Question: I have a question related to meditating on Deities in the temple in the dhāma while chanting. Does it give us the same benefit as physically being there? What about offences when mentally being there? Are there risks of offences to the dhāma?

Guru Maharaj: We should be respectful, if we see the deities in the dhāma. When you see the deities on the TV, it may not be śuci, but apparently you cannot go into the temple that way as śuci. I have never heard that seeing a picture or video of the deity, one has to...

Question: You gave me initiated name as Varunapati Govinda das, but fellow devotees address me as Varunapati, therefore I started requesting them to address me as VP Govinda das, so everyone could rather take the name of Lord Govinda, rather than an adjective which is Varunapati. Could you please reassure me if that is ok? I am blessed that you have given me initiation and would like to make the most of that spiritual name.

Guru Maharaj: When Śrīla Prabhupāda had the spiritual name of Abhaya Caranaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami. But He used the name A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. So if someone asked what A.C. stands for, you tell them. So if you use VP Govinda das it is alright. Varunapati, the...