Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 31

Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship

Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed

Devanagari script

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरकुङ्कुमागुरुवासितै: । सलिलै: स्‍नापयेन्मन्त्रैर्नित्यदा विभवे सति ॥ ३० ॥ स्वर्णघर्मानुवाकेन महापुरुषविद्यया । पौरुषेणापि सूक्तेन सामभी राजनादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

candanośīra-karpūra- kuṅkumāguru-vāsitaiḥ salilaiḥ snāpayen mantrair nityadā vibhave sati

Translation

സമ്പത്ത് അനുവദിക്കുന്നത്ര ഭംഗിയായി, ഉപാസകൻ നിത്യവും ചന്ദനം, ഉശീര, കർപ്പൂരം, കുങ്കുമം, അഗരു എന്നിവയുടെ സുഗന്ധം കലർന്ന ജലത്തിൽ മന്ത്രങ്ങളോടെ ഭഗവദ്വിഗ്രഹത്തെ സ്നാനിപ്പിക്കണം; കൂടാതെ സ്വർണഘർമ അനുവാകം, മഹാപുരുഷവിദ്യ, പുരുഷസൂക്തം, സാമവേദത്തിലെ രാജനാദി ഗാനങ്ങൾ എന്നിവയും ജപിച്ച് പാടണം।

Synonyms

• स्वर्णघर्म-अनुवाकेन: with the Svarṇagharma anuvāka
• स्वर्णघर्म-अनुवाकेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्णघर्म + अनुवाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—स्वर्णघर्मस्य अनुवाकः (the anuvāka called ‘Svarṇagharma’)

• महापुरुष-विद्यया: with the Mahāpuruṣa-vidyā
• महापुरुष-विद्यया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापुरुष + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—महापुरुषस्य विद्या (the Mahāpuruṣa-vidyā)

• पौरुषेण: with the Pauruṣa (hymn/rite)
• पौरुषेण: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि-भाव (also/even)

• सूक्तेन: with a hymn (sūkta)
• सूक्तेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सामभिः: with Sāma chants
• सामभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• राजन-आदिभिः: with ‘Rājan’ and other (chants)
• राजन-आदिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—राजनादयः (rājan etc., i.e., other chants)

Purport

The Puruṣa-sūkta prayer, beginning om sahasra-śīrṣā-puruṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasra-pāt, is contained within the Ṛg Veda.

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about bathing the Deity (abhiṣeka)?

In Canto 11, Chapter 27, Kṛṣṇa teaches that when one has the means, the Deity should be bathed daily with scented water while reciting mantras, as part of proper arcana (Deity worship).

Why did Krishna teach Uddhava these details of Deity worship?

Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava in the practical path of bhakti—how devotion is expressed through regulated worship (arcana), including offerings and bathing the Deity with purity and reverence.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Worship according to one’s capacity: keep daily devotion consistent, offer cleanliness and sincerity, and use simple or elaborate items depending on means—without neglecting remembrance and mantra.