Prayer vs. Glorification of Bhagavan (aka God)

Recently I attended a seminar at the Krishna Life Monastery in Atlanta, GA. The speaker HG Bhrigupati prabhu compared and contrasted the Prayer vs. Glorification of God. Prayer is a one way street where we put forth our list of requests such as:

• Give me a seat in IIT, Harvard, Stanford or any other college of choice.
• Give my kids good grades
• Get me a good husband or wife
• Allow me to build a big house for myself
• Destroy my enemies
• Get me a Green Card in America
• God, give me my daily bread

We tend to think of God as an order supplier. We have this notion that God should be somehow listening to my demands regardless of what we have done for Him. God provides the daily bread to all living entities without asking - how is the population of birds in greater Dallas Texas growing. Do they go to office and work for 8-10 hours a day?

Prayer is not a monotonous drone, but a vibrant symphony, encompassing the full spectrum of emotions – from the depths of despair to the heights of joyous praise.

Scriptures like the Bible overflow with examples of prayer. From Abraham's pleas for Sarah to the constant communication of Jesus with his Father, Bhagavan Krishna, prayer is woven into the narrative. The Psalms, a collection of poetic prayers, offer a window into the emotional spectrum of Christian prayer – from lamentations of despair to joyous praises.

Diverse Practices

Christian prayer takes many forms. Public worship often features set prayers and hymns, while private devotions allow for intimate, spontaneous expressions.

The A.C.T.S. of Prayer

A helpful framework for prayer is ACTS:

• Adoration: Expressing awe and praise for God's character and creation.
• Contrition: Confessing shortcomings and seeking forgiveness.
• Thanksgiving: Offering gratitude for blessings and provisions.
• Supplication: Making requests for oneself and others, with an openness to God's will.

Unanswered prayers can be a major hurdle in a Christian's prayer life, leading to discouragement and even doubt. Here's a deeper dive into why this happens and how to navigate it:

• Shattered Expectations: We often pray with a specific outcome in mind. When that outcome doesn't materialize, it can feel like God isn't listening, causing disappointment and a sense of powerlessness.
• Questioning Faith: Unanswered prayers can raise doubts about God's goodness or our own understanding of his will. It can feel like our faith has failed us, leading to a crisis of belief.
• Feeling Disconnected: Prayer is meant to foster closeness with God. When prayers seem to go unanswered, it can feel like we're talking into the void, leading to a sense of isolation and distance from the divine.

A Vedic Perspective:

In the Hare Krishna tradition founded by Srila Prabhupada, prayer and glorification are intertwined concepts serving the ultimate goal of devotional service (bhakti) to Krishna. Here's a breakdown of Srila Prabhupada's perspective:

Prayer as Cultivation of Love

• Focus on Relationship: Unlike petitionary prayer for specific outcomes, Prabhupada emphasized prayer as a way to cultivate a loving relationship with Krishna. It's a heartfelt expression of devotion, gratitude, and yearning for his association.
• Chanting: The core prayer practice in ISKCON is the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra, a continuous chanting of sacred names seen as a form of direct communication with the divine.
• Japa Meditation: The silent repetition of the mantra (japa) allows for deeper introspection and connection with Krishna.

Glorification as Expression of Awe

• Glorifying Qualities: Prayers and hymns often glorify Krishna's divine qualities – his infinite power, wisdom, beauty, and compassion. This instills awe, reverence, and a desire to serve him.
• Bhagavad-gita Readings: Daily readings and discussions of the Bhagavad-gita, a sacred scripture, are a form of glorification, as they delve into Krishna's teachings and divine nature.
• Arati Ceremony: The arati, a ritual offering of light, flowers, and incense, is a visual glorification expressing appreciation for Krishna's presence.

Prayer and Glorification as Tools for Bhakti

• Developing Pure Love: Both prayer and glorification are ultimately tools for developing pure devotional love (prema bhakti) for Krishna. They purify the heart, removing selfish desires and fostering a selfless desire to serve him.
• Serving the Deity: Devotees lovingly care for the murti (deity form) of Krishna, considering it a non-different manifestation of the divine. This service becomes a form of prayerful interaction.
• Spiritual Master's Guidance: Following the guidance of a spiritual master (guru) is seen as another form of prayerful connection. Obeying the guru's instructions is believed to be a way to please Krishna.

