The Real Meaning of Vyāsa-pūjā

The great question of life is how we can learn to understand who we really are. The direct answer can be ascertained most quickly by accepting the scientific conclusions of the Vedic authorities. Srila Vyasadeva, the original compiler of the Vedas, taught that the highest activity a person can perform is to perfect his existence by engaging himself and everything he owns in the loving devotional service of the Supreme Lord. One who can potentially relay this message of Vyasadeva, without alteration, to less fortunate souls who are covered by the darkness of ignorance is declared by God himself to be His best servant:

Spiritual understanding can be properly obtained through the authorized protocol of the chain of disciplic succession, spiritual master to disciple, starting from Vyasadeva. Vyasadeva himself learned from the Supreme Lord Visnu. Therefore, a spiritual master in the disciplic succession is the transparent via medium, the royal road to God. He is the perfect representative of the Lord, thus he is called "Prabhupada." Because of his confidential relationship with God he is honored with the same worship as God.

Traditionally, the spiritual master is shown respect by offering him the seat of Vyasadeva, the vyasasana, and by celebrating his birthday with the worship ceremony Vyasa-pūja. Part of Vyasa-pūja is the presentation by disciples of attempts to glorify the spiritual master in their own words. The purpose of these Vyasa-pūja offerings is not to showcase the knowledge, artistry or advanced devotional sentiments of the disciples. We are all just neophyte students without any such qualifications. Rather, they should be read as affectionate expressions of our gratitude to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada for saving the world, and as reflections of what we may have assimilated of the sublime message of Krsna consciousness, which can only be fully appreciated by giving submissive hearing to guru-muhka-padma-vakya, the nectarean words emanating from the lotus mouth of the spiritual master himself. It is these instructions, after all, which are Srila Prabhupada's most important gift. These instructions form the real substance of the Krsna consciousness movement.