Question: Can we continue to pray to other gods like Ganesha, Sathya Narayana, Kartikeya, Saraswathi etc. in addition to chanting the Holy Name?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
It is not wrong or forbidden to offer respects and worship to demigods provided we have the proper conception of the position of demigods. Otherwise, as Krishna says, worshiping demigods without proper understanding is ‘avidhi-purvakam’, or improper.
Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita that whatever benedictions are offered by the demigods are actually bestowed by Him only, in an indirect manner. (Cf. Bg 9.23, 7.21, 7.22) Generally, the benefits offered by the demigods are of a temporary, material nature. A pure devotee is not interested in such material benefits, but even if one does have such desires, they can simply worship Vishnu without diverting their attention to various demigods, because He is the ultimate benefactor. (Cf. SB 2.3.10)
The demigods are like different officers in the government of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, to mistakenly think that the demigods are either equal to or independent of Krishna is improper, just as it would be improper to approach a government officer and expect some benefits from them or offer a bribe, thinking them to be independently powerful. But when one has the proper understanding, then there is actually no special need to separately pray to or worship the demigods. As in the above example, when one properly follows all the laws of the state, there is no need to bribe an officer, although it is proper to offer him respect as a representative of the state.
Previously, Vaishnavas would sometimes worship certain demigods, only in order to successfully execute a particular service for Krishna. For instance, Arjuna worshiped Lord Shiva for divine weapons in order to succeed in his service of fighting the war. Even the gopis, the topmost devotees of Krishna prayed to goddess Katyayani, but their only prayer was that they could attain Krishna’s lotus feet. However, in our present time, our life is short, our capacity reduced and our distractions are great. Therefore, we are advised to simply focus on worshiping the Supreme Lord with all our attention, and everything material and spiritual can be accomplished in this age simply by chanting Hare Krishna.
