152 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 3
Me.”’ For example, when a man pours water on the leaves and branches
of a tree without pouring water on the root, he does so without sufficient
knowledge or without observing regulative principles. The process of
watering a tree is to pour water on the root. Similarly, the process of ren-
dering service to different parts of the body is to supply food to the
stomach. The demigods are, so to speak, different officers and directors
in the government of the Supreme Lord. One has to follow the laws made
by the government, not by the officers or directors. Similarly, everyone is
to offer his worship to the Supreme Lord only. That will automatically
satisfy the different officers and directors of the Lord. The officers and
directors are engaged as representatives of the government, and to offer
some bribe to the officers and directors is illegal. This is stated in
Bhagavad-gita as avidhi-piirvakam. In other words, Krsna does not ap-
prove the unnecessary worship of the demigods.

In Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that there are many types of yajna
performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of
them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Yajria means Visnu. In
the Third Chapter of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that one should
work only for satisfying Yajiia, or Visnu. The perfectional form of
human civilization, known as varndsrama-dharma, is specifically meant
for satisfying Visnu. Therefore, Krsna says, “I am the enjoyer of all
sacrifices because | am the supreme master.”’ However, less intelligent
persons, without knowing this fact, worship demigods for temporary
benefit. Therefore they fall down to material existence and do not
achieve the desired goal of life. If, however, anyone has any material
desire to be fulfilled, he had better pray for it to the Supreme Lord
(although that is not pure devotion), and he will thus achieve the desired
result.

Although Hiranyakasipu offered his obeisances unto Lord Brahma, he
was strongly inimical toward Lord Visnu. This is the symptom of an
asura. Asuras worship the demigods as being separate from the Lord, not
knowing that all the demigods are powerful because of being servants of
the Lord. If the Supreme Lord were to withdraw the powers of the
demigods, the demigods would no longer be able to offer benedictions to
their worshipers. The difference between a devotee and a nondevotee, or
asura, is that a devotee knows that Lord Visnu is the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead and that everyone derives power from Him. Without
