Deity Worship At Temple

Rising early
Srila Prabhupada says, “in the early morning hours (known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up”
The brahma-muhurta is generally accepted as the most auspicious time of the day to perform
spiritual p… Read More »
Arghya
Establish samanya-arghya (general arghya water) before starting the worship. You will use it for
purification by proksana and for offering various upacaras by substitution in the worship of
personali… Read More »
Acamana - Sipping Water for Purification
Always perform acamana before entering the deity room to worship the Lord. Sit on a proper sitting
place (asana). (If there is no asana, kneel with your right knee touching the floor and your left
f… Read More »
Dressing as a Vaisnava
A devotee should not wear dirty or unclean cloth. Used cloth that has not been washed and dried
again is considered unclean. Cloth worn while sleeping, passing urine or stool, or having sex is
unclea… Read More »
Bathing and Dressing
The Main Worship With Sixteen Items Preparation for Worship (purvanga-karma) Required
Paraphernalia To avoid interrupting the worship, make sure the following items are present before
beginning:… Read More »
Waking Deities At Temple
Early-Morning Services (jagarana-seva) Required Paraphernalia Make sure the following items are
present: a small bell on a plate a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water a waterpot with a
spout… Read More »
Clothes and ornaments for deity worship
Towels for Drying The towels for drying the Lord should be pure, soft cotton. Cotton is better than
silk because it is absorbent and can be washed repeatedly. Do not use synthetic clothes. Cotton
fla… Read More »
Offering Arati
Arati Ceremony Every scheduled bhoga offering is followed by an arati. Except for kirtana, offering
arati is the only regular daily function of Deity worship performed publicly. Required Paraph… Read
More »
Putting Deities to Rest
Putting the Lord to Rest (sayana-seva) Required Paraphernalia The following items are required to
put the Lord to rest: a small bell on a plate a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water a
pad… Read More »
Rising early
Srila Prabhupada says, “in the early morning hours (known as brahma-muhurta) one should get
up”

The brahma-muhurta is generally accepted as the most auspicious time of the day to perform
spiritual practices. During this time of day the world is peaceful and the influence of the modes
of passion and ignorance are less thus enabling us to focus more on our spiritual practices. The
brahma-muhurta begins approximately one and a half hours before sunrise. Although this may be
difficult for some devotees, due to pressures of work etc., rising early and regulation are
beneficial for the development of spiritual life. If you cannot rise this early it is still good to rise
as early as possible and at the same time everyday.

In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna says,

yuktahara-viharasya
yukta-cestasya karmasu
yukta-svapnavabodhasya
yogo bhavati duhkha-ha

He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all
material pains by practicing the yoga system.

Leading a regulated life helps us to overcome the influence of the modes of material nature and
thus be situated in a position more conducive to developing transcendental consciousness.

Concerning pratah-smrti, remembrance of the Lord in the morning, in the early morning hours
(known as brahma-muhurta) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Krsna mantra, or
at least ‘Krsna, Krsna, Krsna’. In this way, one should remember Krsna. Some slokas or prayers
should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to
the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Krsna twenty-
four hours daily, or as much as possible When you wake up in the morning, you should chant the
name of the Lord. This helps to clear the consciousness of the influences of sleep or any bad
dreams you may have experienced during the night. You can chant the names of the deities you
are worshiping or the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. In the purport to Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya
24.331 Srila Prabhupada says,

smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo na jatucit sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah

Krsna is the origin of Lord Visnu. He should always be remembered and never forgotten at any
time. All the rules and prohibitions mentioned in the sastras should be the servants of these two
principles. [Padma Purana, from the portion called Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra.]

Bangkit lebih awal

Srila Prabhupada berkata, “ pada dini hari (dikenal sebagai brahma-muhurta) seseorang harus
bangun ”

Brahma-muhurta umumnya diterima sebagai waktu yang paling menguntungkan pada hari itu
untuk melakukan latihan spiritual. Selama masa ini dunia menjadi damai dan pengaruh mode
hasrat dan ketidaktahuan kurang memungkinkan kita untuk lebih fokus pada praktik spiritual
kita. Brahma-muhurta dimulai kira-kira satu setengah jam sebelum matahari terbit. Meskipun ini
mungkin sulit bagi beberapa penyembah, karena tekanan pekerjaan dll., Bangun lebih awal dan
pengaturan bermanfaat untuk pengembangan kehidupan spiritual. Jika Anda tidak dapat bangun
sepagi ini, masih baik untuk bangkit sedini mungkin dan pada waktu yang sama setiap hari.

Dalam Bhagavad-gita, Tuhan Krishna berkata,

yuktahara-viharasya
yukta-cestasya karmasu
yukta-svapnavabodhasya
yogo bhavati duhkha-ha

Dia yang diatur dalam kebiasaan makan, tidur, rekreasi dan bekerja dapat mengurangi semua
rasa sakit materi dengan mempraktikkan sistem yoga.

Memimpin kehidupan yang teratur membantu kita mengatasi pengaruh sifat-sifat alam material
dan karenanya berada pada posisi yang lebih kondusif untuk mengembangkan kesadaran
transendental.

Mengenai pratah-smrti, ingatan akan Tuhan di pagi hari, di dini hari (dikenal sebagai brahma-
muhurta) seseorang harus bangun dan segera mengucapkan mantra Hare Krsna, atau setidaknya
'Krsna, Krsna, Krsna'. Dengan cara ini, seseorang harus mengingat Krsna. Beberapa sloka atau
doa juga harus dinyanyikan. Dengan mengucapkan mantra, seseorang dengan segera menjadi
lebih baik dan transendental terhadap infeksi sifat-sifat material. Sebenarnya seseorang harus
mengucapkan dan mengingat Tuhan Krsna dua puluh empat jam setiap hari, atau sebanyak
mungkin. Ketika Anda bangun di pagi hari, Anda harus mengucapkan nama Tuhan. Ini
membantu membersihkan kesadaran dari pengaruh tidur atau mimpi buruk yang mungkin Anda
alami di malam hari. Anda dapat mengucapkan nama-nama dewa yang Anda sembah atau maha-
mantra Hare Krsna. Dalam kaitannya dengan Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.

smartavyah satatam visnur vismartavyo dan sarat vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah
Krsna adalah asal dari Dewa Visnu.  Ia harus selalu diingat dan tidak pernah dilupakan kapan
pun.  Semua aturan dan larangan yang disebutkan dalam sastra harus menjadi pelayan kedua
prinsip ini. [Padma Purana, dari bagian yang disebut Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra.]
Arghya

Establish samanya-arghya (general

arghya water) before starting the worship. You will use it for purification by proksana and for
offering various upacaras by substitution in the worship of personalities before worshiping the
main Deity. Fresh samanya-arghya should be established at least twice a day.

