Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 1
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
श्रीउद्धव उवाच क्रियायोगं समाचक्ष्व भवदाराधनं प्रभो । यस्मात्त्वां ये यथार्चन्ति सात्वता: सात्वतर्षभ ॥ १ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca kriyā-yogaṁ samācakṣva bhavad-ārādhanaṁ prabho yasmāt tvāṁ ye yathārcanti sātvatāḥ sātvatarṣabha
Śrī Uddhava dit : Ô Seigneur, maître des dévots, je T’en prie, explique-moi le kriyā-yoga, la méthode prescrite pour T’adorer dans Ta forme de Divinité. Ô le meilleur des sātvatas, quelles sont les qualifications des adorateurs, sur quel fondement ce culte repose-t-il, et quelle en est la procédure précise ?
In addition to performing their prescribed duties, devotees of the Lord engage in regulated worship of the Lord in His Deity form in the temple. Such worship acts powerfully to cleanse the heart of both the lust to enjoy one’s material body and the material family attachment that results directly from this lust. To be effective, however, the process of Deity worship must be performed in the authorized way. Therefore Uddhava now inquires from the Lord about this subject.
FAQs
In this verse, Uddhava asks the Lord to explain kriyā-yoga—regulated methods of worship—by which devotees properly adore Him through arcana (devotional offerings).
Uddhava seeks clear, authoritative guidance on how devotees should worship the Lord, acknowledging that devotees may worship in different authorized ways within the Sāttvata (Vaiṣṇava) tradition.
Adopt a consistent daily practice—simple offerings, prayer, and remembrance—done with sincerity and devotion, aligning your routine with mindful service to the Lord.