Lord Krishna's Instructions on the Process of Deity Worship

Verse 1 (bhagavata.11.27.1)

श्रीउद्धव उवाच क्रियायोगं समाचक्ष्व भवदाराधनं प्रभो । यस्मात्त्वां ये यथार्चन्ति सात्वताः सात्वतर्षभ ॥ १ ॥

śrī-uddhava uvāca kriyā-yogaṁ samācakṣva bhavad-ārādhanaṁ prabho yasmāt tvāṁ ye yathārcanti sātvatāḥ sātvatarṣabha

Sri Uddhava said: My Lord, please describe the ritual practice of Your worship — the basis on which, and the manner in which, Your devotees, the Satvatas, worship You, O best of the Satvatas.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.11.27.2)

एतद् वदन्ति मुनयो मुहुर्निःश्रेयसं नृणाम् । नारदो भगवान् व्यास आचार्योऽङ्गिरसः सुतः ॥ २ ॥

etad vadanti munayo muhur niḥśreyasaṁ nṛṇām nārado bhagavān vyāsa ācāryo 'ṅgirasaḥ sutaḥ

The sages repeatedly declare this to be the highest good for mankind — this is the teaching of the illustrious Narada, of Vyasa, and of my own teacher, the son of Angiras.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.11.27.3)

निःसृतं ते मुखाम्भोजाद् यदाह भगवानजः । पुत्रेभ्यो भृगुमुख्येभ्यो देव्यै च भगवान् भवः ॥ ३ ॥

niḥsṛtaṁ te mukhāmbhojād yad āha bhagavān ajaḥ putrebhyo bhṛgu-mukhyebhyo devyai ca bhagavān bhavaḥ

This teaching first issued from Your own lotus mouth, and was then spoken by the illustrious unborn Brahma to his sons beginning with Bhrigu, and by the illustrious Shiva to the goddess.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.11.27.4)

एतद् वै सर्ववर्णानामाश्रमाणां च सम्मतम् । श्रेयसामुत्तमं मन्ये स्त्रीशूद्राणां च मानद ॥ ४ ॥

etad vai sarva-varṇānām āśramāṇāṁ ca sammatam śreyasām uttamaṁ manye strī-śūdrāṇāṁ ca māna-da

O giver of honor, I believe this rite is approved for people of every varna and ashrama, and that it is the very highest means of good fortune — even for women and shudras.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.11.27.5)

एतत् कमलपत्राक्ष कर्मबन्धविमोचनम् । भक्ताय चानुरक्ताय ब्रूहि विश्वेश्वरेश्वर ॥ ५ ॥

etat kamala-patrākṣa karma-bandha-vimocanam bhaktāya cānuraktāya brūhi viśveśvareśvara

O lotus-eyed one, O Lord of the lords of the universe, please explain to Your devoted, loving servant this means of release from the bondage of karma.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.11.27.6)

श्रीभगवानुवाच न ह्यन्तोऽनन्तपारस्य कर्मकाण्डस्य चोद्धव । सङ्क्षिप्तं वर्णयिष्यामि यथावदनुपूर्वशः ॥ ६ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca na hy anto 'nanta-pārasya karma-kāṇḍasya coddhava saṅkṣiptaṁ varṇayiṣyāmi yathāvad anupūrvaśaḥ

The Blessed Lord said: My dear Uddhava, the ritual section of scripture has no end — it is boundless. So I shall describe it to you briefly, properly, in due order.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.11.27.7)

वैदिकस्तान्त्रिको मिश्र इति मे त्रिविधो मखः । त्रयाणामीप्सितेनैव विधिना मां समर्चरेत् ॥ ७ ॥

vaidikas tāntriko miśra iti me tri-vidho makhaḥ trayāṇām īpsitenaiva vidhinā māṁ samarcaret

My worship is of three kinds — Vedic, Tantric and mixed. One should worship Me properly by whichever of these three methods one desires.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.11.27.8)

यदा स्वनिगमेनोक्तं द्विजत्वं प्राप्य पूरुषः । यथा यजेत मां भक्त्या श्रद्धया तन्निबोध मे ॥ ८ ॥

yadā sva-nigamenoktaṁ dvijatvaṁ prāpya pūruṣaḥ yathā yajeta māṁ bhaktyā śraddhayā tan nibodha me

Now hear from Me how a person, having attained twice-born status as prescribed in his own branch of the Veda, should worship Me with faith and devotion.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.11.27.9)

