I have been chanting 16 rounds for 2 years.I have been performing mangala and gauraarti at my home for 1 years.I love performing aartis.But i dont know the real method of performing aartis as it should be done according iskcon rules.I just offer incensestick,deep,tulasipatra,flower and scented cotten in sequence by revolving these items seven times on the images of pictures of deities. I feel sometimes guilty that i am doing aartis by my own ways without any rules.So i want to know , am i doing any offense? Is it right?
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Krsna Dasa,
Thank you for your comment. Your replies in this forum have been very intelligently worded and nice.
I agree with you. Krishna just wants our love any way we can give it.
There are people who chant 16 rounds a day and make very little progress because they are not acting with love. But there are those, too, who outwardly chant or worship little, but inwardly are falling in love with Krishna and becoming very close to Him. This has been my observation.
Of course some rules are good guidelines for developing love for Krishna, but once love is present, rules are secondary to pure love.
Let me share a story. Once, Krishna was surrounded by his devotees and began to get a headache. He said "if only one of you would put your lotus feet on my head, it would cure me."
"Oh, no," his devotees said, "it would be a great offense to do that! We would surely suffer in Hell for such an offense!"
So the devotees did not do as Krishna asked out of fear of punishment for breaking the rules. Then later Krishna went over to his gopis and told them of his headache.
"Krishna what can we do?" the gopis all asked. "How can we help?"
"Just place your lotus feet on my head, and I will be cured."
And the gopis said "of course Krishna, even though we may suffer in Hell for our offenses, it is worth it to relieve your suffering." And the gopis did as Krishna asked because their love for Him is so great that it overcame their fear of being punished.
Krishna's headache was cured and of course the gopis were not sent to Hell.
So when pure love is established, Krishna may even test our love by asking us to "break the rules." We cannot compare ourselves to the gopis, but the principle is the same.
Hare Krsna, My obeisances to all devotees, guru and gauranga.
Your sadhana is very commendable prabhu. Keep it up.
Do what ever you are doing with love. That one element will overcome all the offenses. Following rules is ok but if one doesnt develop the love for Krsna then even if one follows the rule book to the word, the effect wouldnt be the same. Love for krsna is beyond rules and regulations
The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna says within the Bhagavad Gita, that one can only understand him through devotional service, and that he will accept anything no matter how small or how big it may be. Remember, the purpose of Krishna Conciousness is to awaken love of Godhead, therefore Krishna does not care about your flaws. When one worships the Demi-Gods there is a lot of steps that must be taken, however the Supreme Lord is all merciful so he does not judge those who do not perform the aarti's in the right way. If you think it will be helpful however, to do the aartis in a prescribed order then please do so. However just know it is not necessary.
1st. Let me say that I admire your efforts & would like to convey that!
And I think you are going to find lots of resources and authorities to guide you in improving & perfecting your puja-efforts.
Again keep it up. I think you are admirable.Good luck & keep it up! All glory to SrilaPrahbupoda's pajarry-Pastimes.
Replies
Thank you for your comment. Your replies in this forum have been very intelligently worded and nice.
I agree with you. Krishna just wants our love any way we can give it.
There are people who chant 16 rounds a day and make very little progress because they are not acting with love. But there are those, too, who outwardly chant or worship little, but inwardly are falling in love with Krishna and becoming very close to Him. This has been my observation.
Of course some rules are good guidelines for developing love for Krishna, but once love is present, rules are secondary to pure love.
Let me share a story. Once, Krishna was surrounded by his devotees and began to get a headache. He said "if only one of you would put your lotus feet on my head, it would cure me."
"Oh, no," his devotees said, "it would be a great offense to do that! We would surely suffer in Hell for such an offense!"
So the devotees did not do as Krishna asked out of fear of punishment for breaking the rules. Then later Krishna went over to his gopis and told them of his headache.
"Krishna what can we do?" the gopis all asked. "How can we help?"
"Just place your lotus feet on my head, and I will be cured."
And the gopis said "of course Krishna, even though we may suffer in Hell for our offenses, it is worth it to relieve your suffering." And the gopis did as Krishna asked because their love for Him is so great that it overcame their fear of being punished.
Krishna's headache was cured and of course the gopis were not sent to Hell.
So when pure love is established, Krishna may even test our love by asking us to "break the rules." We cannot compare ourselves to the gopis, but the principle is the same.
Thank you for your kind words Jake prabhu.
My only effort is just typing the content.
All the credits/glories should go to Srila Prabhupada.
Hare krsna..
Hare Krsna,
My obeisances to all devotees, guru and gauranga.
Your sadhana is very commendable prabhu. Keep it up.
Do what ever you are doing with love. That one element will overcome all the offenses. Following rules is ok but if one doesnt develop the love for Krsna then even if one follows the rule book to the word, the effect wouldnt be the same. Love for krsna is beyond rules and regulations
Chant and be happy.
Srila prabhupada ki jai..
Hare krsna
The Supreme Lord Sri Krishna says within the Bhagavad Gita, that one can only understand him through devotional service, and that he will accept anything no matter how small or how big it may be. Remember, the purpose of Krishna Conciousness is to awaken love of Godhead, therefore Krishna does not care about your flaws. When one worships the Demi-Gods there is a lot of steps that must be taken, however the Supreme Lord is all merciful so he does not judge those who do not perform the aarti's in the right way. If you think it will be helpful however, to do the aartis in a prescribed order then please do so. However just know it is not necessary.
And I think you are going to find lots of resources and authorities to guide you in improving & perfecting your puja-efforts.
Again keep it up. I think you are admirable.Good luck & keep it up! All glory to SrilaPrahbupoda's pajarry-Pastimes.