TEXT 40
tato rcayam harim kecit
samsraddhaya saparyaya
upasata upastapi
narthada purusa-dvisam
SYNONYMS
tatahthereafter; arcayamthe Deity; harimwho is the Supreme Personality of Godhead (the form of the Lord being identical with the Lord); kecitsomeone; samsraddhayawith great faith; saparyayaand with the required paraphernalia; upasateworships; upasta apialthough worshiping the Deity (with faith and regularity); nanot; artha-dabeneficial; purusa-dvisamfor those who are envious of Lord Visnu and His devotees.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes a neophyte devotee offers all the paraphernalia for worshiping the Lord, and he factually worships the Lord as the Deity, but because he is envious of the authorized devotees of Lord Visnu, the Lord is never satisfied with his devotional service.
PURPORT
Deity worship is especially meant for purifying the neophyte devotees. Actually, however, preaching is more important. In Bhagavad-gita (18.69) it is said, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: if one wants to be recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he must preach the glories of the Lord. One who worships the Deity must therefore be extremely respectful to preachers; otherwise simply worshiping the Deity will keep one in the lower stage of devotion.

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