Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
तदद्भिर्देवयजनं द्रव्याण्यात्मानमेव च । प्रोक्ष्य पात्राणि त्रीण्यद्भिस्तैस्तैर्द्रव्यैश्च साधयेत् ॥ २१ ॥
tad-adbhir deva-yajanaṁ dravyāṇy ātmānam eva ca prokṣya pātrāṇi trīṇy adbhis tais tair dravyaiś ca sādhayet
จากนั้นให้ใช้น้ำในภาชนะโปรกษณียะพรมบริเวณที่บูชา เครื่องสักการะที่จะถวาย และแม้แต่ร่างกายของตนเองให้บริสุทธิ์ ต่อไปให้ตกแต่งภาชนะสามใบที่บรรจุน้ำด้วยวัตถุมงคลต่าง ๆ ตามพิธี
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī gives references from Vedic literature stating that the water meant for bathing the feet should be combined with millet seeds, dūrvā grass mixed in water, viṣṇukrānta flowers and other items. The water used for arghya should include the following eight items: fragrant oil, flowers, unbroken barleycorns, husked barleycorns, the tips of kuśa grass, sesame seeds, mustard seeds and dūrvā grass. The water for sipping should include jasmine flowers, ground cloves and kakkola berries.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should sprinkle sanctified water to purify the worship area, the articles, and oneself, and also purify the vessels—then proceed with worship using the appropriate offerings.
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa gives Uddhava practical bhakti instructions—showing that devotion is expressed through mindful, purified worship and proper procedure.
Before prayer or pūjā, create a clean space, purify your mindset and tools (even symbolically with water), and then offer what you have with attention and sincerity.