu and the guru parampara in descending (senior to junior) order, lastly the arotik items are to be offered to the assembled devotees. In ISKCON Srila Prabhupada instituted another order offering the items to the guru first. In this case the item cannot technically be offered afterwards to the Lord having first been enjoyed by the guru. This is technically not correct. Therefore we must in this case follow sastra and adapt our worship method to the one followed by all Vaisnava sampradayas. The doctrine or principle of worshiping the guru first is correct but the technicality of HOW that is to be done is incorrect.

“By the way this system is followed in most temples in Europe where I standardized the deity worship in the 1980’s. It is not followed in some temples like LA because some Prabhupada disciples find it difficult to accept and they have no experience of the correct technical details as practiced in India.”

sincerely

Gaura Keshava das

In an April 1, 1970 letter to Himavati prabhu, (Los Angeles), Srila Prabhupada wrote the following:

“Yes, it is nice that you are worshiping Lord Caitanya along with Radha Krsna. That is alright. Lord Caitanya should be placed to the right side of Krsna. There is nothing special for His worship, but you may continue as you are doing now. The order of worshiping is first Spiritual Master, and then Lord Caitanya, then Radha Krsna (as in the mantras or Bunde aham prayer).

“Your confidence to do whatever you are instructed by the Spiritual Master is very encouraging. Yes, this is the method of the Vedic injunction, staunch faith in Spiritual Master and Krsna makes one perfect in spiritual understanding.”

Srila Prabhupada wrote in a May 15, 1970 letter to Tamal Krsna (at that time), prabhu:

“Regarding the means of worship, our Vaisnava process is first offer respects to the Spiritual Master, then Lord Caitanya, and then Lord Krsna.”

In a Mayapur morning walk, Apr 8, 1975, Srila Prabhupada explained:

“A disciple is always in deficiency before his spiritual master. Just like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, guru more murkha dekhi karila shashana (CC Adi 7.71) ‘My spiritual master saw Me a fool number one. Therefore he has chastised Me.’ So disciple should be always ready to be chastised. He should not think that he has become perfect. That is perfection. So long he thinks that he is not perfect – he’s to be chastised – then he’s perfect. And as soon as he thinks that he has become perfect, he’s nonsense immediately, nonsense number one. [Break] …always to be chastised by the spiritual master for perfection. And if he thinks that now he has become perfect, then he’s a foolish. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru more murkha dekhi, ‘My spiritual master saw Me a fool number one.’ Was He fool number one? He’s God Himself. But that is the position. He should remain always a fool number one, ready to be chastised. Then he’s perfect.

Srila Prabhupada wrote in a Jan 4, 1973 letter to Dhruvananda prabhu:

“You have asked me several questions about the deity worship in Los Angeles, so I shall answer them one after another: …From now on unless I order you do something change or in addition, go on with the usual standard way. You manufacture ideas and then I have to waste my time. I have given you everything already, there is no need for you to add anything or change anything. Why you are asking these things? Who has given you such freedom? Pujari should operate entirely under the supervision of temple president and GBC, not independently. (My caps) THE GREATEST DANGER TO OUR MOVEMENT WILL COME WHEN WE MANUFACTURE AND CREATE OUR OWN PROCESS FOR WORSHIPPING THE DEITIES. So don’t ask any more new questions, WHATEVER IS GOING ON, FOLLOW IT JUST TO THE EXACT STANDARD AS I HAVE GIVEN YOU, THAT’S ALL…”

The following was sent to me in an email from one devotee in USA. In reply, under this email, I sent what was spoken by Srila Prabhupada in a SB 1.2.11 class, given Oct 22, 1972:

> I attended Bhagavad Gita class tonight at a
> devotee’s house, but I left in tears. The facilitator,
> while admittedly sincere and knowledgeable, kept mixing the
> philosophy of the Gita with ISKCON brainwashing (how Srila
> Prabhupada emphasized we should never leave ISKCON no matter
> what, that if a senior is deviating, we should go through
> the proper channels, and if nothing is done, we should
> simply tolerate until Krishna takes care of the matter, that
> ISKCON is the sole carrier of Mahaprabhu’s mercy etc.
> etc., that we cannot make real advancement outside ISCKON).
> I didn’t say anything, because I knew it would be
> controversial, and I didn’t think anyone was ready to
> hear that. In general, I try not to ask too many questions,
> because he seems to get agitated very quickly. So I try and
> be humble and submissive and just hear.

Srila Prabhupada (SB 1.2.11 class; Oct 22, 1972)

“…It is in the sastra. Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not give you anything which is not in the sastra. He’s Acarya, although He’s God Himself. He can make sastra. Whatever He does, whatever He speaks, that is sastra. But still, because He’s playing the part of Acarya, He immediately gives Vedic evidences. That is the way of Acarya. Acaryas will never say, ‘I think.’ ‘It is in my opinion.’ No. Such things are not accepted. NO PERSONAL OPINION. It must be supported by Vedic evidences. That is called parampara system, genuine system of understanding. As Krsna (BG 4.2) says, evam parampara praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. No change. Therefore we are presenting Bhagavad-Gita as it is. WE DO NOT CHANGE. We have no power to change. Then where is the authority of Bhagavad-Gita? I am a third-class man, and if I change the statements in the Bhagavad-Gita, then where is the authority of Bhagavad-Gita? That is going on.”

At the end of this class Srila Prabhupada explains: “Everyone can become representative of Krsna. How? If you simply carry the message of Krsna WITHOUT ANY ADULTERATION. That’s all.

“Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, amara ajnaya guru hana, ‘You become a spiritual master under My order.’ So IF YOU CARRY OUT THE ORDER of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Krsna, then you become guru. Amara ajnaya guru hana. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO NOT WISH TO CARRY OUT THE ORDER OF THE ACARYAS. WE MANUFACTURE OUR OWN WAYS. WE HAVE GOT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE HOW A GREAT INSTITUTION WAS LOST BY WHIMSICAL WAYS. WITHOUT CARRYING OUT THE ORDER OF THE SPIRTUAL MASTER, THEY MANUFACTURED SOMETHING AND THE WHOLE THING WAS LOST. THEREFORE Visvanath Cakravarti Thakura STRESSES VERY MUCH ON THE WORDS OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER. Vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nandana. If YOU STICK TO THE ORDER OF THE SPIRTUAL MASTER, then, without caring for your own convenience or inconvenience, THEN YOU BECOME PERFECT.”

yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau tasyaite kathita hy arthah prakasante mahatmana (Svet Up 6.23)

“This is the confirmation of all authorities. WE HAVE TO CARRY OUT VERY FAITHFULLY THE ORDER OF THE BONA FIDE REPRESENTATIVE OF KRSNA. THEN OUR LIFE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. THEN WE CAN UNDERSTAND KRSNA IN TRUTH. Vadanti tat tattva vidas tattvam (SB 1.2.11) WE HAVE TO HEAR FROM THE TATTVA-VIT, NOT FROM THE SO-CALLED SCHOLARS AND POLITICIANS. No. ONE WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH, YOU HAVE TO HEAR FROM HIM. AND IF YOU STICK TO THAT PRINCIPLE, THE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING VERY CLEARLY.”

May we always remain under the shelter of Srila Prabhupada’s Lotus Feet, that of Lord Nityananda/Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Sri Sri Radha-Krsna, and those of the Vaisnavas!!!

Your servant,

Dasi, B. Radha-Govinda
(June 2nd, 2009)