Why people worship demigods?
According to Padma Purana, there are different scriptures for worshiping different types of demigods. According to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, such instructions only bewilder people into thinking that the demigods are supreme. Yet if one carefully scrutinizes and studies Puranas, he will find that Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the only object of worship. For instance, in the Markandeya Purana there is mention of Devi worship or worship of the goddess Durga or Kali, but in this same candika, it is also stated that all the demigods – even in the shape of Durga or Kali are but different energies of the Supreme Viṣṇu (Krishna). This study of the Puranas reveals Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to be the only object of worship. The conclusion is that directly or indirectly, all types of worship are more or less directed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. In Bhagavad-gita, it is confirmed that one who worships the demigods is in fact only worshiping Krishna because the demigods are but different parts of the body of Viṣṇu or Krishna. Since neophytes are not all on the same transcendental level, they are advised to worship different types of demigods according to their situation in the different modes of material nature. The idea is that gradually such neophytes may rise to the transcendental plane and engage in the service of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
People are accustomed to worshiping different forms of demigods; however, in Bhagavad-gita, such a mentality is condemned; therefore one should be intelligent enough to worship only the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His different forms such as Lakshmi-Narayana, Sita-Rama, and Radha-Krishna. This one will never be cheated. By worshiping the demigods, one may elevate himself to the higher planets, but during the dissolution of the material world, the deity and his abode will be destroyed. But one who worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead is promoted to the Vaikuntha planet, where there is no time, destruction or annihilation. The conclusion is that time cannot act upon devotees who have accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as everything.
Source: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (2012 edition), “Teachings of Lord Caitanya, The Golden Avatara”, Page 74
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (2007 edition), “Teachings of Lord Kapila, The Son of Devahuti”, Page 229
