Lord Krishna’s deities in temples are like a channel through which the Divine can be understood and perceived better. In fact, the deities themselves can exhibit what some people would call miracles in the way they reveal how the Divine accepts the deity form. This is one process through which Krishna reveals himself and the reality of his existence. Stories of such miracles extend through the ages up to modern times. This book relates an assortment of these events to show how the images in the temples have manifested their character in various ways in their pastimes with their devotees; whether it be for developing their devotion, instructing them, or simply giving them His kindness, mercy and inspiration.
This book will give deeper insight into the unlimited personality and causeless benevolence of the Supreme, especially to those who become devoted to Him. Besides presenting stories of the reciprocation, this book gives rational and systematic explana-tion about antiquity of devotion to the deity, scriptural references to deity veneration, and information about historical sites related to Krishna deities.

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Contents

Introduction — 7

1. The Antiquity of Deity Worship in The Vedic  — Tradition — 13

2. Darshan and the Significance of Deity Worship — 44

3. Why God Reveals Himself to His Devotees — 48

4. Stories of Deities and Their Reciprocation — 53

5. Deities in Other Areas of India — 83

6. Stories of Lord Jagannatha in Puri — 129

7. More Recent Personal Experiences — 145

Conclusion — 198

Glossary — 203

References — 214

Stephen Knapp is a writer, author, philosopher, spiritual practitioner, traveller, photo-grapher and lecturer. He has continuously worked to help spread the profound and genuine spiritual knowledge of the Vedic philosophy so that anyone from anywhere can be benefitted by it. The main purpose of Stephen Knapp’s work is to offer simple yet accurate ways and explana-tions to comprehend the lofty insights found within the spiritual philosophy and Vedic culture of India, which has much to offer humanity. So far his intention seems to be working. He has been critically appreciated by many readers for his simplistic way of explaining the complexities of the Incomprehensible and Infinite in attractive words.