Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 30
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरकुङ्कुमागुरुवासितै: । सलिलै: स्नापयेन्मन्त्रैर्नित्यदा विभवे सति ॥ ३० ॥ स्वर्णघर्मानुवाकेन महापुरुषविद्यया । पौरुषेणापि सूक्तेन सामभी राजनादिभि: ॥ ३१ ॥
candanośīra-karpūra- kuṅkumāguru-vāsitaiḥ salilaiḥ snāpayen mantrair nityadā vibhave sati
Araw-araw, ayon sa kaya ng yaman, dapat paliguan ng sumasamba ang anyo ng Diyos gamit ang tubig na pinabanguhan ng sandalwood, uśīra, kampor, kuṅkuma at aguru, habang binibigkas ang mga mantra; at dapat ding awitin ang mga himnong Veda gaya ng Svarṇa-gharma anuvāka, Mahāpuruṣa-vidyā, Puruṣa-sūkta, at mga awit ng Sāma Veda tulad ng Rājana at Rohiṇya.
The Puruṣa-sūkta prayer, beginning om sahasra-śīrṣā-puruṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasra-pāt, is contained within the Ṛg Veda.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.