threaded | unthreaded | newest first

Ekadasi outfits

topic posted Thu, August 9, 2007 - 3:16 AM by  Krishna
Haribol!

I was wondering if anyone knew why deities wear only red and/or pink, and silver outfits on Ekadasi. I think this is the standard in ISKCON, and I don't even think other temples in Vrindavan follow this, nor is this a tradition from any other part of India (as far as I know). Doeas anyone have any idea about this?

My guess is that gold is an abode for Kali purusha, but why no gold for the deities (but devotees continue to wear gold?). Anyways, I look forward to other devotees' thoughts on this...

Hare Krsna!

SriRKd
posted by:
Krishna
offline Krishna
24 friends
join to post
  • Tattva
    Tattva
    offline 13

    Re: Ekadasi outfits

    Thu, August 9, 2007 - 4:39 AM
    Yes, I have also found this red-outfit phenomena on Ekadasi, but I do not have answer to this question.

    But regarding gold I have something for you to consider. There is nothing wrong with Deities wearing gold, but imagime what would happen if somebody steals it from the Deity. The offense of stealing became much worst and grave compared to "ordinary" stealing. I beleive no gems and gold rule have its basic this consideration. Deities should be opened to anybody, but if the Deity decorations will became an object of the envy with the desire to steal, than the purpose of generating devotion is gone.

    In Tirupati or other extremely wealthy temples the situation may be somewhat dfferent, since they have much better protection system and restricitions are much greater.

    YS Tattva-darsi
    join to post
  • manu
    manu
    offline 175

    Re: Ekadasi outfits

    Thu, August 9, 2007 - 6:46 AM
    well i kno that iskon tries to follow the colours of outfits in accordance to the days and the planets they correspond to and on ekadasi to have the outfits pink and silver - or red n silver.

    but its a good question sri ranganatha krsna prabhu!
    join to post
    • yajiv
      yajiv
      online 3

      Re: Ekadasi outfits

      Thu, August 9, 2007 - 10:16 AM
      "The scriptures say little concerning what colors of clothing to use on different days, but temples use their own traditional colors according to day and season (the Jagannatha temple in Puri, for instance). Many temples in Vrindavana dress the Deity in the color corresponding to the planetary gem of the ruling planet of the day of the week: gold (for the metal gold) or red (for ruby) on Sunday, white or silver (for pearl) on Monday, red or pink (for coral) on Tuesday, green (for emerald) on Wednesday, yellow or orange (for yellow sapphire) on Thursday, white, silver, gold, multicolor, or any color (for diamond) on Friday, and purple, blue, or black (for blue sapphire) on Saturday.*
      While this color scheme can be followed, it is not essential. As Shrila Prabhupada writes, "All colors may be utilized just suitable to your scheme" (letter from Shrila Prabhupada 16 January 1970).
      The Deities should be dressed in clothing suitable to the season--warm clothing in the cold season, light in the hot season. Dressing Deities according to season is prominent in traditional temples in Vrindavana.
      Shrila Prabhupada was displeased when devotees failed to dress the Deities in clothing suitable to the weather:
      It is not at all good that the Deities do not have warm clothing for the cold weather. [letter from Shrila Prabhupada, November 7, 1975]
      * There is no specific color designation for Ekadasi, Purnima (full moon) or Amavasya (new moon), contrary to popular opinion. "
      REF Pancharatra Pradipa
      www.salagram.net/sstp-upacharas.html


      Although white and silver is often used in traditional temples in India on Purnima,
      join to post
      • manu
        manu
        offline 175

        Re: Ekadasi outfits

        Thu, August 9, 2007 - 10:56 AM
        and black on amavasya ;)

        this is what is written in PP. thanx vijay ji.
        join to post
        • Krishna
          Krishna
          offline 24

          Re: Ekadasi outfits

          Fri, August 10, 2007 - 9:06 AM
          Haribol!

          I also remember reading in one of Srila Prabhupada's letters that he said that black in not a good color for the deities. Our temple has many black outfits, and the first time I saw the deities dressed in black, I myself was shocked...

          The gold on ekadasi wasn't real gold...just gold trim on the outfit, or gold colored beads and paraphrenalia (Ekadasi is always silver...flute, stick, necklaces, everything...)

          Thanks for all the responses.