Place empty panca-patra. Fill it with fresh water. After pouring a few drops of water from the
acamana-patra onto the fingers of your right hand, purify the panca-patra by proksana:

 Chanting om astraya phat, sprinkle water on the panca-patra.

 Over the panca-patra show the cakra-mudra, then galini-mudra, then dhenu-mudra (or
surabhi-mudra).

Invoke the Ganga and other holy rivers by showing the ankusa-mudra and chanting:

gange ca yamune caiva godavari sarasvati

narmade sindho kaveri jale ’smin sannidhim kuru
May water from the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada, Sindhu, and
Kaveri kindly be present.

Now invoke the bija-syllable om into the water, chanting it eight times silently while holding the
bijaksara-mudra over the panca-patra. Then show the matsya-mudra over the panca-patra.
Acamana - Sipping Water for Purification

Always perform acamana before

entering the deity room to worship the Lord.

Sit on a proper sitting place (asana). (If there is no asana, kneel with your right knee touching the
floor and your left foot flat on the floor.)

With an acamana-patra filled with water clean both hands by sprinkling them with water; holding
the acamana spoon in your left hand, pour a few drops into the right palm. While looking at the
water chant the appropriate mantra and then silently sip the water from the base of the right
thumb (the brahma-tirtha).

The procedure for basic acamana consists of the first three steps below. If time and
circumstances permit, you may perform the complete acamana:

 Chant om kesavaya namah and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.
 Chant om narayanaya namah and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.
 Chant om madhavaya namah and sip water from the brahma-tirtha of your right hand.
 Chant om govindaya namah and sprinkle water on your right hand.
 Chant om visnave namah and sprinkle water on your left hand.
 Chant om madhusudanaya namah and touch your right cheek with the fingers of your
right hand.
 Chant om trivikramaya namah and touch your left cheek with the fingers of your right
hand.
 Chant om vamanaya namah and wipe above your upper lip with the base of your right
thumb.
 Chant om sridharaya namah and wipe below your lower lip with the base of your right
thumb.
 Chant om hrsikesaya namah and sprinkle water on both hands.
 Chant om padmanabhaya namah and sprinkle water on your feet.
 Chant om damodaraya namah and sprinkle water on the top of your head.
While chanting the following mantras, perform the hand motions:

 Chant om vasudevaya namah and touch your upper and lower lips with the tips of the
fingers of your right hand.
 Chant om sankarsanaya namah and touch your right nostril with your right thumb and
forefinger.
 Chant om pradyumnaya namah and touch your left nostril with your right thumb and
forefinger.
 Chant om aniruddhaya namah and touch your right eye with your right thumb and ring
finger.
 Chant om purusottamaya namah and touch your left eye with your right thumb and ring
finger.
 Chant om adhoksajaya namah and touch your right ear with your right thumb and
forefinger.
 Chant om nrsimhaya namah and touch your left ear with your right thumb and forefinger.
 Chant om acyutaya namah and touch your navel with your right thumb and little finger.
 Chant om janardanaya namah and touch your heart with the palm of your right hand.
 Chant om upendraya namah and touch your head with all the finger tips of your right
hand.
 Chant om haraye namah and touch your right upper arm with the fingertips of your left
hand.
 Chant om krsnaya namah and touch your left upper arm with the fingertips of your right
hand.

Now chant the following mantra from the Rg Veda while showing the pranama-mudra (palms
together in front of your heart):

(om) tad visnoh paramam padam

sada pasyanti surayah
diviva caksur atatam
tad vipraso vipanyavo
jagrvamsah samindhate
visnor yat paramam padam

Just as those with ordinary vision see the sun’s rays in the sky, so the wise and learned devotees
always see the supreme abode of Lord Visnu. Because those highly praiseworthy and spiritually
awake brahmanas can see that abode, they can also reveal it to others. [Rg Veda Samhita
1.22.20-21]
Dressing as a Vaisnava
A devotee should not wear dirty or unclean cloth. Used cloth that has not been washed and dried
again is considered unclean. Cloth worn while sleeping, passing urine or stool, or having sex is
unclean. Cloth that touches anything impure, such as wine, meat, blood, a dead body, or a
woman in her menstrual period, is also contaminated.

Actually dhoti, kurta and chadar are known all over India, even Muslims wear this kind of dress.
According to the Varna and Ashrama there is dress. The renuniciates sannyasi and brahmacaris
wear only unsown cloth – two pieces, to cover the upper and lower region of the body,
sometimes only one peace to cover the lower part. For deity worship this is also a standard.
There is also babaji-vesha what some vaishnavas wear. Especially at Radhakunda and places like
that. For preaching one can use whatever helps. The main thing is a Vaishnava is always clean
inside and outside. And is dressed with vaishanva qualities

titikshavah karunikah, suhrdah sarva-dehinam

ajata-satravah shantah, sadhavah sadhu-bhushanah

The symptoms of a sadhu (Vaishnava) are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living
entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics
are sublime. (SB 3.25.21)

Karmis change their professions at any moment, but a Krishna conscious person does not change
his profession, for his only profession is to attract the attention of Krishna by chanting the Hare
Krishna mantra and living a very simple life, without following daily changes of fashion. In our
Krishna consciousness movement, fashionable persons are taught to adopt one fashion - the dress
of a Vaishnava with a shaved head and tilaka. They are taught to be always clean in mind, dress
and eating in order to be fixed in Krishna consciousness. What is the use of changing one's dress,
sometimes wearing long hair and a long beard and sometimes dressing otherwise? This is not
good. One should not waste his time in such frivolous activities. One should always be fixed in
Krishna consciousness and take the cure of devotional service with firm determination. (SB
6.5.14)

If a person only externally dresses like a Vaishnava and uses vaishnava-symbols like tilaka,
neckbeads, shaven head or Brahmin thread, but doesn’t behave like a Vaishnava then he or she is
actually not a Vaishnava.

