Why is Ganesh worship being done in an ISKCON temple when it was not allowed by Srila Prabhupada?

by Chaitanya CharanSeptember 13, 2012

From K Jayadeva Dasa

Srila Prabhupada never allowed demigod worship in any of his temples around the world, no matter what was the local tradition of a particular Geographical region. It may not be against the Sastric injunctions to worship demigods, but when you are in a mission to clearly drive the point that Lord Vishnu is the Supreme, your purpose will be diluted if you install the deities of demigods since the society is already in utter confusion as to who is the Supreme Lord. It is not that we can follow anything just because it is not against the Sastras. That way polygamy is also allowed in the Sastras, but Srila Prabhupada has never allowed it in ISKCON. We have to see the examples set by the Acharya and accept. More than that, it is wrong not worship the installed deity, like offering arati etc., it is an insult to the personality. You should at least feed him with Krishna Prasad and give due respect for him.

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Chaitanya Charan
2 Comments
  • September 14, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Interesting history Of This Ganesh image .Thank u very much prji

  • K. Jayadev Das
    September 18, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Hare Krishna Prabhu, Dandavats,

    I accept your answer. Earlier I mistook the word ‘image’ for Idol, since people sometimes use these words interchangeably. If you had mentioned as picture I would not have mistaken. In addition, I thought it was made by devotees, now I got the the point, it was existing prior to your occupying the place.

    All your answers are well taken.

    I don’t know anything about the scholar who criticized ISKCON.

    Thanks for your kind answer.

    please forgive my offenses.

    Dandavats.

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