Adhyaya 27

Verse 1

श्रीउद्धव उवाच क्रियायोगं समाचक्ष्व भवदाराधनं प्रभो । यस्मात्त्वां ये यथार्चन्ति सात्वता: सात्वतर्षभ ॥ १ ॥

Śrī Uddhava said: My dear Lord, O master of the devotees, please explain to me the prescribed method of worshiping You in Your Deity form. What are the qualifications of those devotees who worship the Deity, on what basis is such worship established, and what is the specific method of worship?

Verse 2

एतद् वदन्ति मुनयो मुहुर्नि:श्रेयसं नृणाम् । नारदो भगवान् व्यास आचार्योऽङ्गिरस: सुत: ॥ २ ॥

All the great sages repeatedly declare that such worship brings the greatest benefit possible in human life. This is the opinion of Nārada Muni, the great Vyāsadeva and my own spiritual master, Bṛhaspati.

Verse 3

नि:सृतं ते मुखाम्भोजाद् यदाह भगवानज: । पुत्रेभ्यो भृगुमुख्येभ्यो देव्यै च भगवान् भव: ॥ ३ ॥ एतद् वै सर्ववर्णानामाश्रमाणां च सम्मतम् । श्रेयसामुत्तमं मन्ये स्‍त्रीशूद्राणां च मानद ॥ ४ ॥

O most magnanimous Lord, the instructions on this process of Deity worship first emanated from Your lotus mouth. Then they were spoken by the great Lord Brahmā to his sons, headed by Bhṛgu, and by Lord Śiva to his wife, Pārvatī. This process is accepted by and appropriate for all the occupational and spiritual orders of society. Therefore I consider worship of You in Your Deity form to be the most beneficial of all spiritual practices, even for women and śūdras.

Verse 4

नि:सृतं ते मुखाम्भोजाद् यदाह भगवानज: । पुत्रेभ्यो भृगुमुख्येभ्यो देव्यै च भगवान् भव: ॥ ३ ॥ एतद् वै सर्ववर्णानामाश्रमाणां च सम्मतम् । श्रेयसामुत्तमं मन्ये स्‍त्रीशूद्राणां च मानद ॥ ४ ॥

O most magnanimous Lord, the instructions on this process of Deity worship first emanated from Your lotus mouth. Then they were spoken by the great Lord Brahmā to his sons, headed by Bhṛgu, and by Lord Śiva to his wife, Pārvatī. This process is accepted by and appropriate for all the occupational and spiritual orders of society. Therefore I consider worship of You in Your Deity form to be the most beneficial of all spiritual practices, even for women and śūdras.

Verse 5

एतत् कमलपत्राक्ष कर्मबन्धविमोचनम् । भक्ताय चानुरक्ताय ब्रूहि विश्वेश्वरेश्वर ॥ ५ ॥

O lotus-eyed one, O Supreme Lord of all lords of the universe, please explain to Your devoted servant this means of liberation from the bondage of work.

Verse 6

श्रीभगवानुवाच न ह्यन्तोऽनन्तपारस्य कर्मकाण्डस्य चोद्धव । सङ्‌क्षिप्तं वर्णयिष्यामि यथावदनुपूर्वश: ॥ ६ ॥

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, there is no end to the innumerable Vedic prescriptions for executing Deity worship; so I shall explain this topic to you briefly, one step at a time.

Verse 7

वैदिकस्तान्त्रिको मिश्र इति मे त्रिविधो मख: । त्रयाणामीप्सितेनैव विधिना मां समर्चरेत् ॥ ७ ॥

One should carefully worship Me by selecting one of the three methods by which I receive sacrifice: Vedic, tantric or mixed.

Verse 8

यदा स्वनिगमेनोक्तं द्विजत्वं प्राप्य पूरुष: । यथा यजेत मां भक्त्या श्रद्धया तन्निबोध मे ॥ ८ ॥

Now please listen faithfully as I explain exactly how a person who has achieved twice-born status through the relevant Vedic prescriptions should worship Me with devotion.