Unfortunately, in this Age of Kali there are many mundane persons in the dress of Vaishnava,
and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described them as disciples of Kali. He says kali-cela. He
indicates that there is another Vaishnava, a pseudo Vaishnava with tilaka on his nose and kanthi
beads around his neck. Such a pseudo Vaishnava associates with money and women and is
jealous of successful Vaishnava. Although passing for a Vaishnava, his only business is earning
money in the dress of a Vaishnava. Bhaktivinoda Thakur therefore says that such a pseudo
Vaishnava is not a Vaishnava at all but a disciple of Kali-yuga. (CC Madhya 1.220)

Even Brahman thread and shaven head is a Vaishnava tradition – its varnashrama. Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati introduced daivi-varnashram, so that the devotees would also wear the
symbols of sannyasa, grihstha and brahmacari and act accrdendly. Actually many Grihasthas at
Lord Caitanyas time and also later had longer hair. But Prabhupada introduced a movement and
culture; therefore he demanded that everyone should shave. He called long hairs – hippie seeds.

Hiranyakashipu advised his assistants: “My dear demons, give complete protection to this boy at
the guru-kula where he is instructed, so that his intelligence will not be further influenced by
Vaishnava who may go there in disguise.”

PURPORT
In our Krishna consciousness movement, the tactic of dressing oneself like an ordinary karmi is
necessary because everyone in the demoniac kingdom is against the Vaishnava teachings.
Krishna consciousness is not at all to the liking of the demons of the present age. As soon as they
see a Vaishnava dressed in saffron garments with beads on his neck and tilaka on his forehead,
they are immediately irritated. They criticize the Vaishnava by sarcastically saying Hare Krishna,
and some people also chant Hare Krishna sincerely. In either case, since Hare Krishna is
absolute, whether one chants it jokingly or sincerely, it will have its effect. The Vaishnava is
pleased when the demons chant Hare Krsna because this shows that the Hare Krishna movement
is taking ground. The greater demons, like Hiranyakashipu, are always prepared to chastise the
Vaishnava, and they try to make arrangements so that Vaishnava will not come to sell their
books and preach Krishna consciousness. Thus what was done by Hiranyakashipu long, long ago
is still being done. That is the way of materialistic life. Demons or materialists do not at all like
the advancement of Krishna consciousness, and they try to hinder it in many ways. Yet the
preachers of Krishna consciousness must go forward -- in their Vaishnava dress or any other
dress -- for the purpose of preaching. Canakya Pandita says that if an honest person deals with a
great cheater, it is necessary for him to become a cheater also, not for the purpose of cheating but
to make his preaching successful. (SB 7.5.7)

A peaceful, equipoised person who is factually advanced in spiritual consciousness does not need
to accept the symbols of a sannyasi, such as the tridanda and kamandalu. According to necessity,
he may sometimes accept those symbols and sometimes reject them.

PURPORT
There are four stages of the renounced order of life - kuticaka, bahudaka, parivrajakacarya and
paramahamsa. Herein, Srimad-Bhagavatam considers the paramahamsas among the sannyasis.
The Mayavadi impersonalist sannyasis cannot attain the paramahamsa stage. … Unless one is in
the paramahamsa stage, he is not eligible to understand the Srimad-Bhagavatam. For
paramahamsas, or sannyasis in the Vaishnava order, preaching is the first duty. To preach, such
sannyasis may accept the symbols of sannyasa, such as the danda and kamandalu, or sometimes
they may not. Generally the Vaishnava sannyasis, being paramahamsas, are automatically called
babajis, and they do not carry a kamandalu or danda. Such a sannyasi is free to accept or reject
the marks of sannyasa. His only thought is "Where is there an opportunity to spread Krishna
consciousness?" Sometimes the Krishna consciousness movement sends its representative
sannyasis to foreign countries where the danda and kamandalu are not very much appreciated.
We send our preachers in ordinary dress to introduce our books and philosophy. Our only
concern is to attract people to Krishna consciousness. We may do this in the dress of sannyasis or
in the regular dress of gentlemen. Our only concern is to spread interest in Krishna
consciousness. (SB 7.13.9)

sarvabhauma-upadeshe chadi' raja-vesha

ekala vaishnava-veshe karila pravesha

Following Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya's instructions, the King had given up his royal dress. He
now entered the garden in the dress of a Vaishnava. (dress of Vaishnava means that he wore the
dress of a pujari).

PURPORT
Sometimes members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - especially in the
Western countries - find it difficult to approach people to distribute books because people are
unfamiliar with the traditional saffron robes of the devotees. The devotees have therefore
inquired whether they can wear European and American dress before the general public. From
the instructions given to King Prataparudra by Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, we can understand that
we may change our dress in any way to facilitate our service. When our members change their
dress to meet the public or to introduce our books, they are not breaking the devotional
principles. The real principle is to spread the Krishna consciousness movement, and if one has to
change into regular Western dress for this purpose, there should be no objection. (CC Madhya
14.5)

Hamsaduta: Someone has said that the dhoti, the dhoti that the brahmacaris wear, is the dress
that's worn in Vaikuntha. Is that correct?
Prabhupada: Just see Vishnu. He has no coat-pant. Or Krishna, He has no dress – like that. He is
also bare upper body. Only Radharani is covered. In India also, still, the covering of the body is
only for woman, but men, this, practically one dhoti is sufficient. (SP Room Conversation - April
11, 1969, New York)

While worshiping the deity, you should not wear the following types of cloth: brightly-colored
cloth (for men), damp cloth, cloth that is too long or too short to be worn properly, stitched or
sewn cloth (for men), torn cloth, oil or dirt stained cloth, soiled cloth, burnt cloth, or cloth
chewed by animals or insects. However, you may wear silk many times before washing it,
provided it has not contacted anything impure or been worn in impure places.

