-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Altars?
- Thread starter xkatz
- Start date
I am curious, do you read scripture or just pray at the altar? How long do you spend praying at the altar? I am currently interested in this stuff myself
I don't have any specific routine worship. I go in when I want to get a book, I pay obeisance, sometimes for meditation or just whatever I feel like. I do sometimes go in to pray.
My dad uses the room a lot for meditation.
Andal
resident hypnotist
I am curious, do you read scripture or just pray at the altar? How long do you spend praying at the altar? I am currently interested in this stuff myself
I'm the same as Madhuri. Sometimes I read, other times meditate, sing bhajans, pray, or offer puja. Depends on a lot of factors. The alter though is an important part of my life even if I can't give as much time as I would like.
Your interests have brought you to the right place
Aum Hari Aum!
Your body and mind is your most important temple. A public place is not necessary to your devotion. But many people find it helpful.
Andal
resident hypnotist
For many Hindus the home shrine serves as the focal point for daily worship. We go to the mandir on festival days and when we can. There is not a necessary number of days to attend or anything like that. You should go when you can because the deities are always present in the temple and are maintained properly so receiving darshan (seeing and being seen by God) is possible and a powerful experience.
You can have the altar and when you can go to the temple but it's not required you go all the time. Although it's nice to be in a community.
Aum Hari Aum!
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
My Altar
This altar in my home is a Temple do to I installed the Murtis with life. The Puja to be done on this type of Alter is called Samasti (Universal) Upasana (sit near) This altar is a universal worship of the whole cosmos. In the middle of the Altar is a Yantra that is seen as a map of reality.
This altar in my home is a Temple do to I installed the Murtis with life. The Puja to be done on this type of Alter is called Samasti (Universal) Upasana (sit near) This altar is a universal worship of the whole cosmos. In the middle of the Altar is a Yantra that is seen as a map of reality.
Last edited:
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
When I am home I do worship 3xs a day one being a Puja. Some times my son does a small one if I can't. When we travel I have to do Visarjana (remove the divine energy) and when come home I do prana pratistha (establishment of life) to set up the temple again. The dressed up coconut in the pic is from the establishment.
When the Alter is established at least one puja a day must be done.
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
One more angle.
Out side of the Alter I have many large Murtis and books. But enough pictures
Last edited:
Andal
resident hypnotist
On more angle.Out side of the Alter I have many large Murtis and books.
Jai Jagganath!
PS: I have that same statue of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Gaura Priya
IRL
In accordance with SCS Math, my param-param guru Srila Sridhar Maharaj never liked his disciples to have too many pictures of the Lord; if deities and pictures of God are non-different from God Himself, then having too many images throughout the home can create a lack of proper reverence to the Lord. (Jagannath umbrellas are just really poor taste and horrid treatment of Jagannath's Blessed Countenance.)
You can say we are almost semi-iconophobic or aniconic, lol. Even the concept of darshana is minimalised (how can we even have the eyes to see Radha-Krishna, if we can not even conceptualise Them with pure, unalloyed devotion to Them? And we can never even approach Radha-Krishna without Mahaprabhu!).
Thus, the less amount of icons, the better, and all icons should only be on the altar, nowhere else. Different from ISKCON or SGVS or any other Gaudiya organisation, SCS Math homes are decorated simply with 'shanta rasa' pictures (pictures like temples, OM, Mayapur, etc. things that are not directly God but indirectly remind one of Krishna and Sriman Mahaprabhu); only altars may be embellished, especially if one has Deities. The simplest altar would only have one's guru.
My favourite portrait of Mahaprabhu and his associates, from ISKCON. It has a renaissance, 'Christian' feel to the painting, lol. And the one next to it are the main Deities in the main Math temple in Nabadwip, Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharva-Govindasundarjiu.
My friend is letting me have his Jagannath Deities by this Sunday because he feels that he has too many Deities on his altar, so I am very excited to receive Them! Although my heart is with Gaur-Nitai, I hope to take care of Them nicely. It will help me memorise the mantras besides 'pushpe pushpe mahapushpe..." LOL.
Last edited by a moderator:
Andal
resident hypnotist
In accordance with SCS Math, my param-param guru Srila Sridhar Maharaj never liked his disciples to have too many pictures of the Lord; if deities and pictures of God are non-different from God Himself, then having too many images throughout the home can create a lack of proper reverence to the Lord. (Jagannath umbrellas are just really poor taste and horrid treatment of Jagannath's Blessed Countenance.)
You can say we are almost semi-iconophobic or aniconic, lol. Even the concept of darshana is minimalised (how can we even have the eyes to see Radha-Krishna, if we can not even conceptualise Them with pure, unalloyed devotion to Them? And we can never even approach Radha-Krishna without Mahaprabhu!).
Thus, the less amount of icons, the better, and all icons should only be on the altar, nowhere else. Different from ISKCON or SGVS or any other Gaudiya organisation, SCS Math homes are decorated simply with 'shanta rasa' pictures (pictures like temples, OM, Mayapur, etc. things that are not directly God but indirectly remind one of Krishna and Sriman Mahaprabhu); only altars may be embellished, especially if one has Deities. The simplest altar would only have one's guru.
My favourite portrait of Mahaprabhu and his associates, from ISKCON. It has a renaissance, 'Christian' feel to the painting, lol. And the one next to it are the main Deities in the main Math temple in Nabadwip, Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharva-Govindasundarjiu.
My friend is letting me have his Jagannath Deities by this Sunday because he feels that he has too many Deities on his altar, so I am very excited to receive Them! Although my heart is with Gaur-Nitai, I hope to take care of Them nicely. It will help me memorise the mantras besides 'pushpe pushpe mahapushpe..." LOL.
This is really interesting. I didn't know that about SCS Math. I agree Jagannath umbrella are in terrible taste (people have those?) I wouldn't be surprised. His image has become almost like a trademark for Iskcon which always seemed really strange to me.
I tend to be of the school of thought that unless the deity has been infused with life then the Divine isn't actively present accept when invited during times of worship but I think I'm also with you about keeping images around the house for decoration. It seems odd.
I'm curious, you mentioned darshan as being problematic. You only mention the one side of it though. Traditionally it isn't just seeing God but being seen by God, does SCS Math have a different understanding?
Thanks, I'm not familiar with SCS Math so this is so fascinating to hear a different perspective
. Good luck with Lord Jagannath, I'm sure you'll give him a great home!.
Aum Hari Aum!
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
In accordance with SCS Math, my param-param guru Srila Sridhar Maharaj never liked his disciples to have too many pictures of the Lord; if deities and pictures of God are non-different from God Himself, then having too many images throughout the home can create a lack of proper reverence to the Lord. (Jagannath umbrellas are just really poor taste and horrid treatment of Jagannath's Blessed Countenance.)
You can say we are almost semi-iconophobic or aniconic, lol. Even the concept of darshana is minimalised (how can we even have the eyes to see Radha-Krishna, if we can not even conceptualise Them with pure, unalloyed devotion to Them? And we can never even approach Radha-Krishna without Mahaprabhu!).
Thus, the less amount of icons, the better, and all icons should only be on the altar, nowhere else. Different from ISKCON or SGVS or any other Gaudiya organisation, SCS Math homes are decorated simply with 'shanta rasa' pictures (pictures like temples, OM, Mayapur, etc. things that are not directly God but indirectly remind one of Krishna and Sriman Mahaprabhu); only altars may be embellished, especially if one has Deities. The simplest altar would only have one's guru.
My favourite portrait of Mahaprabhu and his associates, from ISKCON. It has a renaissance, 'Christian' feel to the painting, lol. And the one next to it are the main Deities in the main Math temple in Nabadwip, Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga-Gandharva-Govindasundarjiu.
My friend is letting me have his Jagannath Deities by this Sunday because he feels that he has too many Deities on his altar, so I am very excited to receive Them! Although my heart is with Gaur-Nitai, I hope to take care of Them nicely. It will help me memorise the mantras besides 'pushpe pushpe mahapushpe..." LOL.
It is nice to see your pictures. I love your Deities.
Wannabe Yogi
Well-Known Member
I love that picture of Jagganath. I guess I am old fashion. I prefer those types of Images due to the fact they are easier to keep in my mind. I got that from out side Jagganath Temple years ago. The laws about getting into the temples are changing. Next time I hope to get inside. It seems the only temples I can't get into are in Orissa. A few miles away there is a very cool Hara-Hari temple I would love to go in side. My wife could get in due to the fact she has dark skin and has a nose ring. The priests always think she is Kashmiri.
Last edited:
Andal
resident hypnotist
Yea I don't really know what it is about Orissa and their temple rules. Jagannath's temple has been like that for centuries. It is a shame, they have no problem taking our american dollars in donations for upkeep but we're not good enough for darshan
Varanasi has on temple like that but when I went they let me in after a asking some questions so idk. It seems like priests get to make the rules. There is some westerner who's lived in Puri for years who is building a Jagannath mandir for everyone. I understand historically the reasons behind it but I would hope that devotees from all nations will one day be welcome.
Aum Hari Aum!
Gaura Priya
IRL
This is really interesting. I didn't know that about SCS Math. I agree Jagannath umbrella are in terrible taste (people have those?) I wouldn't be surprised. His image has become almost like a trademark for Iskcon which always seemed really strange to me.
I tend to be of the school of thought that unless the deity has been infused with life then the Divine isn't actively present accept when invited during times of worship but I think I'm also with you about keeping images around the house for decoration. It seems odd.
I'm curious, you mentioned darshan as being problematic. You only mention the one side of it though. Traditionally it isn't just seeing God but being seen by God, does SCS Math have a different understanding?
Thanks, I'm not familiar with SCS Math so this is so fascinating to hear a different perspective
Good luck with Lord Jagannath, I'm sure you'll give him a great home!.
Aum Hari Aum!
Ugh... you go to Ratha Yatra in the West, and you will see Jagannath Swami's countenance in umbrella form, shielding people from rain and whatnot... seriously, do we treat the Deities and the pictures of the Lord as mere pictures and statues, or non-different from the Lord Himself? It irks me...
In SCS Math, the emphasis is that darshana is for God to see us, and the attitude is more like "Do you really have the eyes [i.e. the proper conception] to see [conceptualise with pure devotion] Radha-Krishna?" So darshana is not an emphasised practice. How can we 'see' God when we can not even properly 'conceptualise' Him with our own limitations? Deity worship is still part of our practices, but we are not as pushed to go on darshana as much as learning to mentally encompass the conception of Lord Krishna as the Sweet Absolute, or the Absolute Beauty, as well as developing a service attitude, and service mood.
Of course, the biggest purpose of this is to instil some reverence and awe when approaching temples and seeing the Lord's Deity forms, as well as the formula of Humility, Tolerance and Giving Honour to all living beings (trinad api sunichena...).
Wannabe Yogi said:
Well, as soon as I receive my Jagannath Deities and have my altar set up properly for Their Lordships, I shall definitely post a picture for everyone to see! I am excited to make jewellery and clothes for Them...
I certainly also hope that the rules and regulations for the Jagannath temple will change... I even thought of somehow passing myself off as Manipuri in order to get inside the temple whenever I go to India in the future, lol...
Andal
resident hypnotist
Ugh... you go to Ratha Yatra in the West, and you will see Jagannath Swami's countenance in umbrella form, shielding people from rain and whatnot... seriously, do we treat the Deities and the pictures of the Lord as mere pictures and statues, or non-different from the Lord Himself? It irks me...
In SCS Math, the emphasis is that darshana is for God to see us, and the attitude is more like "Do you really have the eyes [i.e. the proper conception] to see [conceptualise with pure devotion] Radha-Krishna?" So darshana is not an emphasised practice. How can we 'see' God when we can not even properly 'conceptualise' Him with our own limitations? Deity worship is still part of our practices, but we are not as pushed to go on darshana as much as learning to mentally encompass the conception of Lord Krishna as the Sweet Absolute, or the Absolute Beauty, as well as developing a service attitude, and service mood.
Of course, the biggest purpose of this is to instil some reverence and awe when approaching temples and seeing the Lord's Deity forms, as well as the formula of Humility, Tolerance and Giving Honour to all living beings (trinad api sunichena...).
Well, as soon as I receive my Jagannath Deities and have my altar set up properly for Their Lordships, I shall definitely post a picture for everyone to see! I am excited to make jewellery and clothes for Them...
I certainly also hope that the rules and regulations for the Jagannath temple will change... I even thought of somehow passing myself off as Manipuri in order to get inside the temple whenever I go to India in the future, lol...
Thanks for the explanation
I can't wait to see the photos of your deities!
Sadly, they will probably check your passport.
When I went to Kashi Vishvanath Mandir they checked everyone's id and I had to sign in with contact details. I hope the rules change soon. They have to realize how much Sanatana Dharma has spread to non Indians. Aum Hari Aum!