Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
शुचि: सम्भृतसम्भार: प्राग्दर्भै: कल्पितासन: । आसीन: प्रागुदग् वार्चेदर्चायां त्वथ सम्मुख: ॥ १९ ॥
śuciḥ sambhṛta-sambhāraḥ prāg-darbhaiḥ kalpitāsanaḥ āsīnaḥ prāg udag vārced arcāyāṁ tv atha sammukhaḥ
Nachdem er sich gereinigt und alle Utensilien gesammelt hat, soll der Verehrer seinen Sitz aus Kuśa‑Gras bereiten, dessen Spitzen nach Osten weisen. Dann setze er sich nach Osten oder Norden gewandt; ist die Gottheit an einem Ort fest aufgestellt, so sitze er direkt ihr gegenüber.
The word sambhṛta-sambhāra means that before beginning the Deity worship one should place all necessary paraphernalia nearby. In this way one will not have to get up continually to search for different items. If the Deity has been permanently installed, then one should sit facing the Deity.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should be clean, collect the needed items, prepare a proper seat (traditionally with darbha grass), and only then begin worship of the Deity.
Krishna is outlining an orderly arcana-vidhi: sitting in an auspicious orientation (east or north) and worshiping while directly facing the Deity, emphasizing attentiveness and proper ritual focus.
Keep yourself and the worship space clean, gather your items before starting, sit in a steady place (a simple mat works), face east or north if possible, and worship with full attention facing the Deity.