Re: Congratulations

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

Dear devotees, dear Swami Gaurangapada

Upon reading Jaiva Dharma i stumbled upon a very relevant quote from Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirming the conclusion of Your discussion regarding Deity installation, which i would like to share with You here and which evoked further interests on my side: 

Shri Swami Gaurangapada: "He always said that the Deity appears first in the heart of the pure devotee and then becomes manifest externally. To give prana to the Deity by rituals is not what he recommended, it seems."

Shrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Jaiva Dharma, Chapter 5: "Bhagavan�s transcendental form of eternity, bliss, and knowledge is first revealed in the pure consciousness of the jiva, and then it is reflected in the mind. The external form of the Deity is fashioned according to this transcendental form revealed in the mind, and by the power of bhakti-yoga, the sac-cid-ananda form of Bhagavan then manifests in the Deity. When the devotee takes darsana of the Deity, that Deity unites with the transcendental form of Bhagavan that the devotee sees in his heart."

Dear Swami Gaurangapada Gurudeva, You also mentioned that Shrila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura: "... Himself performed a simple worship for 15-20 minutes behind closed doors and bathing during the installation of Shri Shri Shri Gaura Gandharvika Giridhari at Shri Chaitanya Math."

Could You please elaborate further on the meaning of this act of His Divine Grace especially in regard to the above mentioned quote from Jaiva Dharma?

Thank You very much

Your servant,
Matus

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