Unbleached, raw matka (ahimsa) silk is the best for puja. Sheep’s wool is said to be always pure,
but still, you should not wear ordinary woolen cloth when worshiping the deity, because wool
particles may fall on the deity’s paraphernalia. However, you may wear wool cloth if it is very
fine, “nonshedding” wool, in which case you should reserve these items only for puja. Synthetic
cloth should not be worn when worshiping the deity.
Bathing & Dressing
The Main Worship With Sixteen Items
Preparation for Worship (purvanga-karma)

Required Paraphernalia

To avoid interrupting the worship, make sure the following items are presentbefore

beginning:

1. a small bell on a plate

2. a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water
3. a waterpot with a spout and a cover, filled with water

4. a visarjaniya-patra (throw-out pot)

5. containers for padya, arghya, acamana, and madhu-parka

6. tailam (fragrant oil)

7. (if polishing metal Deities) unblanched almond paste or powdered gopi-candana

mixed with lemon juice; either cotton-wool or a soft cloth for polishing; a soft cloth for

wiping off the oil

8. a water-conch on a stand
9. a snana-patra (bathing receptacle)

10. a receptacle for caranamrta

11. a towel and a gamcha (cloth worn prior to dressing) for each Deity

12. clothing, underclothing, and pins

13. ornaments and adhesive material (beeswax or “blutack”)

14. gopi-candana (or regular candana) and kunkuma and a tulasi twig, or a small gold or

silver stick, or a paintbrush—for painting the Deities

15. gandha (sandalwood paste)

16. flowers and flower garlands

17. tulasi leaves and manjaris (buds)

18. incense and ghee or camphor lamps (one set each for worship of your spiritual

master, Lord Caitanya, and the main Deities)

19. naivedya, consisting of fruits and/or sweets (one plate each for worshiping your

spiritual master, Lord Caitanya, and the main Deities)

20. a picture of your spiritual master and a receptacle for offerings to him

21. a picture of Lord Caitanya (or the Panca-tattva) if you are worshiping Radha-Krsna

22. this manual, or a written prayoga (procedure) based on this manual, if required

23. a lighter, or a standing lamp with a burning wick.

Outside the Deity room, perform acamana. Offer obeisances to your spiritual master.

Establishing a Place for Worship (asana-sthapana)

In the Deity room, clean the area where you will do the worship, wash your hands, place

the asana in position for performing the worship, and, while kneeling, with pranama-mudra

(joined palms) Chant:

prthvi tvaya dhrta loka devi tvam visnuna dhrtatvam ca dharaya mam nityam pavitram

casanam kuru

O Mother Earth, O goddess, you support all the world’s people, and Lord Visnu

sustains you; please be merciful today and support me as I sit to worship the Lord.

Thinking that your spiritual master is sitting on an asana to perform the worship, sit on your

own asana.

Arranging the Paraphernalia for Worship (patra-sthapana)

Arrange the items in such a way that you can easily reach them without touching offered to

unoffered items.

Place the bell (on a plate) to your left, and place the bathing conch on a stand so you can

easily lift and replace it several times.

The waterpot, flowers, candana, and tulasi leaves should be within easy reach.

The throw-out pot (visarjaniya-patra) may be used for offered acamana and arghya, or you

may pour these liquids into the bathing receptacle (snana-patra) if it is a receptacle which

has a drain. You may use a second visarjaniya-patra for offered flower petals, cotton swabs,

and so on.

Bathing towels should be placed on a tray, table or the altar, not on your lap or directly on

the floor.

Requesting the Spiritual Master’s and Previous Acaryas’ Blessings (guru-

pankti-namaskara)

Draw the attention of your spiritual master by placing flowers before him (puspanjali) while

chanting esa puspanjalih and the guru-mula-mantra. Then, meditating on your spiritual

master’s service to the previous acaryas, show the pranama-mudra (joined palms), And

chant:

sri-guro paramananda premananda phala-pradavrajananda-pradananda-sevayam mam

niyojaya

My dear spiritual master, who give the fruit of the highest bliss—the bliss of love

of Godhead—please engage me in the blissful service of Sri Krsna, who bestows

bliss upon the land of Vraja.

jaya sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityanandasri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-

vrnda

All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita

Acarya, Sri Gadadhara, Sri Srivasa, and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare harehare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

Purifying the Hands (kara-suddhi)

Wash your hands with water from the waterpot, or smear them lightly with candana.
Purifying the Flowers (puspa-suddhi)

Perform proksana by sprinkling the flowers with samanya-arghya water while chantingom

astraya phat.

Show the cakra- and dhenu-mudras over the flowers.

While touching the flowers with the fingers of your right hand, held in bijaksara-mudra,

chant:

om puspe puspe maha-puspe su-puspe puspa-sambhavepuspe cayavakirne ca hum phat

svaha

O flowers, O great and auspicious flowers who have appeared from a budding

creeper, may you be purified.

Then show the matsya-mudra over the flowers.

Purifying the Lord’s Paraphernalia (dravya-suddhi)

Do proksana by sprinkling all the paraphernalia lightly with samanya-arghya water while

chanting om astraya phat.

Show the cakra- and dhenu-mudras over the paraphernalia.

Chant the klim bija eight times silently while holding bijaksara-mudra over the articles.

Show the matsya-mudra over the paraphernalia.

Purifying Oneself by Sprinkling Water (atma-suddhi)

Do proksana by sprinkling yourself lightly with samanya-arghya water while chanting the

gopala-mantra (the sixth guru-given mantra) once.

Purifying the Bodily Elements by Identifying Oneself as the Eternal Servant of the Servant of

Lord Krsna (bhuta-suddhi )

Recite the following prayers, meditating on their meaning:

I am by nature the eternal servant of Krsna. But because of my bad fortune, I have

been inimical toward Him from time immemorial, and thus I have identified myself

with my body and continuously wandered in the cycle of birth and death in the

material world, suffering the burning threefold miseries. Now, as a result of some

unimaginable good fortune, my spiritual master’s mercy has enabled me to know

that I am Krsna’s eternal servant, an infinitesimal spiritual being completely apart

from the gross and subtle body. And so by the order of my spiritual master I have

obtained the good fortune of serving his lotus feet and, following in his footsteps,

the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara [or

the names of the Deities one is worshiping].

naham vipro na ca nara-patir napi vaisyo na sudro naham varni na ca grha-patir no vana-

stho yatir vakintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdhergopi-bhartuh pada-

kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah

I am not a brahmana, I am not a ksatriya, I am not a vaisya or a sudra. Nor am I a

brahmacari, a householder, a vanaprastha, or a sannyasi. I identify myself only as

the servant of the servant of the servant of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, the

maintainer of the gopis. He is like an ocean of nectar, and He is the cause of

universal transcendental bliss. He is always existing with brilliance.[Padyavali 74,

quoted in the Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 13.80]

Preliminary WorshipWorshiping the Lord’s Bell (ghanta-puja)

While offering the bell a flower petal dipped in candana, chant:ete gandha-puspe om jaya-

dhvani-mantra-matah svaha

Now affix the flower petal to the body of the bell with the candana. Then ring the bell briefly

with your left hand and replace it on the plate, all the while thinking of the bell as a servant

of the Lord. Then chant:

sarva-vadya-mayi ghante deva-devasya vallabhetvam vina naiva sarvesam subham bhavati

sobhane
O beautiful bell so dear to Sri Krsna, the God of gods, you embody the sweet sound

of all music. Without you there is no auspiciousness for anyone.

Worshiping the Lord’s Bathing Conch (sankha-puja)

While offering flowers and candana to the Lord’s bathing conch, Chant:ete gandha-puspe

om hum hum hum namah maha-sankhaya svaha

Worshiping the Spiritual Master (guru-puja)

Perform worship of your spiritual master before worshiping the main Deity. If you are

worshiping your spiritual master in his picture, you may offer all the items by substituting

flower petals dipped in candana and/or samanya-arghya water from the panca-patra. You

may offer these items into a receptacle placed in front of the picture. If you are worshiping

a murti (three-dimensional form) of your spiritual master, you should offer actual items as

far as possible. If the murti is not bathable, you may bathe him by meditation while pouring

water from the bathing conch into his snana-patra. If you are worshiping the parama-guru

or other previous spiritual masters, you may follow the same procedure, substituting the

appropriate mula-mantra and pranama-mantra.

Meditation on the form of the Spiritual Master (dhyana)

First meditate on the place where your spiritual master is situated:

At the Yogapitha in Sri Mayapur, in the spiritual abode of Navadvipa, Lord

Gaurasundara sits on a jeweled throne. On His right is Lord Nityananda, on His left

Sri Gadadhara. In front, with joined palms, are Sri Advaita and Srivasa Thakura,

who holds an umbrella over Lord Caitanya’s head. On a jeweled platform below

Lord Gauranga’s throne, my spiritual master sits.

While chanting the following mantra, meditate on your spiritual master’s form, and

remember his spiritual qualities and activities:

pratah sriman-navadvipe dvi-netram dvi-bhujam gurumvarabhaya-pradam santam smaret

tan-nama-purvakam
 In the morning, one should remember the spiritual master as being situated in Sri

Navadvipa, having two eyes and two arms, as being peaceful, and as bestowing all

benediction and fearlessness upon chanting his name.

Then chant the prema-dhvani for your spiritual master (jaya om visnupada [name of your

spiritual master] ki jaya).

Worship of the Spiritual Master in the Mind (manasa-puja)

Meditate on offering sixteen, ten, or five upacaras to your spiritual master.

Worship of the Spiritual Master with Articles (bahya-puja)

While ringing the bell with your left hand, offer sixteen upacaras to your spiritual master,

using flower petals or samanya-arghya water from the panca-patra for each item, and then

discard them into a receptacle placed in front of his picture. After offering each item, purify

your right hand with a few drops of water from the panca-patra:

1. Chant idam asanam and the guru-mula-mantra, and with a hand gesture offer an

asana for your spiritual master to sit on.

2. Chant svagatam su-svagatam and the guru-mula-mantra, and with joined palms

welcome your spiritual master and see to his comfort.

3. Chant etat padyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer water for washing your

spiritual master’s feet.

4. Chant idam arghyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer arghya to your spiritual

master in his hands so he can sprinkle it over his head.

5. Chant idam acamaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer your spiritual master

water for sipping.

6. Chant esa madhuparkah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer your spiritual master

a cup of madhuparka.

7. Chant idam punar-acamaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and again offer water for

sipping.

8. Chant idam snaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and bathe your spiritual master.

9. Chant idam vastram and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer cloth to your spiritual

master and dress him.

10. Chant imani abharanani and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer paraphernalia used by

your spiritual master, such as eye-glasses or a sannyasa-danda.

11. Chant esa gandha and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer gandha to your spiritual

master’s lotus feet, using a flower petal.

12. Chant etani puspani and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer flowers with candana to

your spiritual master’s lotus feet. You may then put tulasi leaves in the right hand of

your spiritual master for him to offer to the Lord. At this time you may also offer a flower

garland.

13. Chant esa dhupah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer incense.

14. Chant esa dipah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer a lamp.

15. Chant idam naivedyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer maha-prasada to your

spiritual master, followed by acamana (water for sipping).

16. Chant idam sarvam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer flowers to the lotus feet of

your spiritual master; these flowers represent whatever additional items might be

pleasing to him.

17. Offer respects, glorification and obeisances (pranama): Chant the guru-mula-mantra

and guru-gayatri (the second and third guru-given mantras) silently ten times each.

