Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 51
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
अर्चादौ हृदये चापि यथालब्धोपचारकै: । द्रव्यक्षित्यात्मलिङ्गानि निष्पाद्य प्रोक्ष्य चासनम् ॥ ५० ॥ पाद्यादीनुपकल्प्याथ सन्निधाप्य समाहित: । हृदादिभि: कृतन्यासो मूलमन्त्रेण चार्चयेत् ॥ ५१ ॥
arcādau hṛdaye cāpi yathā-labdhopacārakaiḥ dravya-kṣity-ātma-liṅgāni niṣpādya prokṣya cāsanam
礼拝に用い得る品々を集め、供物・場所・心・御神像を整え、座を浄水で洒ぎ清め、足洗いの水などの具を備える。次に御神像を所定の座に安置し、心中にも迎え入れて集中し、心臓部などにニャーサ／ティラカを施し、根本マントラによって礼拝すべきである。
ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ
FAQs
This verse teaches that one may worship the Lord—externally as the Deity or internally in the heart—using whatever worship items are obtainable, emphasizing sincere devotion over luxury.
In the Uddhava-gītā, Kṛṣṇa summarizes practical bhakti methods; here He outlines a focused arcana sequence—purifying the seat, offering pādya and other items, invoking the Lord, and placing mantras (nyāsa)—to make worship attentive and sacred.
Create a simple, clean worship space, offer what you can (even water), steady the mind, remember the Lord within the heart, and chant your principal mantra with attention and reverence.