Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 34
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
गुडपायससर्पींषि शष्कुल्यापूपमोदकान् । संयावदधिसूपांश्च नैवेद्यं सति कल्पयेत् ॥ ३४ ॥
guḍa-pāyasa-sarpīṁṣi śaṣkuly-āpūpa-modakān saṁyāva-dadhi-sūpāṁś ca naivedyaṁ sati kalpayet
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.
One can acquire detailed information of proper and improper foods to offer in Deity worship by consulting Śrī Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, eighth vilāsa, verses 152-164.
FAQs
In Bhagavatam 11.27.34, Śukadeva describes that when one has the means, one should prepare and offer various wholesome and sweet preparations—such as sweet rice, ghee-based items, cakes, modakas, yogurt, and soups—as naivedya in deity worship.
This chapter teaches arcana (deity worship) in a practical way; listing common traditional offerings helps devotees understand what may be prepared and offered with devotion, according to availability.
Offer what you can reasonably prepare—simple or elaborate—cleanly and respectfully, with prayerful devotion; the principle is sincere offering according to one’s means, not display.