Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c7.49

v1.c7.49

Among the aspects of Vishnu the *yōga* form, be it standing, sitting or reclining, must be enshrined in a temple built far away from the bustle of the village, on the banks of rivers, or at the junction of two or more rivers, on hill tops and in forest recesses. The reason of the choice of such places is quite patent. The worshipper of the *yōga* image has to be a *yōgi* or one aspiring to become a *yōgi*; he would certainly desire to have a calm place for concentrating his thoughts on the object of his worship; and naturally the temple intended for the conduct of worship by him has to be away from human habitations. The *bhōga* form is the form best fitted to have the temple therefore constructed within towns and villages, as it is conceived to be the giver of all happiness to its worshippers and has therefore to be worshipped and prayed to by all sorts of men and women belonging to all conditions of life. The *vīra* form of Vishnu, a form which is conceived to be capable of giving physical power, prowess and strength to conquer enemies, may have the temple for it built either inside or outside towns and villages.