          SriRKd
          join to post
          • manu
            manu
            offline 175

            Re: Ekadasi outfits

            Fri, August 10, 2007 - 9:18 AM
            maybe im a rebel (actually i kno i am :P lol) but i adore the deities dressed in black outfits....
            join to post
            • yajiv
              yajiv
              online 3

              Re: Ekadasi outfits

              Fri, August 10, 2007 - 11:32 AM
              Odly enough i just had this black outfit discussion with some relatives of mine. There's a gujarati superstition about people wearing black to festivals and weddings, apparently it attract the evil eye (However, these days if a woman wears black to a wedding people make lots of comments yet it seems to be acceptable for men to wear black suits). Also in Bengal black is associated with Tantrics that were quite popular in Chatanya Mahaprabu's time. This might be why Black outfits are not reccomended, however they are still some of my favs, i really like the black one with pink lotuses at the Boston Temple and the black and copper one at the Manor. for years i have been looking for a black outfit for my deities but have not had much luck, i plan on making one soon i've already collected some trim and beads for it and recently picked up a nice mukut to match as well. Also in the toronto temple above the door to the pujari room there's a picture of Radha Gopinatha (i think its from the 80's) in a beautfitul black velvet outfit, although i'm pretty sure its been retired by now.
              join to post
              • manu
                manu
                offline 175

                Re: Ekadasi outfits

                Fri, August 10, 2007 - 12:04 PM
                i LOVE that picture u are talking about of radha ksira-cora gopinatha prabhu :) its awesome
                join to post
                • Manish
                  Manish
                  offline 22

                  Re: Ekadasi outfits

                  Fri, August 10, 2007 - 3:43 PM
                  Haribol!
                  I love deities dressed in black! They're my fav, deities look so nice in them; odd Srila Prabhupada said that about it, I always thought he didn't mind since Iskcon temple use many black outfits. I myself have nearly finished making a black outfit for Janmashtami, although it's true what Yavij said, if anyone saw them they would be shocked; but really the Lord can wear whatever colour he wants, I mean, he is ShyamSundara ;o)
                  And I must say, what a sweet name, Ksira-Cora Gopinath!! How unique, and what a beautiful meaning..Jai! :o)
                  join to post
                  • This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
                    Krishan
                    Krishan
                    offline 16

                    Re: Ekadasi outfits

                    Sat, August 11, 2007 - 2:46 AM
                    'The Brahma-samhita confirms that the color the Lord's body is blackish, like
                    that of a new cloud. But this blackish color is so beautiful that it surpasses
                    the beauty of millions of Cupids. So this blackish color does not correspond to
                    any blackish color in the material world.'

                    Srila Prabhupada, Mukunda mala stotra, text 2 purport.

                    The idea here is that anything connected with Krishna is trancendentally beautiful and so not subject to our material conditionings; if Syama wants to wear black, why can't he?

                    YS,
                    Krishan
                    join to post
  • nitya
    nitya
    offline 2

    Re: Ekadasi outfits

    Mon, August 13, 2007 - 5:43 AM
    hare krishna prabhus

    Manu prabbhu was right about the colors corresponding to the planets. apparently ekadasi tithi is ruled by the planet mars. Mars is a fiery planet red in color (remember hearing it from my husband who has a deep understanding of astrology)and people who are born with mars as the ruler are often described to be ruddy complexioned.thats the reason for the deities being dressed in red. silver corresponds to moon/venus both of which are watery planets and similarly amavasya tithi is ruled by Rahu and hence the color black. I am glad i did not read about Srila Prabhupada not really approving of the color black before because i just got a set of dresses for my deities black in color complete with silver trims...but i was only inspired by the darshan i had of Sri Radha Madhava and the asta sakhis in Mayapur...when we were there in June (June 13 or 14)..if y ou look up the archives of the daily darshan on their website you'll see what i mean...
    haribol..
    nitya navina dasi.
    join to post

Recent topics in "Arcana"

Topic Author Replies Last Post
offering Jagannath - a Flute nitya 0 July 16, 2008
Flute Palcement onlineyajiv 3 July 13, 2008
Deity Dessecration?! MacMorrighan 0 June 28, 2008
Researching so-called "Idol-Worship". MacMorrighan 8 June 22, 2008