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Prapatti and Anya Devata Aradhana

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Jay.Bharadwaj • October 19, 1995 


When I stated the two reasons that could make Prapatti ineffective I
was quoting Srimad Azhagiya Singar the 45th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt.
 In reply to Ramadasa's question, the Guru is worshipped and given a
level of respect equal to Krishna.  Lakshmi is His consort and
therefore does not have Her loka in the material world and is also
worshipable on a level equal to Krishna.  The only difference is that
 our relationship with Her is like that of a mother and child and the
5 different rasas we could have with Narayana cannot be had with
Lakshmi.  Hanuman and Garuda do not have lokas in the material world
that they control.  They are constantly engaged in the service of
Sriman Narayana.  When we think of Hanuman we automatically think of
Rama and Sita.  They are also worshipable in the same way that a Guru
is worshipped.  Offering lamps to Ganesha Saraswati etc is not a
practice done in Sri Sampradaya.  The distinction between Nanaskara
and Aradhana is very fine and I do not know exactly where the line is
drawn.  Most learned Srivaishnavas that I know restrict the Namaskara
to Anya Devatas to 3 times a day when they do the Sandhya Vandanam.
Towards the end of the Sandhya Vandanam they chant "Sarvabhyo
Devatabhyo Namo Namah:"  Other Sampradayas are more liberal when it
comes to interpreting Krishnas instructions in the Geeta in the 5
shlokas beginning with "Bahunam Janmanamante..."

I am not familiar with the term Mukhyaprana.

Jaganath.