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Gaudiya Discussions Archive » DEVOTIONAL PRACTICES
Discussions specifically related with the various aspects of practice of bhakti-sadhana in Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

Demigod worship and bhakti-yoga - Descriptions sought



kanai - Fri, 02 Aug 2002 08:42:03 +0530
Is there anywhere in scriptures mentioned anything about demigod worship and bhakti yoga? Lord Ganesha is removing obstacles on the path of devotional practice.As we know he was also helping Srila Vyasadeva to write Srimad Bhagavata.Any thoughts?
Radhapada - Sun, 04 Aug 2002 01:19:30 +0530
Within the nitya lila in ones manjari svarupa one can accompany Sri Radhika during the end of the mid-day pastimes to Surya Kunda to worship Suryadeva. Radhika becomes attracted to the bogus brahmana pujari (Krsna) there who is deceiving Jatila with His smart appearance of a brahmana priest and wity knowledge of puja. Jatila becomes somehow satisfied with His puja performance while He becomes thrilled by getting Radha's association in the very presense of Jatila. One can assist Radhika during the flower picking pastimes which are meant for Surya puja. At that time Krsna meets Radhika and harrasses Her for picking flowers, claiming its an illegal activity and that He will punish Her by bringing Her to King Cupid.

As far as external bhajan is concerned Gaudiya Vaisnavas only perform exclusive worship to Pancha Tattva and Radha Krishna. Fasting on Siva ratri is done to honor of Mahadeva,
Sri Hari - Sun, 04 Aug 2002 10:02:15 +0530
QUOTE
Fasting on Siva Ratri is done to honor of Mahadeva


Dear Radhapada, as a Raganuga one honor Mahadeva as Lord Siva or Gopiswar or both ? What would be a better way to see and honor this Unique Personality that is present in so many Lilas? Following the line of Raganuga Bhakti.

Smallest servant
Harisaran das
Madhava - Sun, 04 Aug 2002 13:05:53 +0530
Shri Mahadeva presides in Vraja as Gopishvara in Vrindavan, Bhuteshvara in Mathura, Nandishvara at Nandagrama, Kameshvara at Kamyavana, Cakaleshvara at Govardhan and Kundeshvara at Radha Kund, protecting the holy dham from all directions. Prior to parikrama of Radha Kund we offer our respects to Kundeshvara Mahadeva, and prior to entering Vamsi Vat we pray for the blessing of Gopishvara Mahadeva, who guards the arena of the sacred circle dance. Every Vaishnava in the holy dham prays for the kind blessing of Shri Mahadeva. Visvanatha writes in his Sankalpa Kalpadruma (103):
vRndAvanavani-pate! jaya soma soma-maule
sanaka-sanandana-sanAtana-nAradeDya
gopIzvara! vraja-vilAsi-yugAGghri-padme
prema prayaccha nirupAdhi namo namaste

“O gatekeeper of Vrindavana! O Soma, all glories to you! O you whose forehead is decorated with the moon, and who is worshipable for the sages headed by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Narada! O Gopisvara! Desiring that you bestow upon me prema for the lotus feet of Shri Shri Radha-Madhava who perform joyous pastimes in Vraja-dhama, I offer pranamas unto you time and again!”
The young gopikas also worshiped Katyayani-devi. Of course this is all in Vraja-svarupa, just like surya-puja -- the difference being that Katyayani-puja is not there in the aprakata-lila.