Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 36

Arcana-vidhi: The Method of Deity Worship

Vedic, Tantric, and Mixed

Devanagari script

विधिना विहिते कुण्डे मेखलागर्तवेदिभि: । अग्निमाधाय परित: समूहेत् पाणिनोदितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

vidhinā vihite kuṇḍe mekhalā-garta-vedibhiḥ agnim ādhāya paritaḥ samūhet pāṇinoditam

Translation

在依经典法则建成的祭场火坛（昆达）中，具备圣带界线、祭坑与祭台土堆时，信徒应安置并点燃祭火；再以双手堆聚柴薪于四周，使火焰炽盛。

Synonyms

• vidhinā: by rule/according to procedure
• vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• vihite: in the prescribed (one)
• vihite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vihita (कृदन्त; √dhā ‘to place/ordain’ with vi-)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle)

• kuṇḍe: in the fire-pit
• kuṇḍe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• mekhalā-garta-vedibhiḥ: with (its) rim, trenches, and altars
• mekhalā-garta-vedibhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mekhalā (प्रातिपदिक) + garta (प्रातिपदिक) + vedi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व

• agnim: fire
• agnim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ādhāya: having installed
• ādhāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhā (धातु) with ā- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having placed/installed’

• paritaḥ: all around
• paritaḥ: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: paritaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• samūhet: should arrange/collect
• samūhet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √uh (धातु) with sam- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• pāṇinā-uditam: that which is enjoined/declared by Pāṇi
• pāṇinā-uditam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक) + udita (कृदन्त; √vad/√ud ‘to utter/declare’ with ud-)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (‘by Pāṇi declared’); भूतकृदन्त

Characters & Entities

• Uddhava
• Kṛṣṇa

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about preparing a fire altar (homa-kunda) for worship?

This verse instructs that the fire-pit should be constructed according to scriptural rules (with proper boundaries, trenches, and altar), the sacred fire established, and the prescribed offering items gathered and arranged around it.

Why did Krishna describe these ritual details to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava practical devotional disciplines, including arcana (Deity worship) and associated rites like homa, showing how devotion is expressed through orderly, scripture-guided worship.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

Approach spiritual practice with cleanliness, preparation, and fidelity to authentic guidance—set up a proper sacred space, follow a trustworthy tradition, and offer worship attentively rather than casually.