Verse 9

अर्चायां स्थण्डिलेऽग्नौ वा सूर्ये वाप्सु हृदि द्विज: । द्रव्येण भक्तियुक्तोऽर्चेत् स्वगुरुं माममायया ॥ ९ ॥

A twice-born person should worship Me, his worshipable Lord, without duplicity, offering appropriate paraphernalia in loving devotion to My Deity form or to a form of Me appearing upon the ground, in fire, in the sun, in water or within the worshiper’s own heart.

Verse 10

पूर्वं स्‍नानं प्रकुर्वीत धौतदन्तोऽङ्गशुद्धये । उभयैरपि च स्‍नानं मन्त्रैर्मृद्ग्रहणादिना ॥ १० ॥

One should first purify his body by cleansing his teeth and bathing. Then one should perform a second cleansing by smearing the body with earth and chanting both Vedic and tantric mantras.

Verse 11

सन्ध्योपास्त्यादिकर्माणि वेदेनाचोदितानि मे । पूजां तै: कल्पयेत् सम्यक् सङ्कल्प: कर्मपावनीम् ॥ ११ ॥

Fixing the mind on Me, one should worship Me by his various prescribed duties, such as chanting the Gāyatrī mantra at the three junctures of the day. Such performances are enjoined by the Vedas and purify the worshiper of reactions to fruitive activities.

Verse 12

शैली दारुमयी लौही लेप्या लेख्या च सैकती । मनोमयी मणिमयी प्रतिमाष्टविधा स्मृता ॥ १२ ॥

The Deity form of the Lord is said to appear in eight varieties — stone, wood, metal, earth, paint, sand, the mind or jewels.

Verse 13

चलाचलेति द्विविधा प्रतिष्ठा जीवमन्दिरम् । उद्वासावाहने न स्त: स्थिरायामुद्धवार्चने ॥ १३ ॥

The Deity form of the Lord, who is the shelter of all living entities, can be established in two ways: temporarily or permanently. But a permanent Deity, having been called, can never be sent away, My dear Uddhava.

Verse 14

अस्थिरायां विकल्प: स्यात् स्थण्डिले तु भवेद् द्वयम् । स्‍नपनं त्वविलेप्यायामन्यत्र परिमार्जनम् ॥ १४ ॥

The Deity that is temporarily established can optionally be called forth and sent away, but these two rituals should always be performed when the Deity is traced upon the ground. Bathing should be done with water except if the Deity is made of clay, paint or wood, in which cases a thorough cleansing without water is enjoined.

Verse 15

द्रव्यै: प्रसिद्धैर्मद्याग: प्रतिमादिष्वमायिन: । भक्तस्य च यथालब्धैर्हृदि भावेन चैव हि ॥ १५ ॥

One should worship Me in My Deity forms by offering the most excellent paraphernalia. But a devotee completely freed from material desire may worship Me with whatever he is able to obtain, and may even worship Me within his heart with mental paraphernalia.

Verse 16

स्‍नानालङ्करणं प्रेष्ठमर्चायामेव तूद्धव । स्थण्डिले तत्त्वविन्यासो वह्नावाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ १६ ॥ सूर्ये चाभ्यर्हणं प्रेष्ठं सलिले सलिलादिभि: । श्रद्धयोपाहृतं प्रेष्ठं भक्तेन मम वार्यपि ॥ १७ ॥

In worshiping the temple Deity, my dear Uddhava, bathing and decoration are the most pleasing offerings. For the Deity traced on sacred ground, the process of tattva-vinyāsa is most dear. Oblations of sesame and barley soaked in ghee are the preferred offering to the sacrificial fire, whereas worship consisting of upasthāna and arghya is preferred for the sun. One should worship Me in the form of water by offering water itself. Actually, whatever is offered to Me with faith by My devotee — even if only a little water — is most dear to Me.

Verse 17

स्‍नानालङ्करणं प्रेष्ठमर्चायामेव तूद्धव । स्थण्डिले तत्त्वविन्यासो वह्नावाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ १६ ॥ सूर्ये चाभ्यर्हणं प्रेष्ठं सलिले सलिलादिभि: । श्रद्धयोपाहृतं प्रेष्ठं भक्तेन मम वार्यपि ॥ १७ ॥

In worshiping the temple Deity, my dear Uddhava, bathing and decoration are the most pleasing offerings. For the Deity traced on sacred ground, the process of tattva-vinyāsa is most dear. Oblations of sesame and barley soaked in ghee are the preferred offering to the sacrificial fire, whereas worship consisting of upasthāna and arghya is preferred for the sun. One should worship Me in the form of water by offering water itself. Actually, whatever is offered to Me with faith by My devotee — even if only a little water — is most dear to Me.

Verse 18

भूर्यप्यभक्तोपाहृतं न मे तोषाय कल्पते । गन्धो धूप: सुमनसो दीपोऽन्नाद्यं च किं पुन: ॥ १८ ॥

Even very opulent presentations do not satisfy Me if they are offered by nondevotees. But I am pleased by any insignificant offering made by My loving devotees, and I am certainly most pleased when nice presentations of fragrant oil, incense, flowers and palatable foods are offered with love.

Verse 19

शुचि: सम्भृतसम्भार: प्राग्दर्भै: कल्पितासन: । आसीन: प्रागुदग् वार्चेदर्चायां त्वथ सम्मुख: ॥ १९ ॥

After cleansing himself and collecting all the paraphernalia, the worshiper should arrange his own seat with blades of kuśa grass whose tips point eastward. He should then sit facing either east or north, or else, if the Deity is fixed in one place, he should sit directly facing the Deity.

Verse 20

कृतन्यास: कृतन्यासां मदर्चां पाणिना मृजेत् । कलशं प्रोक्षणीयं च यथावदुपसाधयेत् ॥ २० ॥

The devotee should sanctify the various parts of his body by touching them and chanting mantras. He should do the same for My Deity form, and then with his hands he should clean the Deity of old flowers and the remnants of previous offerings. He should properly prepare the sacred pot and the vessel containing water for sprinkling.

Verse 21

तदद्भ‍िर्देवयजनं द्रव्याण्यात्मानमेव च । प्रोक्ष्य पात्राणि त्रीण्यद्भ‍िस्तैस्तैर्द्रव्यैश्च साधयेत् ॥ २१ ॥

Then, with the water of that prokṣaṇīya vessel he should sprinkle the area where the Deity is being worshiped, the offerings that are going to be presented, and his own body. Next he should decorate with various auspicious substances three vessels filled with water.

Verse 22

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयार्थं त्रीणि पात्राणि देशिक: । हृदा शीर्ष्णाथ शिखया गायत्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत् ॥ २२ ॥

The worshiper should then purify those three vessels. He should sanctify the vessel holding water for washing the Lord’s feet by chanting hṛdayāya namaḥ, the vessel containing water for arghya by chanting śirase svāhā, and the vessel containing water for washing the Lord’s mouth by chanting śikhāyai vaṣaṭ. Also, the Gāyatrī mantra should be chanted for all three vessels.

Verse 23

पिण्डे वाय्वग्निसंशुद्धे हृत्पद्मस्थां परां मम । अण्वीं जीवकलां ध्यायेन्नादान्ते सिद्धभाविताम् ॥ २३ ॥

The worshiper should meditate upon My subtle form — which is situated within the worshiper’s own body, now purified by air and fire — as the source of all living entities. This form of the Lord is experienced by self-realized sages in the last part of the vibration of the sacred syllable om.

