Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 3
Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship
Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed
नि:सृतं ते मुखाम्भोजाद् यदाह भगवानज: । पुत्रेभ्यो भृगुमुख्येभ्यो देव्यै च भगवान् भव: ॥ ३ ॥ एतद् वै सर्ववर्णानामाश्रमाणां च सम्मतम् । श्रेयसामुत्तमं मन्ये स्त्रीशूद्राणां च मानद ॥ ४ ॥
niḥsṛtaṁ te mukhāmbhojād yad āha bhagavān ajaḥ putrebhyo bhṛgu-mukhyebhyo devyai ca bhagavān bhavaḥ
至仁至厚的大主啊，关于礼拜神像（Arca）的法门，最初从您莲华般的口中流出；随后无生者梵天（Brahmā）传与以婆利古（Bhṛgu）为首的诸子，主湿婆亦将此教示予女神帕尔瓦蒂（Pārvatī）。此法为一切种姓与一切住期（āśrama）所共许且相应；因此我认为，即便对妇女与首陀罗而言，礼拜您之神像形相亦是诸修行中最上之利益。
FAQs
In 11.27.3, Kṛṣṇa affirms that the principles of arcana are not invented but descend through authoritative speakers like Brahmā and Śiva, establishing a recognized paramparā for deity worship.
Kṛṣṇa cites revered transmitters of Vedic wisdom to show that the arcana process is universally accepted among great progenitors and sages, and thus trustworthy for spiritual practice.
Seek guidance from authentic lineages and verified sources rather than self-made spirituality—practice devotion with methods grounded in proven tradition.