'Demigods are also devotees'

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, if... Since Krsna is the power that gives the demigods the ability to render everything, then why is it recommended in the Nectar of Devotion that a Vaisnava should worship Ganapati?

Prabhupada: Krsna worship, everyone. Just like we worship also ordinary man if it gives us facility to worship Krsna. We go to somebody and worship him, flatter him, because he will give some money, and it will be engaged in Krsna's service. The man is not worshipable, but he will help us to worship Krsna. Thereby he will be helped and we will be also helped, and Krsna will be satisfied. Krsna will be satisfied that "My devotee has brought some money from this rascal. All right." That is... (laughter) So Ganapati is also devotee. So Ganapati, it is not required, but sometimes we do. Just like gopis, they worshiped Goddess Durga, Katyayani. They did not require, but the social system is that. But they asked that Mother Katyayani, give us the opportunity to have Krsna as our husband." The aim is Krsna. Generally, they go to worship Devi Durga for asking material benefit. Dhanam dehi rupam dehi yaso dehi, the things which we want in material... But the gopis, they do not go for any material things. For Krsna. Similarly, we can go to any demigod. Why Ganapati? Everyone. But our prayer should be, "Please give us Krsna." Then it is correct.

Gurukrpa: When we were just traveling this last time and collecting, Srila Prabhupada, everyday we were offering some incense to Ganesa, and this prayer in the Brahma-samhita, yat-pada-pallava...

Prabhupada: Pallava-yugam vinidhaya kumbha...

Gurukrpa: We were saying this, saying, "Give us facility to collect nice laksmi to use to build the temple in Vrndavana."

Yasodanandana: To build the temple for Krsna and Balarama in Vrndavana.

Prabhupada: Yes. That is good. Whatever possible facility is available from any person, we beg for it for Krsna's service, not for our personal benefit. [break] ...they forget Krsna. They forget Krsna. When they go to worship some other demigod, they forget Krsna, kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah [Bg. 7.20], because they have got so strong material desires that they forget Krsna. That is harmful. Antavat tu phalam tesam [Bg. 7.23]. They get some benefit out of the demigod, but that will not stay. Alpavat, er, antavat. Antavat tu phalam tesam. But if you take Krsna, then it is not antavat, it will go on increasing. If you take to Krsna consciousness, it will never end. It will increase. Anandambudhi-vardhanam, increasing. The ocean does not increase, but Krsna consciousness is such a great ocean that it increases only. Anandambudhi-vardhanam.

Candanacarya: Is it not better just to say, "Krsna, whatever You decide. Whatever You give me, that I will accept." Like Kunti.

Prabhupada: Why shall I take from Krsna? You should give.

Candanacarya: No, I mean. Instead of praying to demigods to give me something, saying, "Whatever you decide Krsna."

Prabhupada: Oh yes. No. A devotee never prays to Krsna. They have to undergo so much trouble; still they never pray to Krsna. They know that "Krsna will give us ultimately protection. Let us do our duty." Tat te 'nukampam susamiksamanah [SB 10.14.8]. When a devotee is in difficulty, he is not disturbed. He thinks, It is Krsna's wish that I should suffer like like this. It is not suffering; it is my pleasure." Just like when a patient is undergoing surgical operation, there is pain, but he knows, "It is better for me." Therefore agrees, "Yes sir. You go on with your knife." So when you are surrendered to Krsna, and Krsna says that "I shall give you protection," so even in our distressed condition we must know that we are being protected by Krsna. We should not be disturbed. Because we create so-called distress and happiness. Actually this world is distress. Here the so-called happiness is also distress. So why a devotee should be disturbed by distressed condition? Harer nama harer nama [Cc. Adi 17.21]. [break]

(Morning Walk - January 10, 1974, Los Angeles)