Guru-stuti

Offer glorification with the following verse:

tvam gopika vrsaraves tanayantike ’sisevadhikarini guro nija-pada-padmedasyam pradaya

kuru mam vraja-kanane sri-radhanghri-sevana-rase sukhinim sukhabdhau

O beloved spiritual master, you are always in the presence of the cowherd girl

Radha, the daughter of King Vrsabhanu. Please award me service at your lotus

feet, which are the proprietors of devotional service. Please place me in the ocean

of joy by bestowing upon me happiness in the mellows of service at the lotus feet

of Sri Radha in the groves of Vraja-dhama.

Guru-pranama

Offer obeisances with the following verses:

 om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakayacaksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave

namah

I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, who has opened my

eyes, which were blinded by the darkness of ignorance, with the torchlight of

knowledge.

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-talesrimate [spiritual master’s name] iti

namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto [your spiritual master’s name], who is very

dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

jaya sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityanandasri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-

vrnda

All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita

Acarya, Sri Gadadhara, Sri Srivasa, and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare harehare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

(See the Supplement, pages 107-109 for more prayers that may be offered in guru-puja.)

Worshiping Lord Caitanya (gauranga-puja)

If your worship of Lord Caitanya is preliminary to Radha-Krsna worship, you may worship a

picture of Lord Caitanya in a simple way, as in the procedure described below. If you are

worshiping Gaura-Nitai Deities, however, you should worship Them with actual upacaras as

far as possible. When worshiping Gaura-Nitai, offer each item to Lord Caitanya with the

gaura-mula-mantra and to Lord Nityananda with His mula-mantra. See the Supplement,

pages 123 & 111 for the dhyana-mantra and pranama-mantra for

Nityananda Prabhu.

Meditation on Navadvipa-dhama (navadvipa-dhyana)

Chant the following verse and meditate on Navadvipa-dhama, the transcendental place of

the Lord’s pastimes:

svardhunyas caru-tire sphuritam ati-brhat-kurma-prsthabha-gatramramyaramavrtam san-

mani-kanaka-maha-sadma-sanghaih paritamnityam pratyalayodyat-pranaya-bhara-lasat-

krsna-sankirtanadhyamsri-vrndatavy-abhinnam tri-jagad-anupamam sri-navadvipam ide

I praise the holy dhama of Navadvipa. Being entirely nondifferent from Sri

Vrndavana, it is completely different from the material world, consisting of the

three planetary systems. Situated on the beautiful banks of the Ganges, Navadvipa

is covered by lovely groves and gardens, and it appears like the back of a gigantic

turtle. That holy dhama is filled with many great palatial houses made of gold and

bedecked with brilliant jewels, and in those houses devotees are always

performing krsna-sankirtana in the mellow of ecstatic love.

Meditation on the Form of Lord Caitanya (gauranga-dhyana)

Chant the following verse and meditate on the transcendental form of Lord Caitanya amidst

His eternal associates:

sriman-mauktika-dama-baddha-cikuram su-smera-candrananamsri-khandaguru-caru-citra-

vasanam srag-divya-bhusancitamnrtyavesa-rasanumoda-madhuram kandarpa-vesojjvalam

caitanyam kanaka-dyutim nija-janaih samsevyamanam bhaje

I worship Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is being served by all His devotees and

associates, whose hair is bound with strings of pearls, and whose moonlike face

bears the nectar of His gentle smile. His beautiful golden body is adorned with

lovely garments, anointed with sandalwood and aguru pulp, and bedecked with

garlands and various glistening ornaments. He is extremely charming, absorbed as

He is in enjoying the sweet mellows of dancing, and His dress is more splendid

than even Cupid’s.

Mental Worship of Lord Caitanya (manasa-puja)

Meditate on offering Lord Caitanya sixteen, ten, or five upacaras.Worship of Lord Caitanya

with Articles (bahya-puja)While ringing the bell with your left hand, offer the sixteen

upacaras to Lord Caitanya, using flower petals or samanya-arghya water from the panca-

patra for each item, and then discard them into a receptacle placed in front of Lord
Caitanya’s picture.After offering each item, purify your right hand with a few drops of water

from the panca-patra:

1. Chant idam asanam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer an asana for Lord

Caitanya to sit on. (Escort Him to a seat with a gesture of your hands.)

2. Chant svagatam su-svagatam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and with joined palms

welcome Lord Caitanya and see to His comfort.

3. Chant etat padyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer water for washing Lord

Caitanya’s lotus feet.

4. Chant idam arghyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer the arghya preparation

to Lord Caitanya in His hands so He can sprinkle it over his head.

5. Chant idam acamaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer Lord Caitanya water

for sipping.

6. Chant esa madhuparkah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer Lord Caitanya a cup

of madhuparka.

7. Chant idam punar-acamaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and again offer water

for sipping.

8. Chant idam snaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and bathe Lord Caitanya.

9. Chant idam vastram and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer cloth to Lord Caitanya

and dress Him.

10. Chant imani abharanani and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer ornaments to Lord

Caitanya.

11. Chant esa gandhah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer gandha to Lord Caitanya’s

lotus feet.

12. Chant etani puspani and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer flowers with candana to

Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet. Then offer tulasi leaves to His lotus feet. At this time you may

also offer a flower garland.

13. Chant esa dhupah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer incense to Lord Caitanya.

14. Chant esa dipah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer a lamp to Lord Caitanya.

15. Chant idam naivedyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer bhoga to Lord

Caitanya, followed by acamana.

16. Chant idam sarvam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer flowers to Lord Caitanya;

these represent whatever additional items might be pleasing to Him.

17. Offer respects, glorification and obeisances (pranama): Chant the gaura-mula-

mantra and the gaura-gayatri (the fourth and fifth guru-given mantras) silently ten times

each.

Then chant the following verses:

anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalausamarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-

sriyamharih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitahsada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vah

sacinandanah

May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally

situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of

molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow

what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of

devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love. [Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 1.4]

jaya sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityanandasri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-

vrnda

All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita

Acarya, Sri Gadadhara, Sri Srivasa, and all the devotees of Lord Caitanya.