अर्चायां स्थण्डिलेऽग्नौ वा सूर्ये वाप्सु हृदि द्विजः । द्रव्येण भक्तियुक्तोऽर्चेत् स्वगुरुं माममायया ॥ ९ ॥

arcāyāṁ sthaṇḍile 'gnau vā sūrye vāpsu hṛdi dvijaḥ dravyeṇa bhakti-yukto 'rcet sva-guruṁ mām amāyayā

The twice-born should worship Me, his own venerable Lord, without deceit, offering fitting materials with devotion — in the Deity form, on the prepared ground, in fire, in the sun, in water, or within his own heart.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.11.27.10)

पूर्वं स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत धौतदन्तोऽङ्गशुद्धये । उभयैरपि च स्नानं मन्त्रैर्मृद्ग्रहणादिना ॥ १० ॥

pūrvaṁ snānaṁ prakurvīta dhauta-danto 'ṅga-śuddhaye ubhayair api ca snānaṁ mantrair mṛd-grahaṇādinā

One should first bathe, having cleaned the teeth, to purify the body, and then bathe again with clay and the like, using both kinds of mantras, Vedic and Tantric.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.11.27.11)

सन्ध्योपास्त्यादिकर्माणि वेदेनाचोदितानि मे । पूजां तैः कल्पयेत् सम्यक् सङ्कल्पः कर्मपावनीम् ॥ ११ ॥

sandhyopāstyādi-karmāṇi vedenācoditāni me pūjāṁ taiḥ kalpayet samyak- saṅkalpaḥ karma-pāvanīm

With right resolve, one should perform the rites enjoined by the Veda, such as the daily sandhya prayers, as My worship, for they purify one's actions.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.11.27.12)

शैली दारुमयी लौही लेप्या लेख्या च सैकती । मनोमयी मणिमयी प्रतिमाष्टविधा स्मृता ॥ १२ ॥

śailī dāru-mayī lauhī lepyā lekhyā ca saikatī mano-mayī maṇi-mayī pratimāṣṭa-vidhā smṛtā

The Deity image is said to be of eight kinds: made of stone, of wood, of metal, of clay, painted, drawn, made of sand, mental, or made of gems.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.11.27.13)

चलाचलेति द्विविधा प्रतिष्ठा जीवमन्दिरम् । उद्वासावाहने न स्तः स्थिरायामुद्धवार्चने ॥ १३ ॥

calācaleti dvi-vidhā pratiṣṭhā jīva-mandiram udvāsāvāhane na staḥ sthirāyām uddhavārcane

The establishment of the Deity, the shelter of all beings, is of two kinds — movable and immovable. For a fixed Deity, Uddhava, there is neither invoking nor sending away.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.11.27.14)

अस्थिरायां विकल्पः स्यात् स्थण्डिले तु भवेद् द्वयम् । स्नपनं त्वविलेप्यायामन्यत्र परिमार्जनम् ॥ १४ ॥

asthirāyāṁ vikalpaḥ syāt sthaṇḍile tu bhaved dvayam snapanaṁ tv avilepyāyām anyatra parimārjanam

For a movable image, invoking and sending away are optional; but for one established on the ground, both are required. Bathing is done with water, except for an image made of clay-paste, for which mere cleansing suffices.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.11.27.15)

द्रव्यैः प्रसिद्धैर्मद्यागः प्रतिमादिष्वमायिनः । भक्तस्य च यथालब्धैर्हृदि भावेन चैव हि ॥ १५ ॥

dravyaiḥ prasiddhair mad-yāgaḥ pratimādiṣv amāyinaḥ bhaktasya ca yathā-labdhair hṛdi bhāvena caiva hi

My worship in the Deity and other forms is normally done with excellent materials, but the sincere devotee may worship with whatever is at hand — even, in the heart, with feeling alone.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.11.27.16)

स्नानालङ्करणं प्रेष्ठमर्चायामेव तूद्धव । स्थण्डिले तत्त्वविन्यासो वह्नावाज्यप्लुतं हविः ॥ १६ ॥

snānālaṅkaraṇaṁ preṣṭham arcāyām eva tūddhava sthaṇḍile tattva-vinyāso vahnāv ājya-plutaṁ haviḥ

For the Deity image, Uddhava, bathing and adornment are dearest to Me; for worship on the ground, the placing of the tattvas is dearest; and in fire, the ghee-drenched oblation is dearest.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.11.27.17)

सूर्ये चाभ्यर्हणं प्रेष्ठं सलिले सलिलादिभिः । श्रद्धयोपाहृतं प्रेष्ठं भक्तेन मम वार्यपि ॥ १७ ॥

sūrye cābhyarhaṇaṁ preṣṭhaṁ salile salilādibhiḥ śraddhayopāhṛtaṁ preṣṭhaṁ bhaktena mama vāry api

For the sun, homage with arghya is dearest; in water, worship with water is dearest. But whatever My devotee offers Me with faith — even mere water — is dearest of all to Me.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.11.27.18)

भूर्यप्यभक्तोपाहृतं न मे तोषाय कल्पते । गन्धो धूपः सुमनसो दीपोऽन्नाद्यं च किं पुनः ॥ १८ ॥

bhūry apy abhaktopāhṛtaṁ na me toṣāya kalpate gandho dhūpaḥ sumanaso dīpo 'nnādyaṁ ca kiṁ punaḥ

Even a lavish offering, if brought by one without devotion, does not satisfy Me — how much less, then, mere fragrance, incense, flowers, a lamp or food, offered in that same spirit.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.11.27.19)

शुचिः सम्भृतसम्भारः प्राग्दर्भैः कल्पितासनः । आसीनः प्रागुदग् वार्चेदर्चायां त्वथ सम्मुखः ॥ १९ ॥

śuciḥ sambhṛta-sambhāraḥ prāg-darbhaiḥ kalpitāsanaḥ āsīnaḥ prāg udag vārced arcāyāṁ tv atha sammukhaḥ

Having purified himself and gathered the materials, and having made a seat of kusha grass with the tips pointing east, he should sit facing east or north — or, before a fixed Deity, directly facing it.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.11.27.20)

कृतन्यासः कृतन्यासां मदर्चां पाणिना मृजेत् । कलशं प्रोक्षणीयं च यथावदुपसाधयेत् ॥ २० ॥

kṛta-nyāsaḥ kṛta-nyāsāṁ mad-arcāṁ pāṇināmṛjet kalaśaṁ prokṣaṇīyaṁ ca yathāvad upasādhayet

Having performed nyasa on himself, he should with his hand wipe clean My Deity image, on which nyasa has likewise been performed, and should properly prepare the sacred water-pot and the sprinkling vessel.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.11.27.21)

तदद्भिर्देवयजनं द्रव्याण्यात्मानमेव च । प्रोक्ष्य पात्राणि त्रीण्यद्भिस्तैस्तैर्द्रव्यैश्च साधयेत् ॥ २१ ॥

tad-adbhir deva-yajanaṁ dravyāṇy ātmānam eva ca prokṣya pātrāṇi trīṇy adbhis tais tair dravyaiś ca sādhayet

With that water he should sprinkle the place of worship, the offering materials and himself, and with those same materials and that same water he should prepare three vessels.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.11.27.22)

पाद्यार्घ्याचमनीयार्थं त्रीणि पात्राणि देशिकः । हृदा शीर्ष्णाथ शिखया गायत्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत् ॥ २२ ॥

pādyārghyācamanīyārthaṁ trīṇi pātrāṇi deśikaḥ hṛdā śīrṣṇātha śikhayā gāyatryā cābhimantrayet

The officiant should consecrate the three vessels meant for foot-water, arghya and sipping-water with the mantras of the heart, the head and the tuft, and with the Gayatri.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.11.27.23)

पिण्डे वाय्वग्निसंशुद्धे हृत्पद्मस्थां परां मम । अण्वीं जीवकलां ध्यायेन्नादान्ते सिद्धभाविताम् ॥ २३ ॥

piṇḍe vāyv-agni-saṁśuddhe hṛt-padma-sthāṁ parāṁ mama aṇvīṁ jīva-kalāṁ dhyāyen nādānte siddha-bhāvitām

In the body purified by breath-control and fire, he should meditate on My subtle, supreme portion seated as the life-force in the lotus of the heart — the form which the perfected realize at the very end of the sound of Om.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.11.27.24)

तयात्मभूतया पिण्डे व्याप्ते सम्पूज्य तन्मयः । आवाह्यार्चादिषु स्थाप्य न्यस्ताङ्गं मां प्रपूजयेत् ॥ २४ ॥

tayātma-bhūtayā piṇḍe vyāpte sampūjya tan-mayaḥ āvāhyārcādiṣu sthāpya nyastāṅgaṁ māṁ prapūjayet

