The Meaning of Vyāsa-pūjā by Kīrtanānanda Swami
The Meaning of Vyasa-pūja by Kirtanananda Swami
Vyasa-pūja, worship of the spiritual master, is not some modern invention. It has existed since history began. Srila Vyasa is the incarnation of Godhead who compiled the Vedas over five thousand years ago. So "Vyasa-pūja" refers to worshiping the bona fide guru who is following in disciplic succession from Srila Vyasadeva.
People sometimes question why the spiritual master who appears as an ordinary human being is worshiped in the same way as we worship the Supreme Lord Himself. This is not very difficult to understand even by material example. For instance, the viceroy or representative of the king is given all respects that are due to the king. Sometimes presentations are even made to him when in fact they are meant for the king, but he never keeps such gifts for himself, nor does he consider that since all these people are honoring him that he has become as good as the king. He always remains the king's obedient servant.
Similarly, the spiritual master is the most obedient servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. He never thinks that his disciples are worshiping him. He is simply accepting it all on behalf of Krsna. As far as the disciple is concerned, he has no other means of approaching Krsna save and except through the medium of the bona fide spiritual master. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, a great acarya in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, has written, "By the mercy of the spiritual master, one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, no one can make any advancement." Therefore, all respect, worship and humble service are due to the spiritual master, who is addressed as "His Divine Grace", because without his help no one can become free from the cycle of repeated birth and death.
Our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has practically demonstrated the potency of a bona fide representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In twelve short years he preached all over the world to people who had never heard of Krsna. Now, in every continent of the glove there are temples filled with devotees chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare and following the rules and regulations of devotional service.
In appreciation of his divine work, his disciples have compiled these humble offerings in an attempt to glorify their eternal well-wisher, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
-Kirtanananda Swami
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