Deity Worship - a Picture Lens

You can find many definitions of what is a vaishnava. There are different kinds. The main definition is, a devotee or worshipper of Vishnu. This lens is a mostly visual exploration of deity worship as seen in gaudiya vaishnavism. Gaudiya vaishnavas follow the bhaktii process, that is, a devotional process by which any person, from any upbringing, faith, country, race, etc., can escape the miseries of material life in this world, and go back to the spiritual world to be with God. One name we have for God is Krishna. It means, "He who is all-attractive". Therefore, although one may consider Krishna a hindu deity, really, because he attracts all, he is not a god only for Hindus.

One guru has said in his commentary on the Srimad Bhagavatam: "The conception of a devotee is quite different from the ordinary conceptions of men in general. The devotional school is always looking after the interest of the Absolute."

In other words, devotees aspire to make the Lord happy. We practice it. Why are we practicing? So that when we return to God, we will have perfected it, and can serve Him forevermore. This serving of the Lord, it is said in many scriptures (in various ways but with the same meaning), is not unpleasant, but actually our original position. By service, we gain relationship with God, and isn't that ultimately what the religious are seeking here on earth? We want to know God, to be with Him, to have a relationship with Him.

One way in which gaudiya vaishnavas seek this contact and relationship with God, is by worshiping Him in His deity form. We host God in temples and houses, and try to do Him some service. We believe that to have deep love for ones deity is to have deep love for God. There are many beautiful deities of Krishna and His incarnations and associates, and I want to show you some of them.

Whether you look at them from a spiritual point of view, an artistic point of view, or merely as a colorful visual display, all these pictures of these deities are quite something to look at.

KRISHNA - Krishna is the all attractive Supreme Person. He is supremely powerful, beautiful, and merciful. He appears as a young cowherd boy, with a dark bluish complexion, and carries a flute which He plays to enchant everyone. He is often seen with His elder brother, Balarama, or His beloved Radha.

RADHA - She is also known as Radhika, or Radharani. The scriptures describe Her as so beautiful, that She can even enchant Krishna, the enchanter of all. Her complexion is like molten gold. She is the beloved of Krishna, and She is literally love personified. She is the topmost devotee of the Lord, even though She is also Supreme. Her sole purpose and desire is to please Krishna. Although Krishna, being Supreme, needs nothing, He enjoys loving relationships. Radha loves Him the most.

GAURA - He is also known as Mahaprabhu, or Chaitanya. He is Krishna and Radha in one form. He is golden like Radha, and has Her love for Krishna. Yet He is nondifferent from Krishna. He spread the chanting of the holy mantra - "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare."

NITAI - He is also known as Nityananda. He is an incarnation of Balarama, and urges everyone to chant the holy mantra and to associate with and serve Gaura. He is more merciful than any other personality, and is never angry. Both He and Gaura appear with arms upraised, dancing and chanting the above holy mantra.

RAMA - He is the ideal king, the Supreme Ruler, and He carries bow and arrows. His consort, whose qualities and energy is like Radha's because She is an incarnation of that goddess, is named Sita. His qualities and pastimes are told of in the Ramayana, written by the Sage Valmiki. The bridge that His friends built to reach Lanka, where Sita was kidnapped, remains today. It is a set of large boulders underwater. American scientists uncovered it years ago.