Worshiping in absorption within the body pervaded by that portion, now become one with the self, and having performed the placing of limbs, he should invoke and establish Me in the Deity and other such forms, and then worship Me fully.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.11.27.25)

पाद्योपस्पर्शार्हणादीनुपचारान् प्रकल्पयेत् । धर्मादिभिश्च नवभिः कल्पयित्वासनं मम ॥ २५ ॥

pādyopasparśārhaṇādīn upacārān prakalpayet dharmādibhiś ca navabhiḥ kalpayitvāsanaṁ mama

Having conceived of My seat together with the nine attendant deities beginning with Dharma, he should arrange the offerings — water for the feet, sipping-water, honorific water and the rest.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.11.27.26)

पद्ममष्टदलं तत्र कर्णिकाकेसरोज्ज्वलम् । उभाभ्यां वेदतन्त्राभ्यां मह्यं तूभयसिद्धये ॥ २६ ॥

padmam aṣṭa-dalaṁ tatra karṇikā-kesarojjvalam ubhābhyāṁ veda-tantrābhyāṁ mahyaṁ tūbhaya-siddhaye

There he should conceive an eight-petaled lotus, radiant with its filament-bright whorl, and worship Me by both the Vedic and Tantric methods together, so that both this-worldly and other-worldly attainment may be secured.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.11.27.27)

सुदर्शनं पाञ्चजन्यं गदासीषुधनुर्हलान् । मुषलं कौस्तुभं मालां श्रीवत्सं चानुपूजयेत् ॥ २७ ॥

sudarśanaṁ pāñcajanyaṁ gadāsīṣu-dhanur-halān muṣalaṁ kaustubhaṁ mālāṁ śrīvatsaṁ cānupūjayet

He should then worship, in order, the Sudarshana discus, the Panchajanya conch, the club, sword, arrows, bow and plough, the mace, the Kaustubha gem, the garland, and the mark of Shrivatsa.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.11.27.28)

नन्दं सुनन्दं गरुडं प्रचण्डं चण्डमेव च । महाबलं बलं चैव कुमुदं कमुदेक्षणम् ॥ २८ ॥

nandaṁ sunandaṁ garuḍaṁ pracaṇḍaṁ caṇḍam eva ca mahābalaṁ balaṁ caiva kumudaṁ kumudekṣaṇam

He should also worship Nanda and Sunanda, Garuda, Prachanda and Chanda, Mahabala and Bala, and Kumuda and Kumudekshana.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.11.27.29)

दुर्गां विनायकं व्यासं विष्वक्सेनं गुरून्सुरान् । स्वे स्वे स्थाने त्वभिमुखान् पूजयेत् प्रोक्षणादिभिः ॥ २९ ॥

durgāṁ vināyakaṁ vyāsaṁ viṣvaksenaṁ gurūn surān sve sve sthāne tv abhimukhān pūjayet prokṣaṇādibhiḥ

He should worship Durga, Vinayaka, Vyasa, Vishvaksena, the gurus and the gods too, each set in his own proper place facing the Deity, with sprinkling and the other rites.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.11.27.30)

चन्दनोशीरकर्पूरकुङ्कुमागुरुवासितैः । सलिलैः स्नापयेन्मन्त्रैर्नित्यदा विभवे सति ॥ ३० ॥

candanośīra-karpūra- kuṅkumāguru-vāsitaiḥ salilaiḥ snāpayen mantrair nityadā vibhave sati

According to his means, he should daily bathe the Deity with mantras, using water scented with sandalwood, ushira root, camphor, kumkum and aguru.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.11.27.31)

स्वर्णघर्मानुवाकेन महापुरुषविद्यया । पौरुषेणापि सूक्तेन सामभी राजनादिभिः ॥ ३१ ॥

svarṇa-gharmānuvākena mahāpuruṣa-vidyayā pauruṣeṇāpi sūktena sāmabhī rājanādibhiḥ

He should bathe the Deity with the Svarna-gharma hymn, the Mahapurusha-vidya, the Purusha-sukta, and the Sama chants beginning with the Rajana.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.11.27.32)

