You are likely to find that your japa and kirtana are espe¬cially effective when done before an altar.

Setting up an altar at home means receiving the Lord and His pure devotees as your most honored guests. Where should you set up the altar? Well, how would you seat a guest? An ideal place would be clean, well lit, and free from drafts and household disturbances. Your guest, of course, would need a comfortable chair, but for the picture of Krishna’s form, a wall shelf, a mantelpiece, a corner table, or the top shelf of a book¬case will do.

What do you need for an altar? Here are the essentials:

1. A picture of Srila Prabhupada.

2. A picture of Lord Chaitanya and His associates.

3. A picture of Sri Sri Radha-Krishna.

In addition, you may want an altar cloth, water cups (one for each picture), candles with holders, a special plate for of¬fering food, a small bell, incense, an incense holder, and fresh flowers, which you may offer in vases or simply place before each picture. If you’re interested in more elaborate Deity wor¬ship, consult the devotees at the ISKCON temple.

You can arrange the pictures in a triangle, with the picture of Srila Prabhupada on the left, the picture of Lord Chaitanya and His associates on the right, and the picture of Radha and Krishna, which, if possible, should be slightly larger than the others, on a small raised platform behind and in the center. Or you can hang the picture of Radha and Krishna on the wall above.

Carefully clean the altar each morning. Cleanliness is es¬sential in Deity worship. Remember, you wouldn’t neglect to clean the room of an important guest, and when you establish an altar you invite Krishna and His pure devotees to reside as the most exalted guests in your home. If you have water cups, rinse them out and fill them with fresh water daily. Then place them conveniently close to the pictures. You should re¬move flowers in vases as soon as they’re slightly wilted, or daily if you’ve offered them at the base of the pictures. You should offer fresh incense at least once a day, and, if possible, light candles and place them near the pictures when you’re chanting before the altar.

Please try the things we’ve suggested so far. It’s very simple, really: if you try to love God, you’ll gradually realize how much He loves you. That’s the essence of bhakti-yoga.