Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 37
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
परिस्तीर्याथ पर्युक्षेदन्वाधाय यथाविधि । प्रोक्षण्यासाद्य द्रव्याणि प्रोक्ष्याग्नौ भावयेत माम् ॥ ३७ ॥
paristīryātha paryukṣed anvādhāya yathā-vidhi prokṣaṇyāsādya dravyāṇi prokṣyāgnau bhāvayeta mām
After spreading kuśa grass on the ground and sprinkling it with water, one should perform the anvādhāna rite as prescribed. Then, arranging the oblation items and sanctifying them with water from the sprinkling vessel, the worshiper should meditate upon Me within the fire.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī mentions that one should meditate upon the Lord as the Supersoul within the sacrificial fire.
FAQs
This verse describes spreading the seat/kuśa, sprinkling the place with sanctified water, performing the proper subsidiary offering, and sprinkling the worship items—treating purification as an essential part of arcana done according to vidhi.
Because the purpose of ritual is remembrance of Bhagavān: after purifying the substances and performing offerings, the worshiper should internalize devotion by contemplating Kṛṣṇa’s presence in the sacred fire, not merely performing external acts.
Keep your worship space and items clean and sanctified, follow a consistent method, and most importantly connect every step to mindful remembrance of Kṛṣṇa—letting external purity support inner devotion.