Hello! I am new to Krishna Consciousness and I am trying to learn the proper way to worship Krishna. I have noticed that some men prostrate by lying flat, and other men prostrate on their hands and knees. I know women prostrate on hands and knees, but do men do both? Also, some prostrate to the side rather than directly toward Krishna. Is there a reason for this? Is there a proper way to do bow down, or does Krishna not care? I would appreciate your guidance! 🙏🏼
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Hare Krishna,
Sharnagati or Surrender is shown in bodily way as Dandavat Pranamas.
Danda means Stick. Vat in the form. so when you lie flat on the ground facing ur head downwards like a stick ( letting the legs, knees, trunk, chest, arms, mouth, eyes and temple) to touch the ground it is called Saashtanga Dandavat pranama.
Saashtanga Dadavat means touching the 8 parts of the Body to the ground. Sa=all, ashtanga= 8 parts.
Now this is having some limitation as per gender is considered.
Woman are not allowed to do such Saashtanga Dadavats as per Shastras.
Woman can instead do Panchanga Dandavats. Why are woman not allowed Saashtanga Dandavats is they chest and the womb of woman are very sensitive to streches on ground) they carry all the vital parts necessary for giving birth to child and also feeding them. These parts are safe gaurded in Panchanga Dandavat pranamas.
Prostration rules and regulations are told in the Books which Bharat Prabhu mentioned. You can go thru them.
Panchanga Dandavats means allowing only 5 parts to touch the group, * the ches, trunk, womb or not allowed to touch the ground).
Among the 9 types of Bhakti mentioned. One of them is Prostration and it shows your full surrender to Lord. It must be done humbly. And as mentioned by Bharat prabhu being careful not to show our feet to guru maharaj while we are prostrating to Lord ( vice versa).
In South Indian temples, and temples like Jagannatha Puri.. There is Dwaja Sthambham ( garuda and main pillar). One must not do prostration after crossing that limit. One must do all prostrations outside near the Dwaja Sthambam only.
Sri Chaitanaya Mahaprabhu used to just stand near to the Garuda pillar holding it with one hand and take a look at the deity and never go beyond that point.
One more point is Panchaga dandavats can be performed by all people be it male or female anyone. But Saashtanga Dandavat pranama is restricted ot only males.
Hare Krishna.
Hare Krsna
Welcome to Krsna Consciousness.
I am trying to learn the proper way to worship Krishna.
You will find this manual very helpful. Your observations are correct.
You will find the answers to your questions in Appendix-II and Part-II - Etiquette within temple.
Is there a proper way to do bow down, or does Krishna not care?
Yes, there is proper way to bow down and pay respects. The goal of our Krsna consciousness is ultimately to please Krsna. Krsna will be happy if we follow simple etiquette. Generally in most Iskcon temples, the deity of Srila Prabhupada directly faces the deity of their lordships (Radha-Krsna, Gaur Nitai, Jagannatha Baladeva Subhadra). So if we pay full ashtanga pranama / obeisances such that our head and hands point towards their lordships, then our feet will inevitably be towards Srila Prabhupada, (due to positioning of deities) , which is not appropriate. Hence it is reccomended to pay obeisances such that the deities are towards our left.
Even in traditional tempeles in India , right oppostite to the main deity of there will be deity of Garuda or Hanuman, so even there the same may be followed.
Hare Krsna
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Thank you for writing here.
The ideal way for men/ prabhujis is to prostrate by lying flat on the floor. For some health reason or in a hurry, someone may be doing the other way.
LIke you rightly mentioned, Krsna sees the devotion in the heart, the level of surrender we have internally, and not these externals. These externals are for us to learn and imbibe. THey help us to cultivate humility and surrender.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hello. Thank you for the good and sparkling answers in this thread. Without understanding the basics, it can be difficult to move forward... Thanks again