Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
शुचि: सम्भृतसम्भार: प्राग्दर्भै: कल्पितासन: । आसीन: प्रागुदग् वार्चेदर्चायां त्वथ सम्मुख: ॥ १९ ॥
śuciḥ sambhṛta-sambhāraḥ prāg-darbhaiḥ kalpitāsanaḥ āsīnaḥ prāg udag vārced arcāyāṁ tv atha sammukhaḥ
Setelah menyucikan diri dan mengumpulkan segala kelengkapan, pemuja hendaklah menyusun tempat duduknya daripada rumput kuśa dengan hujung menghala ke timur. Kemudian dia duduk menghadap timur atau utara; atau jika arca tetap di satu tempat, dia duduk tepat menghadap arca itu.
The word sambhṛta-sambhāra means that before beginning the Deity worship one should place all necessary paraphernalia nearby. In this way one will not have to get up continually to search for different items. If the Deity has been permanently installed, then one should sit facing the Deity.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should be clean, collect the needed items, prepare a proper seat (traditionally with darbha grass), and only then begin worship of the Deity.
Krishna is outlining an orderly arcana-vidhi: sitting in an auspicious orientation (east or north) and worshiping while directly facing the Deity, emphasizing attentiveness and proper ritual focus.
Keep yourself and the worship space clean, gather your items before starting, sit in a steady place (a simple mat works), face east or north if possible, and worship with full attention facing the Deity.