Verse 24

तयात्मभूतया पिण्डे व्याप्ते सम्पूज्य तन्मय: । आवाह्यार्चादिषु स्थाप्य न्यस्ताङ्गं मां प्रपूजयेत् ॥ २४ ॥

The devotee conceives of the Supersoul, whose presence surcharges the devotee’s body, in the form corresponding to his realization. Thus the devotee worships the Lord to his full capacity and becomes fully absorbed in Him. By touching the various limbs of the Deity and chanting appropriate mantras, the devotee should invite the Supersoul to join the Deity’s form, and then the devotee should worship Me.

Verse 25

पाद्योपस्पर्शार्हणादीनुपचारान् प्रकल्पयेत् । धर्मादिभिश्च नवभि: कल्पयित्वासनं मम ॥ २५ ॥ पद्ममष्टदलं तत्र कर्णिकाकेसरोज्ज्वलम् । उभाभ्यां वेदतन्त्राभ्यां मह्यं तूभयसिद्धये ॥ २६ ॥

The worshiper should first imagine My seat as decorated with the personified deities of religion, knowledge, renunciation and opulence and with My nine spiritual energies. He should think of the Lord’s sitting place as an eight-petaled lotus, effulgent on account of the saffron filaments within its whorl. Then, following the regulations of both the Vedas and the tantras, he should offer Me water for washing the feet, water for washing the mouth, arghya and other items of worship. By this process he achieves both material enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 26

पाद्योपस्पर्शार्हणादीनुपचारान् प्रकल्पयेत् । धर्मादिभिश्च नवभि: कल्पयित्वासनं मम ॥ २५ ॥ पद्ममष्टदलं तत्र कर्णिकाकेसरोज्ज्वलम् । उभाभ्यां वेदतन्त्राभ्यां मह्यं तूभयसिद्धये ॥ २६ ॥

The worshiper should first imagine My seat as decorated with the personified deities of religion, knowledge, renunciation and opulence and with My nine spiritual energies. He should think of the Lord’s sitting place as an eight-petaled lotus, effulgent on account of the saffron filaments within its whorl. Then, following the regulations of both the Vedas and the tantras, he should offer Me water for washing the feet, water for washing the mouth, arghya and other items of worship. By this process he achieves both material enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 27

सुदर्शनं पाञ्चजन्यं गदासीषुधनुर्हलान् । मुषलं कौस्तुभं मालां श्रीवत्सं चानुपूजयेत् ॥ २७ ॥

One should worship, in order, the Lord’s Sudarśana disc, His Pāñcajanya conchshell, His club, sword, bow, arrows and plow, His muṣala weapon, His Kaustubha gem, His flower garland and the Śrīvatsa curl of hair on His chest.

Verse 28

नन्दं सुनन्दं गरुडं प्रचण्डं चण्डमेव च । महाबलं बलं चैव कुमुदं कमुदेक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

One should worship the Lord’s associates Nanda and Sunanda, Garuḍa, Pracaṇḍa and Caṇḍa, Mahābala and Bala, and Kumuda and Kumudekṣaṇa.

Verse 29

दुर्गां विनायकं व्यासं विष्वक्सेनं गुरून्सुरान् । स्वे स्वे स्थाने त्वभिमुखान् पूजयेत् प्रोक्षणादिभि: ॥ २९ ॥

With offerings such as prokṣaṇa one should worship Durgā, Vināyaka, Vyāsa, Viṣvaksena, the spiritual masters and the various demigods. All these personalities should be in their proper places facing the Deity of the Lord.

Verse 30

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरकुङ्कुमागुरुवासितै: । सलिलै: स्‍नापयेन्मन्त्रैर्नित्यदा विभवे सति ॥ ३० ॥ स्वर्णघर्मानुवाकेन महापुरुषविद्यया । पौरुषेणापि सूक्तेन सामभी राजनादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

The worshiper should bathe the Deity every day, as opulently as his assets permit, using waters scented with sandalwood, uśīra root, camphor, kuṅkuma and aguru. He should also chant various Vedic hymns, such as the anuvāka known as Svarṇa-gharma, the Mahāpuruṣa-vidyā, the Puruṣa-sūkta and various songs of the Sāma Veda, such as the Rājana and the Rohiṇya.