Handling the Discouragement when prayers go unanswered

• Reframing Expectations: Understanding that God's timing and plan may not align with ours is crucial. Prayer is about aligning our will with God's, not the other way around.
• Trusting God's Sovereignty: Even when we don't understand the answer, believing in God's ultimate goodness and control over our lives can bring peace.
• Seeking God's Guidance: Sometimes unanswered prayers are a prompt to re-evaluate what we're asking for. Use this as an opportunity to delve deeper into scripture and seek God's guidance for your desires.
• Finding Meaning in the Journey: Growth in faith often happens through challenges. Look for ways that unanswered prayers might be shaping your character, building your resilience, or teaching you about patience and trust.
• Acknowledgement of Reality: Ignoring suffering creates a false reality. Lament allows us to be honest with God about the pain in our lives, whether it's personal loss, illness, injustice, or the brokenness of the world.
• Vulnerability and Dependence: Pouring out our pain to God fosters a sense of vulnerability and dependence on him. It acknowledges that we don't have all the answers and that we need his comfort and strength.
• Potential for Growth: Lament can be a catalyst for growth. As we express our grief and grapple with unanswered questions, God can bring healing and a deeper understanding of his purposes.
• Hymns and Songs: Throughout history, Sanatniyas have expressed their adoration for God through mantras and songs. Singing together fosters a sense of unity and joyful worship.
• Gratitude in Everyday Life: Simple expressions of thankfulness for daily provisions – a good meal, a beautiful sunrise, or the laughter of loved ones
• Awe and Wonder: Contemplating the vastness of the universe or the intricate design of the human body can evoke feelings of awe and wonder, leading to spontaneous praise of God's creative power.
• Honesty is Key: Don't be afraid to bring your true emotions before God, both positive and negative.
• Trusting the Process: Sometimes, lament precedes praise. Allow yourself to grieve and express your doubts before finding solace in God's presence.

Case study of queen Kunti:

Kunti's life was a crucible of suffering. Abandoned at birth, she faced exile, polygamy, the abduction of her children, and the devastating war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Yet, through it all, her unwavering faith and her powerful prayers shine through.

Prayers as a Dialogue with the Divine

Kunti's prayers aren't mere requests; they're intimate conversations with the divine. They delve into philosophical themes, revealing her understanding of God's omnipresence and omnipotence.

Key Themes in Kunti's Prayers

Here are some key themes that resonate through her prayers:

• Seeking Strength in Challenges: One of the most striking aspects of Kunti's prayers is her request for difficulties. She believed that facing challenges would bring them closer to Krishna, Svayam Bhagavan (the original Godhead. Vishnu, along with other avatars like Rama, are seen as expansions or manifestations of Krishna's divine energy) reminding them of their spiritual path.
• Surrender and Acceptance: Kunti acknowledges the impermanence of the material world and emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's will. She encourages detachment from worldly desires and a focus on the eternal.
• Devotion and Love: At the heart of Kunti's prayers lies her unwavering devotion to Krishna. She sees him as the protector, guide, and source of ultimate liberation.

Queen Kunti from the e[pic Mahabharata mentions problems as a way to remember Krishna:

vipada? santu tā? ?a?vat tatra tatra jagad-guro

bhavato dar?ana? yat syād apunar bhava-dar?anam

I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You(Krishna) again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.

Conclusion:

Glorify Bhagavan(Supreme God) Krishna, do not ask for benedictions. Some prayers from the Gaudiya Vaishnavism:

k???āya vāsudevāya devakī-nandanāya ca

nanda-gopa-kumārāya govindāya namo nama?

Let me therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto the Lord, who has become the son of Vasudeva, the pleasure of Devakī, the boy of Nanda and the other cowherd men of V?ndāvana, and the enlivener of the cows and the senses.

nama? pa?kaja-nābhāya nama? pa?kaja-māline

nama? pa?kaja-netrāya namas te pa?kajā?ghraye

My respectful obeisances are unto You, O Lord, whose abdomen is marked with a depression like a lotus flower, who are always decorated with garlands of lotus flowers, whose glance is as cool as the lotus, and whose feet are engraved with lotuses.