Question: I want to bring deities. I want to serve but I am not very good at deity service. I like surrender,I like bhava. I am actually most unqualified materially and spiritually. But I desperately want Gaura Nitai and Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra maiya at home. Please give your precious advice.

Jayapataka Swami: You can also worship pictures. It is called citrapaat. If you want to worship deities as practice deities, then you can tell me what service you want to do, I will give you some blessings. 10-Dec-2020 ŚRĪ MĀYĀPUR DHAM, INDIA

Question: In the class last week we heard that it is ok to accept the prasadam of Lord Siva, thinking that he is the foremost of vaisnavas. Similarly, if the prasadam of other devatas like Ganesa, Kartikeya, etc. are offered to us, should we accept thinking that they are also servitors of the Lord? Is it considered offensive if we don’t take the prasadam?

Jayapataka Swami: If you think that they are separate, then you should not take their prasadam, but if you see that they are devotees, then it is alright to take the prasadam. So it will be offensive to reject it. 10-Dec-2020 ŚRĪ MĀYĀPUR DHAM, INDIA

Question: What if a disciple breaks his initiation vow?

Jayapataka Swami: Normally, if one does a sin, there is some prayascita recommended. But there is no higher prayascita than devotional service. So if one breaks his vow he should pray to the deities, express to the guru and beg for forgiveness. Then he should try to...