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare harehare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

(See the Supplement, page 109 for more prayers that may be offered in Gauranga-puja.)

Worship of the Main Deity / Radha-Krsna Puja

The following procedure is for worship of Radha-Krsna together. If you are worshiping some

other form(s) of the Lord, follow the same procedure but substitute His (Their) mula-

mantra(s) after naming the upacara; also substitute the appropriate dhyana- and pranama-

mantras for those Deities. (See “Additional Verses” in the Supplement, pages 123-126)
Meditation and Worship of Radha-Krsna in the MindMeditation on Vrndavana-
dhama (vrndavana-dhyana)

Meditate on Vrndavana while chanting the following verses:

tato vrndavanam dhyayet paramananda-vardhanamsarvartu-kusumopetam patatri-gana-

naditambhramad-bhramara-jhankara-mukhari-krta-din-mukhamkalindi-jala-kallola-sangi-

maruta-sevitamnana-puspa-lata-baddha-vrksa-sandais ca manditamkamalotpala-kahlara-

dhuli-dhusaritantaramtan-madhye ratna-bhumim ca suryayuta-sama-prabhamtatra kalpa-

tarudyanam niyatam prema-varsinammanikya-sikharalambi tan-madhye mani-mandapam

nana-ratna-ganais citram sarvartu-suvirajitamnana-ratna-lasac-citra-vitanair upasobhitam

ratna-torana-gopura-manikyacchadananvitamkoti-surya-samabhasam vimuktam sat-

tarangakaihtan-madhye ratna-khacitam svarna-simhasanam mahatkamalotpala-kahlara-

dhuli-dhusaritantaram

Vrndavana-dhama is an abode of ever-increasing joy. In that transcendental land

grow flowers and fruits of all seasons, and various birds fill it with sweet sounds.

Cool breezes and the Yamuna’s waters enhance the atmosphere, and all directions

resound with the humming of bumblebees. Vrndavana is decorated with wish-

fulfilling trees embraced by many varieties of flower-bearing creepers, and its

divine beauty is ornamented with the pollen of red, blue, and white lotuses. The

ground is made of jewels that shine with the brilliance of ten million suns rising in

the sky at once. On that ground is a garden of desire trees forever showering

divine love, and in that garden sits a bejeweled temple with a pinnacle of rubies.

Bedecked as it is with various jewels, that temple shines brilliantly in every

season. It is beautified with brightly colored canopies, glittering with various

gems, and endowed with coverings decorated with rubies, as well as gateways

and arches inlaid with gems. That temple shines with the splendor of millions of

suns and is eternally free from the six waves of material miseries. Within it sits a

great, golden, gem-inlaid throne. In this way one should meditate on Sri

Vrndavana-dhama, the divine realm of the Supreme Lord. [Gautamiya-tantra 4]

Meditation on the Form of Radha-Krsna (radha-krsna-dhyana)

Chant the following verse and meditate on Radha and Krsna seated on a throne in

Vrndavana:

divyad-vrndaranya-kalpa-drumadhahsrimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthausri-sri-radha-srila-

govinda-devaupresthalibhih sevyamanau smarami

In a temple of jewels in Vrndavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-

Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent

throne. I meditate upon Them. [Cc. Adi 1.16]

Mental Worship of Radha-Krsna (manasa-puja)

Meditate on offering Radha-Krsna sixteen upacaras.

Establishing Visesa-arghya (visesa-arghya-sthapana)

Set the conch in place on its stand and fill it with fresh water from a waterpot with a spout.

After pouring a few drops of water from the waterpot onto the fingers of your right hand,

purify the conch by proksana:Chant om astraya phat and sprinkle water on the conch.

Over the conch show the cakra-mudra, then the galini-mudra, then the dhenu- or surabhi-

mudra.

Invoke the Ganga and other holy rivers by showing the ankusa-mudra and chanting:

gange ca yamune caiva godavari sarasvatinarmade sindho kaveri jale ’smin sannidhim kuru

May water from the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Sarasvati, Narmada,

Sindhu, and Kaveri kindly be present.

Then invoke the mula-mantra or Gayatri of the main Deity into the water, chanting it eight

times while holding the bijaksara-mudra over the conch. Then show the matsya-mudra.

Worshiping the Deity in the visesa-arghya

Chant ete gandha-puspe and the mula-mantra for the main Deity, and offer flower petals

and candana to the Lord in the visesa-arghya.(Alternative: Establish and worship the
 visesa-arghya in a waterpot and then pour it into the conch for bathing and into the vessels

for padya, arghya, and acamana. )

Then pour some of the visesa-arghya water from the conch into the panca-patra, thus

transforming the remaining samanya-arghya into visesa-arghya.

Finally, from the panca-patra, with the spoon pour some visesa-arghya water into your right

hand and sprinkle it over yourself and the paraphernalia while chanting the mula-mantra of

the main Deity you are worshiping.

Worship of the Lord’s Seat (pitha-puja)

Using candana, draw a lotus-shaped mandala with eight petals in the snana-patra.

Write the kama-bija (klim) in the center of the mandala.

Meditating on the holy dhama and your spiritual master, offer flower petals dipped in

candana to the pitha.

Worship of Radha-Krsna with Articles (bahya-puja)

(At this time you may optionally show the five mudras dear to Krsna, namely srivatsa,

kaustubha, bilva, vanamala and venu. See Supplement, pages 166 &

174 for explanations.)Offer each item first to Krsna, then to Srimati Radharani.

Chant esa puspanjalih and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer flower petals to Their

Lordships’ lotus feet.

1. Asana

 ime paduke and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer shoes to Their Lordships.
 idam asanam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer an asana for Their
Lordships. Escort Them to a seat with a gesture of your hands.

2. Svagata

 svagatam su-svagatam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and with joined palms

welcome Their Lordships and see to Their comfort.

3. Padya
 etat padyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer padya water to wash Their
Lordships’ lotus feet.