Verse 31

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरकुङ्कुमागुरुवासितै: । सलिलै: स्‍नापयेन्मन्त्रैर्नित्यदा विभवे सति ॥ ३० ॥ स्वर्णघर्मानुवाकेन महापुरुषविद्यया । पौरुषेणापि सूक्तेन सामभी राजनादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

The worshiper should bathe the Deity every day, as opulently as his assets permit, using waters scented with sandalwood, uśīra root, camphor, kuṅkuma and aguru. He should also chant various Vedic hymns, such as the anuvāka known as Svarṇa-gharma, the Mahāpuruṣa-vidyā, the Puruṣa-sūkta and various songs of the Sāma Veda, such as the Rājana and the Rohiṇya.

Verse 32

वस्त्र‍ोपवीताभरणपत्रस्रग्गन्धलेपनै: । अलङ्कुर्वीत सप्रेम मद्भ‍क्तो मां यथोचितम् ॥ ३२ ॥

My devotee should then lovingly decorate Me with clothing, a brāhmaṇa thread, various ornaments, marks of tilaka and garlands, and he should anoint My body with fragrant oils, all in the prescribed manner.

Verse 33

पाद्यमाचमनीयं च गन्धं सुमनसोऽक्षतान् । धूपदीपोपहार्याणि दद्यान्मे श्रद्धयार्चक: ॥ ३३ ॥

The worshiper should faithfully present Me with water for washing My feet and mouth, fragrant oils, flowers and unbroken grains, along with incense, lamps and other offerings.

Verse 34

गुडपायससर्पींषि शष्कुल्यापूपमोदकान् । संयावदधिसूपांश्च नैवेद्यं सति कल्पयेत् ॥ ३४ ॥

Within his means, the devotee should arrange to offer Me sugar candy, sweet rice, ghee, śaṣkulī [rice-flour cakes], āpūpa [various sweet cakes], modaka [steamed rice-flour dumplings filled with sweet coconut and sugar], saṁyāva [wheat cakes made with ghee and milk and covered with sugar and spices], yogurt, vegetable soups and other palatable foods.

Verse 35

अभ्यङ्गोन्मर्दनादर्शदन्तधावाभिषेचनम् । अन्नाद्यगीतनृत्यानि पर्वणि स्युरुतान्वहम् ॥ ३५ ॥

On special occasions, and daily if possible, the Deity should be massaged with ointment, shown a mirror, offered a eucalyptus stick for brushing His teeth, bathed with the five kinds of nectar, offered all kinds of opulent foods, and entertained with singing and dancing.

Verse 36

विधिना विहिते कुण्डे मेखलागर्तवेदिभि: । अग्निमाधाय परित: समूहेत् पाणिनोदितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

In an arena constructed according to scriptural injunctions, the devotee should perform a fire sacrifice, utilizing the sacred belt, the sacrificial pit and the altar mound. When igniting the sacrificial fire, the devotee should bring it to a blaze with wood piled up by his own hands.

Verse 37

परिस्तीर्याथ पर्युक्षेदन्वाधाय यथाविधि । प्रोक्षण्यासाद्य द्रव्याणि प्रोक्ष्याग्नौ भावयेत माम् ॥ ३७ ॥

After spreading kuśa grass on the ground and sprinkling it with water, one should perform the anvādhāna ritual according to the prescribed rules. Then one should arrange the items to be offered as oblations and should sanctify them with water from the sprinkling vessel. The worshiper should next meditate upon Me within the fire.

Verse 38

तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाम्बुजै: । लसच्चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मकिञ्जल्कवाससम् ॥ ३८ ॥ स्फुरत्किरीटकटककटिसूत्रवराङ्गदम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ३९ ॥ ध्यायन्नभ्यर्च्य दारूणि हविषाभिघृतानि च । प्रास्याज्यभागावाघारौ दत्त्वा चाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ ४० ॥ जुहुयान्मूलमन्त्रेण षोडशर्चावदानत: । धर्मादिभ्यो यथान्यायं मन्त्रै: स्विष्टिकृतं बुध: ॥ ४१ ॥

The intelligent devotee should meditate upon that form of the Lord whose color is like molten gold, whose four arms are resplendent with the conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower, and who is always peaceful and dressed in a garment colored like the filaments within a lotus flower. His helmet, bracelets, belt and fine arm ornaments shine brilliantly. The symbol of Śrīvatsa is on His chest, along with the glowing Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers. The devotee should then worship that Lord by taking pieces of firewood soaked in the sacrificial ghee and throwing them into the fire. He should perform the ritual of āghāra, presenting into the fire the various items of oblation drenched in ghee. He should then offer to sixteen demigods, beginning with Yamarāja, the oblation called sviṣṭi-kṛt, reciting the basic mantras of each deity and the sixteen-line Puruṣa-sūkta hymn. Pouring one oblation after each line of the Puruṣa-sūkta, he should utter the particular mantra naming each deity.

Verse 39

तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाम्बुजै: । लसच्चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मकिञ्जल्कवाससम् ॥ ३८ ॥ स्फुरत्किरीटकटककटिसूत्रवराङ्गदम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ३९ ॥ ध्यायन्नभ्यर्च्य दारूणि हविषाभिघृतानि च । प्रास्याज्यभागावाघारौ दत्त्वा चाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ ४० ॥ जुहुयान्मूलमन्त्रेण षोडशर्चावदानत: । धर्मादिभ्यो यथान्यायं मन्त्रै: स्विष्टिकृतं बुध: ॥ ४१ ॥

The intelligent devotee should meditate upon that form of the Lord whose color is like molten gold, whose four arms are resplendent with the conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower, and who is always peaceful and dressed in a garment colored like the filaments within a lotus flower. His helmet, bracelets, belt and fine arm ornaments shine brilliantly. The symbol of Śrīvatsa is on His chest, along with the glowing Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers. The devotee should then worship that Lord by taking pieces of firewood soaked in the sacrificial ghee and throwing them into the fire. He should perform the ritual of āghāra, presenting into the fire the various items of oblation drenched in ghee. He should then offer to sixteen demigods, beginning with Yamarāja, the oblation called sviṣṭi-kṛt, reciting the basic mantras of each deity and the sixteen-line Puruṣa-sūkta hymn. Pouring one oblation after each line of the Puruṣa-sūkta, he should utter the particular mantra naming each deity.

Verse 40

तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाम्बुजै: । लसच्चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मकिञ्जल्कवाससम् ॥ ३८ ॥ स्फुरत्किरीटकटककटिसूत्रवराङ्गदम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ३९ ॥ ध्यायन्नभ्यर्च्य दारूणि हविषाभिघृतानि च । प्रास्याज्यभागावाघारौ दत्त्वा चाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ ४० ॥ जुहुयान्मूलमन्त्रेण षोडशर्चावदानत: । धर्मादिभ्यो यथान्यायं मन्त्रै: स्विष्टिकृतं बुध: ॥ ४१ ॥

The intelligent devotee should meditate upon that form of the Lord whose color is like molten gold, whose four arms are resplendent with the conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower, and who is always peaceful and dressed in a garment colored like the filaments within a lotus flower. His helmet, bracelets, belt and fine arm ornaments shine brilliantly. The symbol of Śrīvatsa is on His chest, along with the glowing Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers. The devotee should then worship that Lord by taking pieces of firewood soaked in the sacrificial ghee and throwing them into the fire. He should perform the ritual of āghāra, presenting into the fire the various items of oblation drenched in ghee. He should then offer to sixteen demigods, beginning with Yamarāja, the oblation called sviṣṭi-kṛt, reciting the basic mantras of each deity and the sixteen-line Puruṣa-sūkta hymn. Pouring one oblation after each line of the Puruṣa-sūkta, he should utter the particular mantra naming each deity.

