Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 45
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
स्तवैरुच्चावचै: स्तोत्रै: पौराणै: प्राकृतैरपि । स्तुत्वा प्रसीद भगवन्निति वन्देत दण्डवत् ॥ ४५ ॥
stavair uccāvacaiḥ stotraiḥ paurāṇaiḥ prākṛtair api stutvā prasīda bhagavann iti vandeta daṇḍa-vat
Dapat purihin ng deboto ang Panginoon sa iba’t ibang himno at panalangin—mula sa mga Purāṇa, sa iba pang sinaunang kasulatan, at maging sa karaniwang mga tradisyon. Pagkatapos, nananalangin ng “O Panginoon, mahabag Ka sa akin,” siya’y magpatirapa sa dāṇḍavat na pagyukod.
FAQs
This verse affirms that one may praise the Lord not only with refined, scriptural hymns but also with ordinary, heartfelt words—what matters is sincere glorification and the prayer, “Be pleased, O Bhagavān.”
In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa teaches practical bhakti, including deity worship (arcana). Here He explains that worship is accessible: one can glorify Him with many kinds of prayers and then offer full prostration.
Offer daily gratitude and prayer—whether by reciting traditional stotras or speaking simply from the heart—and cultivate humility through respectful obeisance (physically, when appropriate, or mentally), asking the Lord to be pleased.