Brajasundari napisał(a):
No cóz, wyglada na to, że nasi acaryowie byli w mayi... Bo w Bhakti-rasamrita-sindu (a zatem równiez w Nektarze Oddania) znajduja sie stwierdzenia typu: "nalezy wielbić Ganeśe ponieważ usuwa on wszelkie przeszkody na ściezce słuzby oddania"
Z wprowadzenia do Vedabase, podrozdział "What makes a good evidence".
In The Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada writes:
One should begin the worship of the demigod Ganapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Ganapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nrsimhadeva and in that way has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Ganapati.
We can take this as clear and authoritative proof that Srila Prabhupada wanted all the devotees in his society to worship Ganapati (Ganesa).
But balance that passage against this letter to Sivananda Dasa (August 25, 1971):
So far worshiping Ganesa is concerned, that is not necessary. Not that it should be done on a regular basis. If you like you can pray to Ganapati for removing all impediments on the path of Krishna Consciousness. That you can do if you like.
And finally, consider this letter, sent to "My dear Sons" in Evanston, Illinois, on December 28, 1974. (Srila Prabhupada sent nearly identical messages to several other devotees.)
I do not encourage you to worship this demigod, Ganesa. It is not required, it is not necessary. Simply worship Krsna. Perform nice devotional service to Krsna. Then your lives will certainly become perfect. Of course if one has got some sentiment for achieving the blessings of Ganesa for accumulating large sums of money to serve Krsna, then he may perform this Ganesa worship, privately, not making a public show. But first of all he must give me $100,000 per month. Not a single farthing less. If he can supply this amount, $100,000 per month, then he will be allowed to do this Ganesa Puja. Otherwise he should not do it. It will not be good. That is my order.
Although the injunction to worship Ganesa is clear and comes from a book, in this case the evidence from the letters weighs in heavier.
Also worth taking into account here: All other things being equal (which they may not always be), a later instruction outweighs an earlier one.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => We should weigh a statement from Srila Prabhupada carefully when we know he modifies or contradicts it elsewhere.