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Introduction To Deity Worship Complete

The document provides an introduction to Deity Worship within ISKCON, emphasizing its importance as a central aspect of bhakti-yoga and its scriptural basis. It outlines the significance of worshiping the deity with love and devotion, the role of a pujari, and the six offenses to avoid in deity worship. The training module concludes with a summary of key points and a preview of the next module on altar and temple etiquette.

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Achyuta Gopinath Das
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191 views10 pages

Introduction To Deity Worship Complete

The document provides an introduction to Deity Worship within ISKCON, emphasizing its importance as a central aspect of bhakti-yoga and its scriptural basis. It outlines the significance of worshiping the deity with love and devotion, the role of a pujari, and the six offenses to avoid in deity worship. The training module concludes with a summary of key points and a preview of the next module on altar and temple etiquette.

Uploaded by

Achyuta Gopinath Das
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Deity Worship

- Welcome to the ISKCON Deity Worship Training


- Importance of learning proper worship
- Structure of this module
What is Deity Worship?
- Worship of the Lord in His archa-vigraha (deity form)
- Authorized in Vedic scriptures
- A central aspect of bhakti-yoga
- 'The archa-vigraha is the Lord’s mercy form, allowing us to serve Him directly.' – Srila Prabhupad
Scriptural Basis of Deity Worship
- Bhagavad-gita 9.26: 'Patram pushpam phalam toyam...'
- Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 11, Chapter 27): Lord Krishna’s instructions on deity worship
- Hari-bhakti-vilasa: Traditional deity worship manual
- 'Deity worship is for neophytes to develop attachment to Krishna.' – Srila Prabhupada
Why Worship the Deity?
- Deity worship purifies the heart
- Helps develop a personal relationship with Krishna
- Srila Prabhupada emphasized deity worship in ISKCON temples
- Enhances devotion and discipline
- 'If one has no love for the deity, one has no love for Krishna.' – Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada on Deity Worship
- 'Without deity worship, we will become dry philosophers.'
- 'The deity is Krishna Himself, we should not see Him as stone or metal.'
- 'A pujari is Krishna’s personal servant; he should be exemplary.'
Consciousness in Deity Worship
- Worship with love and devotion (bhakti)
- Avoid mechanical rituals
- Always remember Krishna is personally present
Six Offenses in Deity Worship
1. Entering the altar unclean or improperly dressed
2. Offering impure items
3. Being inattentive in worship
4. Disregarding deity worship rules
5. Considering the deity as material
6. Acting disrespectfully towards the deity
Personal Preparation of a Pujari
- Waking up early (Brahma-muhurta)
- Bathing and wearing clean clothes
- Chanting minimum 16 rounds
- Maintaining purity in mind and body
The Role of a Pujari
- Daily seva: Aratis, bhoga offerings, dressing, and cleaning
- Maintaining a devotional mindset
- Representing Srila Prabhupada’s mission
Summary & Next Steps
- Recap of key points
- Next module: Altar & Temple Etiquette
- Questions and discussion

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