View source for Modern Folly of Worshiping Dogs

The propensity to worship is intrinsic to the living entity. It is observed that human beings cannot exist without loving and serving someone. However, when this natural tendency is diverted from the Supreme Lord, it finds its outlet in mundane objects. In modern civilization, this is frequently seen in the lavish care and attention bestowed upon dogs. This phenomenon is analyzed in the Vani not merely as a social habit but as a symptom of misplaced spiritual energy, where the service meant for the Absolute Truth is wasted on the temporary.

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=== Inherent Need to Worship ===
Worship is synonymous with love. Just as water is liquid by nature, the soul is a servant by nature. Srila Prabhupada explains that if a person does not have the opportunity or knowledge to repose their love in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they must find a substitute. Consequently, those void of God consciousness often adopt dogs as their masters, serving them with great attention.

* [[Vaniquotes:One has to worship something. Because it is my nature. I worship. Somebody worships God and somebody worships dog. Because I cannot remain without worshiping. Worshiping means loving. Without love there is no worship, there is no question|One has to worship something. Because it is my nature. I worship. Somebody worships God and somebody worships dog. Because I cannot remain without worshiping. Worshiping means loving. Without love there is no worship, there is no question.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The worshiping tendency is there, so if they have no information of God-worshiping, they must worship dog|The worshiping tendency is there, so if they have no information of God-worshiping, they must worship dog.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One must worship, but if they have no chance to worship God, they must worship dog|One must worship, but if they have no chance to worship God, they must worship dog.]]

=== Irony of Modern Civilization ===
There is a stark contradiction in modern social values. It is pointed out that society hypocritically reveres the dog while systematically slaughtering the cow. Furthermore, those who dedicate their lives to worshiping God are often ridiculed or viewed as sentimentalists, whereas a man walking his dog is respected as a gentleman. This inversion of values is a clear sign of the influence of illusion.

* [[Vaniquotes:When one worships God, he is criticized, and when he worships dog, he is considered a gentleman. So - It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss|When one worships God, he is criticized, and when he worships dog, he is considered a gentleman. So - It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Dog is worshiped and cow is sent to the slaughterhouse. What kind of civilization it is?|Dog is worshiped and cow is sent to the slaughterhouse. What kind of civilization it is?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:These boys and girls are worshiping God, and people criticize them, but when a man worships a dog, he is not criticized. In this way society has progressed. When one worships God, he is criticized, and when he worships dog, he is considered a gentleman|These boys and girls are worshiping God, and people criticize them, but when a man worships a dog, he is not criticized. In this way society has progressed. When one worships God, he is criticized, and when he worships dog, he is considered a gentleman.]]

=== Misconceptions of Divinity ===
A philosophical error often cited in these teachings is the impersonalist idea that because God is everywhere, everything is God. This logic leads to the absurd conclusion that a dog is also God. While the Supreme Lord enters the heart of every living being as the Supersoul, this does not make the individual soul—or the dog's body—equal to the Lord. The instruction is to worship the form of Kṛṣṇa, not the form of a dog.

* [[Vaniquotes:Because Krsna is everything, that does not mean I have to worship the dog|Because Krsna is everything, that does not mean I have to worship the dog.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Some foolish person, they propagate that "Whatever deity you worship, oh, that is God." Even, they say, if you worship a cat or a dog, that is also God|Some foolish person, they propagate that "Whatever deity you worship, oh, that is God." Even, they say, if you worship a cat or a dog, that is also God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because Krsna is in everybody's heart, how can everyone be Krsna? Then dog is also Krsna. So why one should go to the temple? He can worship his dog at home|Because Krsna is in everybody's heart, how can everyone be Krsna? Then dog is also Krsna. So why one should go to the temple? He can worship his dog at home.]]

=== Destination of the Worshiper ===
The process of worship dictates the future destination of the soul. It is warned that one's consciousness at the time of death determines the next body. By constantly meditating on and serving a dog, one risks attaining a similar nature in the next life. Conversely, directing that same worshiping propensity toward Kṛṣṇa guarantees a return to the spiritual world.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you worship Krsna, go to Krsna. If you worship the dog, you go to dog|If you worship Krsna, go to Krsna. If you worship the dog, you go to dog.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the morning, you take a dog and worship it. That is your business. Our business is to worship the form of Krsna|In the morning, you take a dog and worship it. That is your business. Our business is to worship the form of Krsna.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The modern trend of dog worship is not merely a harmless hobby but a symptom of a deep spiritual void. Srila Prabhupada teaches that the human form of life is meant for the highest engagement: loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To waste this rare opportunity by worshiping animals is a tragedy that keeps the soul bound in the cycle of birth and death. Real intelligence lies in recognizing the proper object of worship—Śrī Kṛṣṇa—and directing all our love toward Him.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Worshiping Dogs|Worshiping Dogs]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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