Verse 41

तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाम्बुजै: । लसच्चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मकिञ्जल्कवाससम् ॥ ३८ ॥ स्फुरत्किरीटकटककटिसूत्रवराङ्गदम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ३९ ॥ ध्यायन्नभ्यर्च्य दारूणि हविषाभिघृतानि च । प्रास्याज्यभागावाघारौ दत्त्वा चाज्यप्लुतं हवि: ॥ ४० ॥ जुहुयान्मूलमन्त्रेण षोडशर्चावदानत: । धर्मादिभ्यो यथान्यायं मन्त्रै: स्विष्टिकृतं बुध: ॥ ४१ ॥

The intelligent devotee should meditate upon that form of the Lord whose color is like molten gold, whose four arms are resplendent with the conchshell, disc, club and lotus flower, and who is always peaceful and dressed in a garment colored like the filaments within a lotus flower. His helmet, bracelets, belt and fine arm ornaments shine brilliantly. The symbol of Śrīvatsa is on His chest, along with the glowing Kaustubha gem and a garland of forest flowers. The devotee should then worship that Lord by taking pieces of firewood soaked in the sacrificial ghee and throwing them into the fire. He should perform the ritual of āghāra, presenting into the fire the various items of oblation drenched in ghee. He should then offer to sixteen demigods, beginning with Yamarāja, the oblation called sviṣṭi-kṛt, reciting the basic mantras of each deity and the sixteen-line Puruṣa-sūkta hymn. Pouring one oblation after each line of the Puruṣa-sūkta, he should utter the particular mantra naming each deity.

Verse 42

अभ्यर्च्याथ नमस्कृत्य पार्षदेभ्यो बलिं हरेत् । मूलमन्त्रं जपेद् ब्रह्म स्मरन्नारायणात्मकम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Having thus worshiped the Lord in the sacrificial fire, the devotee should offer his obeisances to the Lord’s personal associates by bowing down and should then present offerings to them. He should then chant quietly the mūla-mantra of the Deity of the Lord, remembering the Absolute Truth as the Supreme Personality, Nārāyaṇa.

Verse 43

दत्त्वाचमनमुच्छेषं विष्वक्सेनाय कल्पयेत् । मुखवासं सुरभिमत् ताम्बूलाद्यमथार्हयेत् ॥ ४३ ॥

Once again he should offer the Deity water for washing His mouth, and he should give the remnants of the Lord’s food to Viṣvaksena. Then he should present the Deity with fragrant perfume for the mouth and prepared betel nut.

Verse 44

उपगायन् गृणन् नृत्यन् कर्माण्यभिनयन् मम । मत्कथा: श्रावयन् श‍ृण्वन् मुहूर्तं क्षणिको भवेत् ॥ ४४ ॥

Singing along with others, chanting loudly and dancing, acting out My transcendental pastimes, and hearing and telling stories about Me, the devotee should for some time absorb himself in such festivity.

Verse 45

स्तवैरुच्चावचै: स्तोत्रै: पौराणै: प्राकृतैरपि । स्तुत्वा प्रसीद भगवन्निति वन्देत दण्डवत् ॥ ४५ ॥

The devotee should offer homage to the Lord with all kinds of hymns and prayers, both from the Purāṇas and from other ancient scriptures, and also from ordinary traditions. Praying, “O Lord, please be merciful to me!” he should fall down flat like a rod to offer his obeisances.

