Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 44
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
उपगायन् गृणन् नृत्यन् कर्माण्यभिनयन् मम । मत्कथा: श्रावयन् शृण्वन् मुहूर्तं क्षणिको भवेत् ॥ ४४ ॥
upagāyan gṛṇan nṛtyan karmāṇy abhinayan mama mat-kathāḥ śrāvayan śṛṇvan muhūrtaṁ kṣaṇiko bhavet
En chantant avec les autres, en proclamant à haute voix et en dansant, en mimant Mes jeux transcendants, et en écoutant comme en racontant des récits à Mon sujet, le dévot doit, un moment, s’absorber dans une telle fête.
A devotee engaged in regulative worship of the Supreme Lord should sometimes become ecstatically absorbed in chanting and hearing the pastimes of the Lord, dancing, and other festivities. The word muhūrtam, “for some time,” indicates that a devotee should be careful not to neglect his regulative principles and service to the Lord in the name of so-called ecstasy. Although one may be ecstatically engaged in chanting, hearing and dancing, he cannot give up the formality of regulated service to the Lord.
FAQs
This verse says that by singing, glorifying, dancing, and especially hearing and helping others hear Krishna’s narrations, even a fickle-minded person quickly becomes steady in devotion.
In the Uddhava Gita section, Krishna instructs Uddhava on practical bhakti and worship; here He emphasizes kirtan, hearing, and devotional expression as powerful means to stabilize the mind in God-consciousness.
Regularly listen to Bhagavatam/Krishna-katha, participate in kirtan (singing and chanting), and share devotional audio/reading with others—these practices quickly reduce distraction and build consistent spiritual focus.