Page 14 - WIS - Eng

xii Introduction

Personality of Godhead, who possesses spiritual personality, form,
and qualities, who is the origin of everything, who empowers all
to act, who is the ultimate bestower of all benedictions, and who
therefore is the topmost object of worship. One who knows this
truth does not need to worship anyone else to achieve perfection.
Although the Vedas mention a variety of gods, they are ranked
hierarchically. As within a government a prime minister deputes
many subordinate ministers to manage affairs on his behalf, so
also there is one Supreme Personality of Godhead who, although
fully self-sufficient and not in need of anyone’s help, nonetheless
authorizes certain individuals to assume on His behalf important
posts in universal affairs. These empowered souls are called devas,
or demigods. Although decorated with godly qualities and thus
above ordinary mortals, the devas are still jévas, or living entities.
Therefore, to worship demigods, all of whom are dependent on the
Supreme Lord, is inferior to worshiping God Himself.
Some of the prominent devas are: Lord Brahmä, the creator;
Lord Çiva, the destroyer; and Goddess Durgä, material nature
personified. But above all of them is Lord Kåñëa, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. In the Bhagavad-gétä (7.7), Kåñëa says:
mattaù parataraà nänyat kiïcid asti dhanaïjaya
“O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me.”

Nevetheless, most worshipers of demigods will not accept this
simple fact. Indeed, throughout the ages the question Who
is supreme? has been debated. However, by wielding strong
arguments based on the çästras, Çrépäda Rämänujäcärya, Çrépäda
Madhväcärya, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and many other stalwart
Vedic scholars defeated all false theories and mercifully revealed
the truth—that God is one, His name is Viñëu (Kåñëa), and all
others are His servants. Consequently, it is the duty of everyone to
serve the Lord with love and devotion, as He Himself recommends: