Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

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 ones body covered, (c) to show ones 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 masters pranama-mantra, then Srila Prabhupadas (if it is different), and then the pranama mantras for the Deities present on the altar. (Pancaratra pradipa 2.2 [3])

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

Can you further elaborate on points
b) - to offer obeisances with ones body covered - (Cant we offer obeisances when were 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 - Im 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.

ISKCON doesnt follow some of these prescriptions since Srila Prabhupada didnt 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.

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

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