"You have heard the name of Vamsidas babaji. So sometimes, when his things were stolen, the disciples will cry that 'It is stolen.' So he said, 'Why you are bothering? One thief gives. Another thief takes. That's all. Who gave the money, he is also thief, and who has taken away, he is also thief. So why you are bothering?' One thief gives. Another thief takes.
(Morning Walk, Mayapura, March 13, 1976)

If you think this (the Deity) is a brass-made idol, then it will remain a brass-made idol to you forever. But if you elevate yourself to higher platform of Krsna Consciousness, then Krsna, this Krsna, will talk with you. This Krsna will talk with you. There is a Vamsidas Babaji Mahäräja, he was talking with his Deity.
(Lecture at Los Angeles Deity installation, July 16, 1969)

Srila Prabhupada: If we simply imitate, oh, that will not do. So do not try to imitate, follow the simple rules and regulations, it is very nice, and above all, chant Hare Krsna. You'll become purified. Without being purified you cannot touch Radha-krsna. In the Vedas it is stated, "Without becoming Brahman you cannot approach Brahman." Just like without becoming fire you cannot approach fire. Because the inconsistency of temperature. It will burn. Just like here is fire, and I am feeling temperature, but the fire flames within the fire, they do not feel because the temperature is the same. Similarly, without becoming Brahman, without understanding oneself, realizing himself, nobody can... Krsna is the Parambrahman. Param brahma param dhäma pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Purusam sasvatam, therefore one has to keep himself very purified; otherwise you cannot touch Krsna. That is not possible. It is fire, so you have to become fire. And how to become fire? Fire, you are also fire, but now you are covered fire, covered by this material body. Therefore you have to spiritualize this body by purificatory process. The same example, just like the iron rod, it is iron, but you put into the fire. It becomes warm, warmer, warmer, then red hot, then it is fire. Similarly, by this process, chanting process, by regulative process, you are becoming warmer, warmer, warmer, warmer. And when you fully become red hot warm, then your body is as good as Krsna's. So we have to keep yourself always in the fire of Krsna consciousness; then everything is all right. (laughs) Otherwise, it will become dull and it will be simply idol worship. That's all. That is the difference between idol worship and Deity worship. If there is no life, then it is idol worship, hedonism. And when there is life, feeling, "Where is Krsna? Here is Krsna. Oh, I have to serve Krsna, I have to dress Him, I have to serve Radharani, She is here. Oh, I must do it very nicely. And as far as possible decorate Her to the best capacity." In this way, if you always feel Krsna conscious, then you are fire. The same example, keeping with the fire. And if you think it is a brass-made doll, I mean to say, idol... Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. If you think this is a brass-made idol, then it will remain a brass-made idol to you forever. But if you elevate yourself to higher platform of Krsna consciousness, then Krsna, this Krsna, will talk with you. This Krsna will talk with you.

There is a Vamsidas Babaji Maharaja, he was talking with his Deity. And Krsna... Just like Madana-mohana, He was talking with Sanatana Gosvami. Madana-mohana... Sanatana Goswami at that time had no temple; he was hanging his Deity on the tree. So Madana-mohana was talking with him, "Sanatana, you are bringing all these dry capatis, and it is stale, and you don't give Me even little salt. How can I eat?" Sanatana Gosvami said, "Sir, where shall I go? Whatever I get I offer You. You kindly accept. I cannot move, old man." You see. So Krsna had to eat that. (chuckles) Because the bhakta is offering He cannot refuse. Ye mam bhaktya prayacchati. Real thing is bhakti. What you can offer to Krsna? Everything belongs to Krsna. What you have got? What is your value? And what is the value of your things? It is nothing. Therefore real thing is bhaktya, real thing is your feeling. "Krsna, kindly take it. I have no qualification. I am most rotten, fallen, but (begins to cry) I have brought this thing for you. Please take it." This will be accepted. Don't be puffed up. Always be careful. You are dealing with Krsna. That is my request.

Thank you very much.