Procedure for offering obeisance to deity

ganeshthebest

Why do ISKCON devotees offer obeisance perpendicular to the line of vision of deity (while offering obeisance the deities are on the left side ) ie:- The obeisances are in a direction perpendicular to the usually followed Hindu method.
Are there any vedic quotes regarding this procedure?

VEDA

In this connection, the following are some of the offenses to be avoided: (a) to offer obeisances on one hand, (b) to offer obeisances with one's body covered, (c) to show one's back to the Deity, (d) to offer obeisances on the left side of the Deity, (e) to offer obeisances very near the Deity. (SB 7.5.23-24 p.)

Specific injunctions regarding the direction to face when offering pranama in varying circumstances are minimal. The general rule is to point your head in the direction of the person you are respecting. In the temple, where it is understood that Garuda stands opposite the Deity, sastra enjoins offering pranama with your left side facing the Deity so that your feet are not in the direction of Garuda (or, in the case of many ISKCON temples, Srila Prabhupada). While offering obeisances, first recite your own spiritual master's pranama-mantra, then Srila Prabhupada's (if it is different), and then the pranama mantras for the Deities present on the altar. (Pancaratra pradipa 2.2 [3])

ganeshthebest

Thanks very much prabhuji for the reply. But now i've some more queries in relation to your response:-

Can you further elaborate on points
b) - to offer obeisances with one's body covered - (Cant we offer obeisances when we're wearing our shirts/banians). Maybe this is the reason for not allowing males inside the temple with shirts, banians in kerala. But iskcon temples do not have this restriction.

d)to offer obeisances on the left side of the Deity - I'm unable to visualise this. However as per response in second paragraph you have specified that "sastra enjoins offering pranama with your left side facing the Deity so that your feet are not in the direction of Garuda (or, in the case of many ISKCON temples, Srila Prabhupada). "

what are the pranam mantras for the various deities. I know only one which starts with- "nama om vishnu padaya" and ends with the hare krsna maha mantra.

VEDA

ISKCON doesn't follow some of these prescriptions since Srila Prabhupada didn't consider them essential. This one is also geography-specific, for the warm climate.

Hope this one is clear now.

Pranama mantras can be found online or one can ask the pujari or other local devotees. "Nama om vishnu padaya..." are pranamas for gurus.

ganeshthebest

Thanks for responding to two queries
But this point is still not clear - d)to offer obeisances on the left side of the Deity .

VEDA

Left side of the Deity - as seen from the altar. Right half of the temple seen from the entrance when it faces the Deity.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion