Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 30

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

ผู้บูชาควรอาบน้ำแด่เทวรูปทุกวันตามกำลังทรัพย์ ด้วยน้ำที่อบด้วยจันทน์ อุศีระ การบูร กุṅกุม และอะคุรุ พร้อมสวดมนต์ และควรสาธยายบทเวทต่าง ๆ เช่น สวรรณะ-ฆรรมา อนุวากะ มหาปุรุษวิทยา ปุรุษสูกตะ และบทขับแห่งสามเวท เช่น ราชนะและโรหิณยะ

Synonyms

• चन्दन-उशीर-कर्पूर-कुङ्कुम-अगुरु-वासितैः: with water perfumed with sandal, uśīra, camphor, saffron, and aguru
• चन्दन-उशीर-कर्पूर-कुङ्कुम-अगुरु-वासितैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्दन + उशीर + कर्पूर + कुङ्कुम + अगुरु + वासित (कृदन्त; √वास्/वासय् caus.)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifies 'सलिलैः'); 'वासित' = क्त-प्रत्यय (past participle), 'सुगन्धित/संसिक्त' अर्थे

• सलिलैः: with waters
• सलिलैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सलिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• स्नापयेत्: should bathe (the deity)
• स्नापयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative) ‘स्नापयति’ = ‘to bathe (someone)’

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• नित्यदा: always
• नित्यदा: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• विभवे: in (one’s) means/wealth
• विभवे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• सति: when present/available
• सति: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: सत् (शतृ/वर्तमान-कृदन्त), सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-सम्बन्धे (locative absolute) ‘when there is/if available’

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 (abhisheka/snana)?

In 11.27.30, Kṛṣṇa teaches that the Deity should be bathed daily with mantra-recitation, using pleasantly scented water—performed according to one’s resources.

Why did Krishna give these deity-worship instructions to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa compassionately summarizes practical bhakti disciplines—especially arcana (Deity worship)—so Uddhava and devotees can steadily fix the mind on the Lord through daily service.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life if I have limited time or money?

Worship “according to your means”: keep a simple, clean practice—offer water, a small fragrant item if available, and chant a short mantra with attention and devotion.