Krishna Deities and Their Miracles
How the Images of Lord Krishna Interact with Their Devotees
By Stephen Knapp
This
book helps reveal how the Deities of Krishna in the temple are but another
channel through which the Divine can be better understood and perceived. In
fact, the Deities Themselves can exhibit what some would call miracles in the
way They reveal how the Divine accepts the Deity form. These miracles between
the Deities of Krishna and His devotees happen in many different ways, and all
the time. This is one process through which Krishna, or the Supreme Being,
reveals Himself and the reality of His existence. Stories of such miracles or
occurrences extend through the ages up to modern times, and all around the
world. This book relates an assortment of these events to show how the images in
the temples have manifested Their personality and character in various ways in
Their pastimes with Their devotees, whether it be for developing their devotion,
instructing them, or simply giving them His kindness, mercy or inspiration.
This book helps show that the Supreme Reality is a person who plays and exhibits His pastimes in any manner He likes. This is also why worship of the Deity in the temple has been and remains a primary means of increasing one’s devotion and connection with the Supreme Being.
Besides presenting stories of the reciprocation that can exist between Krishna in His Deity form and the ordinary living beings, other topics include:
The antiquity of devotion to the Deity in the Vedic tradition.
Historical sites of ancient Deity worship.
Scriptural instructions and references to Deity veneration.
The difference between idols and Deities.
What is darshan and the significance of Deities.
Why God would even take the initiative to reveal Himself to His devotees and accept the position of being a Deity.
This book will give deeper insight into the unlimited personality and causeless benevolence of the Supreme, especially to those who become devoted to Him.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
THE ANTIQUITY OF DEITY WORSHIP IN THE VEDIC TRADITION
Historical Sites of Ancient Deity Worship * Scriptural References to Deity
Worship * Difference Between Idol and Deity Worship
CHAPTER TWO
DARSHAN AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEITY WORSHIP
CHAPTER THREE
WHY GOD REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS DEVOTEES
CHAPTER FOUR
STORIES OF DEITIES AND THEIR RECIPROCATION
The Temples of Vrindavana * Radha Damodara * Radha Syamasundara * Pisi Ma and
Her Deities of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda * Radharamana * Lokanatha
Goswami and the Deity of Radhavinoda Thakura * Lala Babu and the Krishna
Chandrama Deity * Banki Behari * Madana Gopala and Sanatana Goswami * Madana
Mohana in Karauli * Radha-Govindaji * Govinda Deva and the Gardener’s
Pomegranate * Udupi Krishna
CHAPTER FIVE
DEITIES IN OTHER AREAS OF INDIA
Jagannatha Mandir in Mayapur * Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura in
Mayapur * Ekachakra * Saksi-Gopala * Remuna * Alalarnatha * Yadagiri-Gutta *
Kanchipuram * Thiruattur * Trivandrum * Karamadai * Melkote * Nathdwara *
Pandharpur * Dwaraka * Badrinatha * Tirupati
CHAPTER SIX
STORIES OF LORD JAGANNATHA IN PURI
Lord Jagannatha and Dasia Bouri * Lord Jagannatha and Bandhu Mohanti * A Wish
Fulfilled
CHAPTER SEVEN
MORE RECENT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
Laddu Gopal at Sri Khanda * Gopal Giri * The Appearance of Lord Narasimhadeva in
Mayapur * Lord Narasimhadeva Reciprocates Instantly * Miracles in Mayapur * Lord
Narasimha in South Africa * Sri Sri Radha Gandharvika Giridhari in Mayapur * The
Bala Gopal Deity and Krishna Prema Das * Kicked by the Kartamasha Deity * Saved
by Gaura Nitai * Lord Balarama Shows His Presence * Lord Jagannatha in London
Soho * A Few Stories by Anju Kejriwal * Radha Krishna in My Dreams * Saved From
Nightmares by Balarama * Balarama Winks * The Hunter’s Blessing * Sri Govindaji
Reciprocates * Transported to Goloka Vrindavana * Stories of a Family’s
Spiritual Blessings * Lord Jagannatha Wants Watermelon
CONCLUSION
GLOSSARY / REFERENCES / INDEX / ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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