used, as well as the body and the mind. Then I meditate on my spiritual identity as different from the body, understanding myself to be the eternal servant of the servant of the Lord. Next comes my worship for my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, with sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, a ghee lamp, and some food. I then ask for his permission to assist in the worship of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Repeating the same procedure for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Prahlada Maharaja, I begin to offer 16 items of worship through mantras — through the medium of water — to Lord Nrsimhadeva. I touch my head to the lotus feet of the Deity of Sri Prahl ada Maharaja, praying for his blessings. “It was only to relieve the distress brought to you by your demoniac father Hiranyakasipu, that the Supreme Lord appeared in His wonderful formof LordNrsimhadeva. O Sri Prahlada Maharaja, you are one of the twelve mahajanas, or great authorities of devotional service. Kindly bless me with the understanding of spiritual truths.” On the altar of Lord Nrsimhadeva are 60 salagrama- silas. I remove Them to offer abhiseka. The big sila in the center who wears a crown is a Nrsimha saligram. Although it is a scriptural injunction that one should touch one’s head to the feet of the Deity, it’s not always possible or practical. Therefore, we bring out the satari — the Deity’s shoes— mounted on what looks like a helmet, and place it over the heads of the devotees.
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