Deity worship paired with scripture study gradually elevates neophytes through stages of faith toward divine love of Krishna.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.36 — December 5, 1974, Bombay 741205SB-BOMBAY [37:09 Minutes] SB-03.25.36_741205SB-BOMBAY Nitāi: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. [devotees repeat] [leads chanting of verse, etc.] tair darśanīyāvayavair udāravilāsa-hāsekṣita-vāma-sūktaiḥ hṛtātmano hṛta-prāṇāṁś ca bhaktir anicchato me gatim aṇvīṁ prayuṅkte [SB 3.25.36] [break] [01:38] "Upon seeing the charming forms of the Lord, smiling and attractive, and hearing His very pleasing words, the pure devotee almost loses all other consciousness.
His senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service. Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he gets liberation without separate endeavor." Prabhupāda: tair darśanīyāvayavair udāravilāsa-hāsekṣita-vāma-sūktaiḥ hṛtātmano hṛta-prāṇāṁś ca bhaktir anicchato me gatim aṇvīṁ prayuṅkte [SB 3.25.36] So, śrī-vigraha-darśanam. This temple is situated to give people the facility as it is described here. Tair darśanīya avayavaiḥ udāra.
We have to see the Deity beginning from the lotus feet, not jumping over the smiling face. That is the way. First of all you try to see. And when you are practiced...
Try to see the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and when you are practiced to this habit, even after visiting the temple if you go home, if you are practice to see the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, that is meditation. So darśanīya avayavaiḥ: "Different limbs." First of all feet, then the thighs, then the belt, then the chest, then you reach the smiling face. Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's form... If you meditate on Kṛṣṇa's form, that is Kṛṣṇa.
So we associate with Kṛṣṇa, His smiling face, His flute, His hand, His dress, His consort, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī or any other, gopīs, surrounded by. In this way, practice this habit of observing the Supreme Lord. Therefore He has appeared arcā-vigraha, so that we can see Him. In our present eyes even Kṛṣṇa comes, but we have no eyes to see. Therefore for the kaniṣṭha-adhikārī...
There are three kinds of devotees: kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, madhyama-adhikārī and uttama-adhikārī. Uttama-adhikārī means first class, most advanced; and madhyama-adhikārī means in the middle stage, not very advanced, not very lower; and kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, just the neophyte, beginning. So for the beginners it is recommended that you see the Deity daily or always. Beginning from the lotus feet, as you are practiced, then go up to the smiling face.
And hear also Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Simply if you try to see and if you don't hear, then it will not stay very much. Therefore we see practically in many temples, because there is no discussion about Kṛṣṇa, simply a Deity is there, people go for some time, then gradually, especially those who are educated, so-called educated, they do not feel very much interested. And it has actually happened so.