Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 14.9
The Lord Is Present in His Deity
“Jagannātha Miśra said, “Certainly child Kṛṣṇa is with the śālagrāma-śilā. Taking His childhood form, He is playing within the room.””
What the purport teaches
- Jagannātha Miśra said that child Kṛṣṇa was with the śālagrāma-śilā, playing within the room in His childhood form.
- All material elements are expansions of the Lord’s energy, which is nondifferent from His personal body. He can manifest Himself in His energy because of a devotee’s ardent desire.
- Deity worship is not idol worship. In a pure devotee’s house, the Deity can act exactly as the Lord does in His original transcendental personality.
Try this today
Read the statement that Deity worship is not idol worship, and pause to reflect on the Lord’s power to manifest Himself.
Ask yourself
How does understanding the Lord’s presence in His Deity change your view of Deity worship?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.