वस्त्रोपवीताभरणपत्रस्रग्गन्धलेपनैः । अलङ्कुर्वीत सप्रेम मद्भक्तो मां यथोचितम् ॥ ३२ ॥

vastropavītābharaṇa- patra-srag-gandha-lepanaiḥ alaṅkurvīta sa-prema mad-bhakto māṁ yathocitam

My devotee should lovingly and fittingly adorn Me with garments, the sacred thread, ornaments, tilaka markings, garlands and fragrant unguents.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.11.27.33)

पाद्यमाचमनीयं च गन्धं सुमनसोऽक्षतान् । धूपदीपोपहार्याणि दद्यान्मे श्रद्धयार्चकः ॥ ३३ ॥

pādyam ācamanīyaṁ ca gandhaṁ sumanaso 'kṣatān dhūpa-dīpopahāryāṇi dadyān me śraddhayārcakaḥ

The worshiper should faithfully offer Me water for the feet, sipping-water, fragrant paste, flowers, unbroken rice, incense, a lamp and other gifts.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.11.27.34)

गुडपायससर्पींषि शष्कुल्यापूपमोदकान् । संयावदधिसूपांश्च नैवेद्यं सति कल्पयेत् ॥ ३४ ॥

guḍa-pāyasa-sarpīṁṣi śaṣkuly-āpūpa-modakān saṁyāva-dadhi-sūpāṁś ca naivedyaṁ sati kalpayet

According to his means, he should offer as naivedya jaggery, sweet rice, ghee, shashkuli and apupa cakes, modakas, samyava cakes, curd and vegetable broths.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.11.27.35)

अभ्यङ्गोन्मर्दनादर्शदन्तधावाभिषेचनम् । अन्नाद्यगीतनृत्यानि पर्वणि स्युरुतान्वहम् ॥ ३५ ॥

abhyaṅgonmardanādarśa- danta-dhāvābhiṣecanam annādya-gīta-nṛtyāni parvaṇi syur utānv-aham

Anointing, massage, the showing of a mirror, a tooth-cleaning twig, and bathing, together with food-offerings, singing and dancing, should be performed on festival days — or, better still, every day.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.11.27.36)

विधिना विहिते कुण्डे मेखलागर्तवेदिभिः । अग्निमाधाय परितः समूहेत् पाणिनोदितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

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

In a fire-pit built according to rule, with its girdle, trench and altar-mound, having established the fire, he should arrange all around it the fuel he has gathered with his own hands.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.11.27.37)

परिस्तीर्याथ पर्युक्षेदन्वाधाय यथाविधि । प्रोक्षण्यासाद्य द्रव्याणि प्रोक्ष्याग्नौ भावयेत माम् ॥ ३७ ॥

paristīryātha paryukṣed anvādhāya yathā-vidhi prokṣaṇyāsādya dravyāṇi prokṣyāgnau bhāvayeta mām

Having spread kusha grass and sprinkled it properly, and performed the anvadhana rite, he should sprinkle the offering materials with the consecrated water, and then meditate on Me within the fire.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.11.27.38)

तप्तजाम्बूनदप्रख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाम्बुजैः । लसच्चतुर्भुजं शान्तं पद्मकिञ्जल्कवाससम् ॥ ३८ ॥

tapta-jāmbūnada-prakhyaṁ śaṅkha-cakra-gadāmbujaiḥ lasac-catur-bhujaṁ śāntaṁ padma-kiñjalka-vāsasam

He should meditate on that form — resembling molten gold, its four arms gleaming with conch, discus, mace and lotus, serene, robed in cloth the color of a lotus's filaments —

Verse 39 (bhagavata.11.27.39)

स्फुरत्किरीटकटककटिसूत्रवराङ्गदम् । श्रीवत्सवक्षसं भ्राजत्कौस्तुभं वनमालिनम् ॥ ३९ ॥

sphurat-kirīṭa-kaṭaka kaṭi-sūtra-varāṅgadam śrīvatsa-vakṣasaṁ bhrājat- kaustubhaṁ vana-mālinam

— crowned with a gleaming diadem, adorned with bracelets, girdle and fine armlets, bearing the Shrivatsa mark on his chest, the radiant Kaustubha gem, and a garland of forest flowers.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.11.27.40)

ध्यायन्नभ्यर्च्य दारूणि हविषाभिघृतानि च । प्रास्याज्यभागावाघारौ दत्त्वा चाज्यप्लुतं हविः ॥ ४० ॥

dhyāyann abhyarcya dārūṇi haviṣābhighṛtāni ca prāsyājya-bhāgāv āghārau dattvā cājya-plutaṁ haviḥ

