Question 1: I have very basic question related to etiquette which we follow in ISKCON. Why do we keep deities or Srila Prabhupada on our left while offering ashtang obeisance?
Answer by Romapada Swami: (compliments of Gaura Kesava Prabhu): Hari Bhakti Vilasa says: “One should not chant japa, do homa, or offer obeisance too close in front of the deity (within the deity room garbha grha), at His back or on His left side.” HBV 8.391
Remember that the Lord’s LEFT side is the RIGHT side as we face Him. So we offer obeisance from the left as we face Him or His right as He faces us.
Circumambulation of the deity or Srila Prabhupada’s vyasasana applies a slightly different principle, having to do with the word ‘pradaksina’. When we circumambulate we go clockwise (pradaksina in Sanskrit, which literally means “[from the east] towards the South/right”). One who is facing east then turning towards the South would be turning right or clockwise. Going clockwise around something or someone would make our right side the side inside closest to them. Normally in Indian culture and sastras one keeps the right side of one’s body (because the left side is considered as not auspicious or clean) towards any respected person.
Directions have different meanings in Indian culture and sastras. Since the sun rises in the east, the eastern direction is generally considered as most auspicious.
Question 2: Why do we keep curtains/doors of altar closed when Lord is taking prasadam or when we are taking prasadam in front of altar?
Answer by Romapada Swami: According to Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu (Nectar of Devotion), it is an offense to offer food that has been seen by animals or uninitiated persons.
In addition, others should not directly see the bhoga prior to its being offered to the deity because we may lustfully consider enjoying that which is meant for Krishna, even within our minds, and thus an offense is commited. Consider, for example, how Madhavendra Puri felt when he saw the sweet rice offered to Gopinath in Remuna, prior to the offering being completed; he felt that a GREAT offense had been commited, due to his simply thinking of getting an opportunity to taste the sweet rice in order to learn how to prepare a similar preparation for his deity Gopal. You will find this entire narrative in Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya Lila Chapter 4.
Thus, the training given by our Founder-acarya is that we cover the tray of not-yet-offered food preparations from the kitchen to the altar with a cloth, and we offer bhoga with the altar curtain (or door) closed to the public. Sometimes a half-curtain if utilized for this purpose, such that the deity can be seen but the un-offered food items cannot be seen until the offering is completed.
The act of our eating is not a clean activity; thus we cleanse the area fully wherever eating has taken place after eating, and we do not eat in front of the deity.
