Bhakti List Archives

Re: [sv-rituals] Postures to be maintained

From the Bhakti List Archives

Mohan Sagar • Tue Jul 23 2002 - 21:50:12 PDT 


Dear Sri Chaithanya,

In response to your questions:

Chaithanya Balasubramaniam wrote:

>
>
>
> -while one receives teertham (holy water) it is a practice that one
> folds the fore finger. What is the significane of it and is this the
> correct way???

The standard practice is to place the thumb to the right of the middle
finger, and have the index finger cross over the thumb.    The remaining
three fingers should then be brought up slightly in order to form a
cup-like fold in the palm.  All of this is done to prevent us from
dishonoring the teertham by inadvertently spilling it onto the ground.

Also, it should be noted that the teertham should not be sipped directly
from the palm; instead, the mouth should be placed just at  the joint of
the hand with the wrist such that the teertham can be poured in.

>
> -while one does a saashtaanga namaskaram (prostrating in front of God)
> it is customary for some people to cross their legs and otherwise.
> What is the correct way? Also, a friend of mine happened to tell that
> prostration should be avoided. I am not sure about its validity and it
> has been a practice of everyone to prostrate in front of the God.
> Please let me know if there is any thing wrong.

I am not sure on this, but I do not believe that the legs should be
crossed during prostration; both legs and feet should be stretched out
completely.

The only place that prostration should not be performed is inside a
temple, because this would risk having the outstretched feet pointing
towards another sannidhi or other devotees.  Instead, the prostration
should be performed to the dvaja stambham upon entering the outer
courtyard of the temple.

I hope this helps.

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan
Mohan



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