Text 41] Ideal Family Life 19]

although worshiping the Deity (with faith and regularity); na—not;
artha-da—beneficial; purusa-dvisam—for 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 tasmén 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.

TEXT 41

gerate wer gut ata fag: |
aqrat faa Tan sa 3e atetay lez

purusesv api rajendra
supatram brahmanam viduh
tapasa vidyaya tustya
dhatte vedam hares tanum

purusesu—among persons; api—indeed; rdja-indra —O best of kings;
su-pdtram—the best person; brahmanam—the qualified brahmana;
viduh—one should know; tapasé—due to austerity; vidyaya —educa-
tion; tustya—and satisfaction; dhatte—he assumes; vedam—the tran-
scendental knowledge known as Veda; hareh—of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; tanum—body, or representation.
