Srila Rupa Goswami personally carved the deities of Radha Damodar and entrusted Them under the care of Jiva Goswami. Srila Prabhupada quotes: arcye viñëau çilä-dhér guruñu nara-matir vaiñëave jäti-buddhiù çré-viñëor nämni çabda-sämänya-buddhiù. If we consider the form of the deity to be made of wood or stone, the guru to be an ordinary human being, a Vaishnava to be restricted to some caste, creed or race, then our consciousness is hellish.
One time Srila Prabhupada was challenged, “How could you limit God in a form made of wood or stone?” Srila Prabhupada with deep conviction replied, “How could you limit God by saying that he can’t be in a form made of wood or stone?”
Radha Damodar would speak to Jiva Goswami. One time when Jiva Goswami was doing his seva and something incredible happened. He heard the sweet sound of Krishna’s flute permeating the entire Radha Damodar compound. He heard, “Jiva Jiva come I am playing the flute for you.” Jiva Goswami went to the altar and saw the murti of Radha Damodar playing the flute and dancing.
– Radhanath Swami
This article will reinforce faith of devotees in worshipping the deity of the Lord. Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing this very inspiring incident with us!
Amazing reply by Srila Prabhupada! “How could you limit God by saying that he can’t be in a form made of wood or stone?”
Yes i do agree.
Very beautiful deities. This is really amazing.
Radhanath Swami gives accurate and crystal clear knowledge about meaning of deities of Lord with true story and conviction of his guru Prabhupad. Its brief but expressive. Thank you for sharing.
Yes the complimentary pastime is also so sweet to hear.
Very faith increasing article this is! Thank you Radhanath Swami for this.
The example quoted by HH Radhanath Maharaj shows how deities are not just idols but personalities that can reciprocate.
Only a pure devotee like Radhanath Swami Maharaja can explain such narrations of the Lord’s pastimes !!
Wonderful article & photos….
Only when we hear about deities, their pastimes, devotees from great souls like Radhanath Swami we can appreciate them far better than we just seeing them through our conditioned eyes.
Thank you Radhanath Swami very much.
Ys
We all are so fortunate to hear such wonderful stories from a pure devotee like Radhanath Swami Maharaj
“Don’t try to see Krsna, but act in such a way that Krsna wants to see you” Then Krsna pleased with srila Jiva Gosvami. Now Krsna is pleased with Srila Radhanatha Svami Maharaja. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami maharaja.
Incredible pastimes!
Thank you for sharing this information on relationship between Jiva goswami and Radha Damodar deities
Prabhupad was always very clear and strong in his preaching and he could transfrom anyone and everyone coming in his contact.
Photos of deity are really good,
Narrations of such pastimes by the pure practitioners like Radhnath Swami enchants the heart.
Amazing pastime and very grave answer by Shrila Prabhupada. Thank you very much for sharing it.
Very beautiful pastime. For an atheist it will be difficult to believe but Lord says in Bhagwat Gita, Ye yatha mam prapadyete… i.e. I reciprocate the way as some one approaches me. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
Beautiful dieties
Srila Prabhupad’s reply is so amazing. Really Lord can come in any form and the pastime of Sri Sri Radha Damodar with Srila Jiva Goswami are so charming. Thanks for sharing.
Such is the glory of faith and the force of reciprocation.
If we consider the deities to be some stone or wood then we can never find Krishna playing flute for us….This is the mercy of the supreme lord that he comes in front of our eyes in the deities form so that we pray to him, can cherish his association and follow the right path…the path of Bhakti!
Sri Sri Radha Damodharji ki jaya…..!
Wonderful narration of Damodar pastime… SP’s conviction and reasoning is amazing…