Meditating and worshiping thus, he should offer into the fire pieces of wood soaked in ghee; having given the two ajya-bhaga offerings and the two aghara oblations, and offered the ghee-drenched oblation —

Verse 41 (bhagavata.11.27.41)

जुहुयान्मूलमन्त्रेण षोडशर्चावदानतः । धर्मादिभ्यो यथान्यायं मन्त्रैः स्विष्टिकृतं बुधः ॥ ४१ ॥

juhuyān mūla-mantreṇa ṣoḍaśarcāvadānataḥ dharmādibhyo yathā-nyāyaṁ mantraiḥ sviṣṭi-kṛtaṁ budhaḥ

— the wise worshiper should offer oblations with the root mantra, portion by portion through the sixteen verses of the Purusha-sukta, and duly perform the svishtikrit offering with the mantras of Dharma and the other deities.

Verse 42 (bhagavata.11.27.42)

अभ्यर्च्याथ नमस्कृत्य पार्षदेभ्यो बलिं हरेत् । मूलमन्त्रं जपेद् ब्रह्म स्मरन्नारायणात्मकम् ॥ ४२ ॥

abhyarcyātha namaskṛtya pārṣadebhyo baliṁ haret mūla-mantraṁ japed brahma smaran nārāyaṇātmakam

Having thus worshiped and paid homage, he should present an offering to the Lord's attendants, and, remembering the Supreme as Narayana, should softly recite the root mantra.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.11.27.43)

दत्त्वाचमनमुच्छेषं विष्वक्सेनाय कल्पयेत् । मुखवासं सुरभिमत् ताम्बूलाद्यमथार्हयेत् ॥ ४३ ॥

dattvācamanam uccheṣaṁ viṣvaksenāya kalpayet mukha-vāsaṁ surabhimat tāmbūlādyam athārhayet

Having offered mouth-water once more, he should set aside the remnants for Vishvaksena, and then present fragrant mouth-perfume and betel and the like.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.11.27.44)

उपगायन् गृणन् नृत्यन् कर्माण्यभिनयन् मम । मत्कथाः श्रावयन् शृण्वन् मुहूर्तं क्षणिको भवेत् ॥ ४४ ॥

upagāyan gṛṇan nṛtyan karmāṇy abhinayan mama mat-kathāḥ śrāvayan śṛṇvan muhūrtaṁ kṣaṇiko bhavet

Singing along, praising, dancing, enacting My deeds, and narrating and hearing accounts of Me, he should for a while lose himself entirely in that celebration.

Verse 45 (bhagavata.11.27.45)

स्तवैरुच्चावचैः स्तोत्रैः पौराणैः प्राकृतैरपि । स्तुत्वा प्रसीद भगवन्निति वन्देत दण्डवत् ॥ ४५ ॥

stavair uccāvacaiḥ stotraiḥ paurāṇaiḥ prākṛtair api stutvā prasīda bhagavann iti vandeta daṇḍa-vat

Praising the Lord with hymns and prayers of every kind, from the Puranas as well as from common tradition, he should say, 'O Lord, be gracious,' and fall prostrate like a rod.

Verse 46 (bhagavata.11.27.46)

शिरो मत्पादयोः कृत्वा बाहुभ्यां च परस्परम् । प्रपन्नं पाहि मामीश भीतं मृत्युग्रहार्णवात् ॥ ४६ ॥

śiro mat-pādayoḥ kṛtvā bāhubhyāṁ ca parasparam prapannaṁ pāhi mām īśa bhītaṁ mṛtyu-grahārṇavāt

Placing his head at My feet, with hands joined together, he should pray: 'O Lord, protect me, surrendered to You and afraid of this ocean, in the very jaws of death.'

