The Throne of God
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 by Sidarta WijayaPadmasana, the seat of God is an obligatory shrine that must be established in every Balinese Hinduism temple. No temple is considered to be complete without this shrine. The word Padmasana is derived fro the word “padma” means “lotus” and “sana” means “seat”, Balinese believed that God sits on a lotus flower. It is a roofless shrine with an empty throne on its top, the throne of God.
The padmasana presents the form of Balinese macrocosmos. It is divided into three sections – the familiar Tri Loka: Bhur (the world of demon), Bwah (the world of human), Swah (the world of gods). At the base of padmasana, in Bhur Loka is Bedawang Nala (the turtle of universe) which support the world on its back. It is being held by two snakes, Anantaboga and Basuki. It is sometimes said that the snakes are holding the turle so as to keep it from causing catastrophic earthquake by moving too violently.





