Picture, photos or sculpture of chariots should not be
placed in a Hindu home. This is a belief prevalent among certain Hindu
communities. However, it is ignored by majority of Hindus as most Hindu homes
do have the picture of Bhagavad Gita with Sri Krishna riding the chariot with
Arjuna on it. So is it just another superstition.
What is the reason for the belief? It is based on the belief
that chariot or ratha was used for war from ancient times. Anything associated
with war has negative energy. Therefore it is believed that such pictures, photos
or sculptures will create rift in the family. There will be constant fights among
family members and relatives and there will be no peace in the home.
How far the belief is true? It is not true at all. Firstly, the chariot in Hinduism is a symbol. The symbol is used in Katha Upanishad in the
Krishna Yajur Veda. The human personality is itself a ratha, which is on a
yatra from beginningless time.
Imagine yourself to be the master of a chariot; your body is the chariot; buddhi (the decision-making faculty and the seat of discrimination) is the charioteer; manas (loosely translated as mind, the deliberative faculty in man that examines the pros and cons of various options) is equivalent to the reins; the sense organs are the horses drawing the chariot; and the sense objects, the road on which the horses move. KathaUpanishad (1.3.3-9)