Verse 47 (bhagavata.11.27.47)

इति शेषां मया दत्तां शिरस्याधाय सादरम् । उद्वासयेच्चेदुद्वास्यं ज्योतिर्ज्योतिषि तत् पुनः ॥ ४७ ॥

iti śeṣāṁ mayā dattāṁ śirasy ādhāya sādaram udvāsayec ced udvāsyaṁ jyotir jyotiṣi tat punaḥ

Praying thus, he should reverently place upon his head the remnants I have given him; and if the Deity is one meant to be sent away, he should dissolve that light once more into the inner light and send it away.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.11.27.48)

अर्चादिषु यदा यत्र श्रद्धा मां तत्र चार्चयेत् । सर्वभूतेष्वात्मनि च सर्वात्माहमवस्थितः ॥ ४८ ॥

arcādiṣu yadā yatra śraddhā māṁ tatra cārcayet sarva-bhūteṣv ātmani ca sarvātmāham avasthitaḥ

In whatever form and place one's faith rests — the Deity or otherwise — there one should worship Me, for I, the Self of all, dwell within every being and within the self as well.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.11.27.49)

एवं क्रियायोगपथैः पुमान् वैदिकतान्त्रिकैः । अर्चन्नुभयतः सिद्धिं मत्तो विन्दत्यभीप्सिताम् ॥ ४९ ॥

evaṁ kriyā-yoga-pathaiḥ pumān vaidika-tāntrikaiḥ arcann ubhayataḥ siddhiṁ matto vindaty abhīpsitām

Thus a person who worships Me through these ritual paths, both Vedic and Tantric, obtains from Me the desired fulfillment on both sides — in this world and beyond.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.11.27.50)

मदर्चां सम्प्रतिष्ठाप्य मन्दिरं कारयेद् दृढम् । पुष्पोद्यानानि रम्याणि पूजायात्रोत्सवाश्रितान् ॥ ५० ॥

mad-arcāṁ sampratiṣṭhāpya mandiraṁ kārayed dṛḍham puṣpodyānāni ramyāṇi pūjā-yātrotsavāśritān

One should firmly establish My Deity and have a solid temple built, along with beautiful flower gardens set aside for the daily worship, processions and festivals.

Verse 51 (bhagavata.11.27.51)

पूजादीनां प्रवाहार्थं महापर्वस्वथान्वहम् । क्षेत्रापणपुरग्रामान् दत्त्वा मत्सार्ष्टितामियात् ॥ ५१ ॥

pūjādīnāṁ pravāhārthaṁ mahā-parvasv athānv-aham kṣetrāpaṇa-pura-grāmān dattvā mat-sārṣṭitām iyāt

One who, so that the daily worship and the great festivals may continue without interruption, gives fields, markets, towns and villages, attains opulence equal to My own.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.11.27.52)

प्रतिष्ठया सार्वभौमं सद्मना भुवनत्रयम् । पूजादिना ब्रह्मलोकं त्रिभिर्मत्साम्यतामियात् ॥ ५२ ॥

pratiṣṭhayā sārvabhaumaṁ sadmanā bhuvana-trayam pūjādinā brahma-lokaṁ tribhir mat-sāmyatām iyāt

By installing the Deity one attains sovereignty over the whole earth; by building the temple, over the three worlds; by the worship and the rest, one reaches Brahmaloka; and by all three together, one attains a form equal to My own.

Verse 53 (bhagavata.11.27.53)

मामेव नैरपेक्ष्येण भक्तियोगेन विन्दति । भक्तियोगं स लभत एवं यः पूजयेत माम् ॥ ५३ ॥

mām eva nairapekṣyeṇa bhakti-yogena vindati bhakti-yogaṁ sa labhata evaṁ yaḥ pūjayeta mām

But one who worships without any such desire, through the yoga of devotion, attains Me directly. Thus whoever worships Me in this way comes to attain devotional union with Me.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.11.27.54)

यः स्वदत्तां परैर्दत्तां हरेत सुरविप्रयोः । वृत्तिं स जायते विड्भुग् वर्षाणामयुतायुतम् ॥ ५४ ॥

yaḥ sva-dattāṁ parair dattāṁ hareta sura-viprayoḥ vṛttiṁ sa jāyate viḍ-bhug varṣāṇām ayutāyutam

One who seizes back a living or endowment given to a god or a brahmana — whether given by himself or by another — is born as a stool-eating worm for a hundred million years.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.11.27.55)

कर्तुश्च सारथेर्हेतोरनुमोदितुरेव च । कर्मणां भागिनः प्रेत्य भूयो भूयसि तत् फलम् ॥ ५५ ॥

kartuś ca sārather hetor anumoditur eva ca karmaṇāṁ bhāginaḥ pretya bhūyo bhūyasi tat-phalam

The doer, the instigator, the assistant, and even the one who merely approves — all share in the fruit of such an act, and in the next life this fruit grows ever greater for each in turn.