Are demigods bhavagrahi? Otherwise when demigod worship is done improperly, how does it produce results?
Are the demigods also bhavagrahi? Because we see that today much of the demigod worship is done without following the rules and rituals, regulations of demigod worship and still people do seem to get the results.
So, how does this happen? Answer. In general, any form of worship that we do or people do, it produces results to the extent that it is done properly. So, today, for example, Ganesh Puja is done.
So, to some extent, the rules are violated. To some extent, the rules are followed. So, to the extent where the rules are followed, to that extent, the demigod worship produces results.
And also, when we say demigod worship produces results nowadays, we have to understand what do we mean by the results. Many times, what people want from demigod worship is not the fulfillment of some desire that demigods should give them, but often the demigod worship is an exhibition of their religious piety and an ornament for their social ego. They want to show that I have made such a big Ganesh Pandal and I am doing such a big worship.
So, that is what they will get. But in general, to the extent people follow the rules and regulations properly, to that extent, they will get the results. And the principle is that demigod worship is also potent.
But today, when most people do demigod worship, they may go with specific prayers, but often the visit to the temples, especially in the festivals, is more of a social and a cultural event than a religious or a spiritual event. So, ye tha maha prapadyante. That applies not only to Krishna, but also demigods who represent Krishna indirectly.
So, if people come with certain social or cultural motives, then they will get that. And if they follow the rules and regulations properly, then they will get the results of the demigod worship also.