Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
पाद्योपस्पर्शार्हणादीनुपचारान् प्रकल्पयेत् । धर्मादिभिश्च नवभि: कल्पयित्वासनं मम ॥ २५ ॥ पद्ममष्टदलं तत्र कर्णिकाकेसरोज्ज्वलम् । उभाभ्यां वेदतन्त्राभ्यां मह्यं तूभयसिद्धये ॥ २६ ॥
pādyopasparśārhaṇādīn upacārān prakalpayet dharmādibhiś ca navabhiḥ kalpayitvāsanaṁ mama
على العابد أن يهيّئ أوجه الخدمة كَماء غسل القدمين، وماء المضمضة، والأرغيا وسائر القرابين. وليتخيّل أولًا مقعدي مزدانًا بآلهةٍ مُجسَّدة للدين والمعرفة والزهد والثراء، ومع طاقاتي الروحية التسع؛ كزهرة لوتس ذات ثماني بتلات تتلألأ بخيوط الزعفران في قلبها. ثم، وفق أحكام الفيدا والتنترا معًا، يقدّم لي ماء القدمين وماء المضمضة والأرغيا وغيرها؛ وبهذا ينال اللذة الدنيوية والتحرّر معًا.
According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, religion, knowledge, renunciation and opulence are the legs of the Lord’s sitting platform and occupy the four corners, beginning with the southeast. Irreligion, ignorance, attachment and wretchedness are the intermediate legs, standing in the four directions beginning with the east. The nine śaktis, or potencies, of the Lord are Vimalā, Utkarṣiṇī, Jñānā, Kriyā, Yogā, Prahvī, Satyā, Īśānā and Anugrahā.
FAQs
This verse says a devotee should thoughtfully arrange the upacāras—such as pādya (water for the Lord’s feet) and other respectful offerings—and then prepare the Lord’s seat as part of proper arcana.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa gives Uddhava practical, systematic guidance for bhakti in daily life; deity worship is a concrete way to focus the mind, express reverence, and cultivate steady devotion.
Even with a simple home altar, one can offer clean water, a respectful seat, and heartfelt attention—turning routine actions into disciplined devotion and remembrance of God.