Avoiding Offenses in Deity Worship

The path of arcana, or Deity worship, is like walking on the edge of a razor. While it offers a direct means to serve the Lord, it also requires great care to avoid committing offenses known as sevā-aparādha. This article details the specific behaviors that are prohibited in front of the Deity and explains how maintaining a reverential attitude is essential for both temple priests and householders worshiping the Lord at home.

Prohibited Behaviors

The temple room is not a place for ordinary social interaction; it is the audience hall of the Supreme King. Therefore, actions that suggest a lack of respect—such as loud talking, arguing, chastising others, or even spreading one's legs—are strictly forbidden. The scriptures also list subtle offenses like praising or criticizing others in front of the Deity.

• (5) One should not circumambulate demigods before the Deities. (6) One should not spread his legs before the Deity. (7) One should not sit down before the Deity with his legs crossed, nor should one touch his legs with his hands.
• 13) One should not talk very loudly before the Deity. 14) One should not talk with others before the Deity. 15) One should not cry or howl before the Deity.
• One should not chastise anyone before the Deity.

Physical and Mental Purity

Offenses are not limited to external behavior; they also include one's physical and mental state. Entering the temple without washing one's hands and feet, or while in a contaminated state, is an offense. Furthermore, passing air, belching, or being under the influence of intoxicants are grave insults to the Lord's presence.

• One should not avoid bowing down before the Deity. 4) One should not enter the temple to worship the Lord without having washed his hands and feet after eating. 5) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state.
• One should not pass air before the Deity. (21) One should not neglect the sixty-four items of Deity worship. (22) One should not eat anything not offered to the Deity.

Worshiping at Home

The privilege of Deity worship is not reserved for temples alone. Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages householders to install Deities of Śrī Śrī Gaura-Nitāi or Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in their homes. By following the same standards of cleanliness and avoiding offenses, a family can turn their residence into a spiritual sanctuary where husband and wife chant and serve together.

• One can also discuss the subject matter of the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam and install Deities of Radha-Krsna or Gaura-Nitai or both and worship them very carefully in one’s own home.
• Let the man and woman combine together, live peacefully. The woman takes charge of the household affairs, the man may take charge of bringing money, and they meet together, have Deity at home, together chant Hare Krsna. Where is the difficulty? That is unity.

The Supreme Object of Worship

Finally, a devotee must understand who is worshipable. While demigods like Brahmā and Śiva are powerful administrators of the universe, they are not the Supreme Lord. Worshiping them as independent deities is a mistake. The devotee offers respect to the demigods but reserves their worship exclusively for Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa, knowing that He alone is the source of all existence.

• Krsna is the creator of all that exists in the material and spiritual worlds because these three principal deities (Brahma, Visnu and Siva) of the material world are created by the Lord.
• Lord Krsna said, "Persons who are neophytes in devotional service and who simply offer their respectful obeisances to the Deity in the temple but cannot realize that the Lord is situated in everyone’s heart."

Conclusion

Avoiding offenses in Deity worship is not meant to instill fear, but to cultivate love. Just as one is naturally careful and respectful in the presence of a beloved king or dignitary, a devotee is careful in the presence of the Lord. By strictly avoiding these prohibited acts and engaging the senses in positive service—dancing, singing, and offering obeisances—the worshiper ensures that their service remains pure and pleasing to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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