On altars, posters, etc.

[Guest guest]

To "Mousie":

 

There are different opinions about the placement of altars. It is

traditional for meditators to sit facing the North, or the East. Your

altar will presumably be in front of you, and any images facing you

(i.e., facing South or West).

 

Because Ganesha is ruler of the obstacle-producing Ganas, and some people

see the Ganas as coming from the South (the direction of Yama, Lord of

Death and Bad Luck), some people prefer to place Ganesha's statue with

his back towards the South, so he can "hold back" the Ganas who may cause

obstacles and delays. The Asia Society in New York City has on display a

beautiful large Ganesha statue, with mischievious little Ganas hiding

behind Ganesha.

 

It is also traditional to have a Ganesha statue (or at least a Ganesha

mask) beside your front door -- he is the protector of doorways and

entrances. Don't know how your doorway guardian dragon will take to

sharing his domain.

 

A poster of "Shiva's Family" should be easy enough to find on the Web.

Shiva and Parvati with Ganesha, and often with his little brother Skanda,

too. The vehicle creatures of each of the gods (Shiva's bull, Parvati's

lion, Ganesha's mouse, & Skanda's peacock) can make it a pretty crowded

family portrait!

 

The International Society of Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON for short

(often known as "The Hare Krishnas") see Krishna as the Supreme, the All,

but they accept the other Hindu deities as "demi-gods." They have a

catalog of books, CDs, incenses, and posters, and may have a Ganesha

poster (or Shiva Family poster) you're looking for. Try

www.vedicresource.com and see.

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

 

 

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