Verse 46

शिरो मत्पादयो: कृत्वा बाहुभ्यां च परस्परम् । प्रपन्नं पाहि मामीश भीतं मृत्युग्रहार्णवात् ॥ ४६ ॥

Placing his head at the feet of the Deity, he should then stand with folded hands before the Lord and pray, “O my Lord, please protect me, who am surrendered unto You. I am most fearful of this ocean of material existence, standing as I am in the mouth of death.”

Verse 47

इति शेषां मया दत्तां शिरस्याधाय सादरम् । उद्वासयेच्चेदुद्वास्यं ज्योतिर्ज्योतिषि तत् पुन: ॥ ४७ ॥

Praying in this way, the devotee should respectfully place upon his head the remnants I offer to him. And if the particular Deity is meant to be sent away at the end of the worship, then this should be performed, the devotee once again placing the light of the Deity’s presence inside the light of the lotus within his own heart.

Verse 48

अर्चादिषु यदा यत्र श्रद्धा मां तत्र चार्चयेत् । सर्वभूतेष्वात्मनि च सर्वात्माहमवस्थित: ॥ ४८ ॥

Whenever one develops faith in Me — in My form as the Deity or in other bona fide manifestations — one should worship Me in that form. I certainly exist both within all created beings and also separately in My original form, since I am the Supreme Soul of all.

Verse 49

एवं क्रियायोगपथै: पुमान् वैदिकतान्त्रिकै: । अर्चन्नुभयत: सिद्धिं मत्तो विन्दत्यभीप्सिताम् ॥ ४९ ॥

By worshiping Me through the various methods prescribed in the Vedas and tantras, one will gain from Me his desired perfection in both this life and the next.

Verse 50

मदर्चां सम्प्रतिष्ठाप्य मन्दिरं कारयेद् द‍ृढम् । पुष्पोद्यानानि रम्याणि पूजायात्रोत्सवाश्रितान् ॥ ५० ॥

The devotee should more fully establish My Deity by solidly constructing a temple, along with beautiful gardens. These gardens should be set aside to provide flowers for the regular daily worship, special Deity processions and holiday observances.

Verse 51

पूजादीनां प्रवाहार्थं महापर्वस्वथान्वहम् । क्षेत्रापणपुरग्रामान् दत्त्वा मत्सार्ष्टितामियात् ॥ ५१ ॥

One who offers the Deity gifts of land, markets, cities and villages so that the regular daily worship and special festivals of the Deity may go on continually will achieve opulence equal to My own.

Verse 52

प्रतिष्ठया सार्वभौमं सद्मना भुवनत्रयम् । पूजादिना ब्रह्मलोकं त्रिभिर्मत्साम्यतामियात् ॥ ५२ ॥

By installing the Deity of the Lord one becomes king of the entire earth, by building a temple for the Lord one becomes ruler of the three worlds, by worshiping and serving the Deity one goes to the planet of Lord Brahmā, and by performing all three of these activities one achieves a transcendental form like My own.

Verse 53

मामेव नैरपेक्ष्येण भक्तियोगेन विन्दति । भक्तियोगं स लभत एवं य: पूजयेत माम् ॥ ५३ ॥

But one who simply engages in devotional service with no consideration of fruitive results attains Me. Thus whoever worships Me according to the process I have described will ultimately attain pure devotional service unto Me.

Verse 54

य: स्वदत्तां परैर्दत्तां हरेत सुरविप्रयो: । वृत्तिं स जायते विड्भुग् वर्षाणामयुतायुतम् ॥ ५४ ॥

Anyone who steals the property of the demigods or the brāhmaṇas, whether originally given to them by himself or someone else, must live as a worm in stool for one hundred million years.

Verse 55

कर्तुश्च सारथेर्हेतोरनुमोदितुरेव च । कर्मणां भागिन: प्रेत्य भूयो भूयसि तत् फलम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Not only the performer of the theft but also anyone who assists him, instigates the crime, or simply approves of it must also share the reaction in the next life. According to their degree of participation, they each must suffer a proportionate consequence.