Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 22
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयार्थं त्रीणि पात्राणि देशिक: । हृदा शीर्ष्णाथ शिखया गायत्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत् ॥ २२ ॥
pādyārghyācamanīyārthaṁ trīṇi pātrāṇi deśikaḥ hṛdā śīrṣṇātha śikhayā gāyatryā cābhimantrayet
For pādya, arghya, and ācamana, the worshiper should set out three vessels. He should consecrate the pādya vessel with “hṛdayāya namaḥ”, the arghya vessel with “śirase svāhā”, and the ācamana vessel with “śikhāyai vaṣaṭ”; and he should also chant the Gāyatrī mantra over all three.
FAQs
In Canto 11, Kṛṣṇa explains that the worshiper should keep three separate vessels for pādya (washing the Lord’s feet), arghya (respectful offering), and ācamanīya (sipping water), and consecrate them with mantra, including the Gāyatrī.
As part of the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa gives Uddhava practical, sādhana-focused guidance for sustaining pure bhakti—showing how external worship (arcana) can be performed with inner sanctity and mantra-consciousness.
Even if one’s worship is simple, keep offerings clean and intentional, and sanctify actions with remembrance (mantra/japa). The verse emphasizes purity, mindfulness, and devotion in every step of spiritual practice.