Who Do You Worship and Why

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 3

Sage Suka explains different modes of worship for different people desiring success in particular subjects. He elucidates which deity one should worship for one's desired outcome:

• AUM: One who desires to be absorbed in the effulgence of the Supreme

• Brahma: One who wants to become an expert in the study of Vedas, One who desires domination over others

• Indra: One who wants to have the power and skill of his sense organs e.g sex life

• Prajapati (Viswakarma or Daksha): One who wishes to have good progeny

• Durga: One who desires good fortune and prosperity

• Agni: One who desires personal brilliance and powerful

• Surya, Chandra, Vayu: One who wishes for wealth

• Shiva (Rudra): One who wants strength and become a well-known hero, One who wants to attain mystic powers (yoga siddhis), One who wants to be known as a learned man

• Aditi: One who wants to attain heaven, One who wants to have ample food

• Viswadeva: One who desires to possess a kingdom

• Sadhya: One who wants to become popular among the general mass of the population, One who wants to control his subjects

• Ashwini-Kumaras: One who desires a long life

• Bhudevi: One who desires to increase physical strength

• Rodasi (Sky and Earth): One who desires stability at work

• Gandharvas: One who desires beauty

• Apsaras (Urvasi): One who desires beautiful women

• Vishnu: One who desires reputation or success in everything, One who wants spiritual advancement, One who wants to follow righteousness (Dharma)

• Varuna: One who is aspiring for treasures

• Parvati: One who wants a good marital relationship

• Gajanana: One who wants to become free of obstacles

• Yaksas: One who desires protection from danger

• Manu: One who aspires to kingship or sovereignty

• Chandra: One who desires all kinds of pleasure

Then the question is raised by Parikshit, why would anyone worship Vasudeva (Krishna), the Supreme Person when people get to worship many deities to fulfill their desires. Sage Suka addresses as follows:

A person with developed spiritual intelligence, whether he wants to become free of desires and attachments, whether he wants to fulfill his desires, whether he desires liberation will worship the Supreme Lord. As pouring water on the root of a tree energizes the trunk, branches, twigs, and everything else, and as supplying food to the stomach enlivens the senses and limbs of the body, simply worshiping the Supreme Lord automatically satisfies all gods, who are parts of that Supreme. The Supreme Lord is the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices.

How can one develop such intelligence to worship the Supreme Lord?

Sage Suka says anyone can develop such intelligence only by associating with a pure devotee of the Lord. When one hears and contemplates on the glories of the Supreme Lord, one becomes free from passion and ignorance and quickly develops the required intelligence and devotion.

A man with such intelligence realizes that the duration of his life is reduced by each sunrise and sunset, gives up the animalistic life of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, and optimally utilizes his time in hearing about the qualities of the All-Attractive One. He will then engage in singing the glories of the Lord, visits all sacred places where the Lord performed his activities, chants Lord’s names, and smells the fragrance of Tulsi leaves placed on the feet of the Lord.

Tattvavada philosophers emphasize the concept of distinction among souls (Atma-Taratamya) based on nature, qualities, and capacities.

• There is an eternal distinction between Soul and Super Soul

• The topmost soul is Lord Brahma

• The Super Soul is Vasudeva or Narayana

• The controller of souls is Lord Shiva

• The controller of Maya or material energy is Durga

All gods, saints, and spiritual masters are worshippable. The worship should be directed based on the distinctions and directions advised in the Vedic scriptures. Even though not everyone is the Super Soul, the Lord resides in everyone as the Super Soul.