4. Arghya

 idam arghyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer arghya to Their

Lordships in Their hands so that They can sprinkle it over Their heads.

5. Acamana

 idam acamaniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships

water for sipping.

6. Madhuparka

 esa madhuparkah and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer cups of madhuparka

to Their Lordships.

7. Punar-acamana

 idam punar-acamaniya and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and again offer water for
sipping.

8. Snana

 ime paduke and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer shoes to Their Lordships
and escort Them to Their bathing place, the snana-patra.
 idam sugandha-tailam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and massage Their
Lordships with fragrant oil.If the Deities are metal, polish Them with gopi-candana paste or
almond paste, first rubbing it all over Their bodies with a soft cloth (avoiding the eyes and
painted areas), and then wiping it off with a soft cloth.
 idam snaniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and bathe Their Lordships by
pouring water from the conch (filling it at least three times with water) while ringing the bell
and chanting the Govinda prayers from the Brahma-samhita and other appropriate prayers.
(If the Deities are not waterproof, perform the snana by darpana-snaniya-dhyana: hold a
mirror (or highly polished silver plate) so that the Deities are reflected in it, and pour water
on or in front of the mirror while meditating on directly bathing Them.)

cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantamlaksmi-

sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanamgovindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the first progenitor, who is tending cows

yielding all desires among abodes built with spiritual gems and surrounded by
 millions of desire trees. He is always served with great reverence and affection by

hundreds of thousands of laksmis, or gopis.

venum kvanantam aravinda-dalayataksambarhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam

kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-visesa-sobhamgovindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is adept at playing on His flute, who

has eyes like the petals of a blooming lotus, whose head is bedecked with a

peacock feather, who has a figure of beauty tinged with the hue of blue clouds,

and whose unique loveliness is charming millions of Cupids.

 idam anga-vastram and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and dry Their Lordships with
soft cloths.

9. Vastra

 idam vastram and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer fresh clothing to Their
Lordships.
 idam upavitam and the krsna-mula-mantra;idam acamaniyam and the krsna-mula-
mantra;idam tilakam and the krsna-mula-mantra.(When offering tilaka you may also chant
the names of Visnu, as when applying tilaka on yourself: om kesavaya namah for the
forehead, etc.)
 idam kunkumam and mark Srimati Radharani’s forehead with kunkuma.
 idam acamaniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships
water for sipping.

10. Abharana

 imani abharanani and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships

ornaments and decorate Them.
 idam kankanam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra and comb, arrange, and decorate
Their hair. You may offer garlands either at this time or after offering flowers (see below).

11. Gandha

 esa gandhah and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and apply candana mixed with
scents, according to season, to Their Lordships’ lotus feet, hands and head.

12. Puspa

 etani puspani and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer fragrant flowers or flower
petals dipped in candana to Their Lordships’ lotus feet while ringing a bell. You may offer
additional flowers for decoration at this time.
 etat tulasi-patram (for one leaf) or etani tulasi-patrani (for several leaves) and the
krsna-mula-mantra, and offer tulasi leaves and manjaris with candana to Krsna’s lotus feet.
 imani malyani and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer flower garlands to Their
Lordships. (Alternatively, you may offer garlands when offering the ornaments, or after
offering naivedya.)

13. Dhupa

 esa dhupah and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer incense to Their Lordships
while ringing the bell.

14. Dipa

 esa dipah and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer a ghee or camphor lamp to
Their Lordships while ringing a bell.

15. Naivedya (You may alternatively offer naivedya with the more elaborate procedure

described in the Supplement)

 etat padyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer padya water to wash Their
Lordships’ lotus feet.
 idam acamaniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships
acamana.
 idam naivedyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships fruit
and/or sweets.
 idam paniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships drinking
water.

Begging to assist your spiritual master in his service, and begging the blessings of Lord

Caitanya and Lord Krsna, chant the following prayers three times each while ringing the

bell:

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-talesrimate [spiritual master’s name] iti

namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto [spiritual master’s name], who is very dear

to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

Chant the pranama prayers to Srila Prabhupada three times each, begging permission to

assist him in serving the Deities:

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-talesrimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

 I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarinenirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati

Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and

delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya tekrsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise

namah

O most munificent incarnation! You are Krsna Himself appearing as Sri Krsna

Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani,

and You are widely distributing pure love of Krsna. We offer our respectful

obeisances unto You.

namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya cajagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya namo

namah

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Krsna, who is the worshipable

Deity for all brahminical men, who is the well-wisher of cows and brahmanas, and

who is always benefiting the whole world. I offer my repeated obeisances to the

Personality of Godhead, known as Krsna and Govinda.

 idam hasta-mukha-praksalanam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer water

for cleaning hands and face.
 etat padyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra and idam acamaniyam and the
radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships padya water and water for sipping.
 imani malyani and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships flower
garlands (if not offered previously).
 idam mukha-vasam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships
spices for chewing.
 idam tambulam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships
betelnuts.
 idam sarvam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer flowers to Their Lordships’
lotus feet. These flowers represent whatever additional items might be pleasing to Them.

16. Pranama
Offer respects, glorification and obeisances:

Silent Chanting of Mantras (mantra-japa)

Silently chant the gopala-mantra and the kama-gayatri-mantra ten times each.If time

allows, you may worship the Lord’s paraphernalia and associates with flowers and

sandalwood paste, offer maha-prasada to them, and offer additional paraphernalia to

Radha-Krsna:

Worshiping the Lord’s Personal Paraphernalia (upanga-puja)

Chant ete gandha-puspe om sri-mukha-venave namah and offer gandha-puspa (flowers

dipped in candana) to the Lord’s flute, placing the flowers at Krsna’s lotus feet.

Chant ete gandha-puspe om vaksasi vana-malayai namah and offer gandha-puspa to the

Lord’s flower garland, resting on His chest. Then place the flowers at His lotus feet.

Chant ete gandha-puspe om daksa-stanorddhe srivatsaya namah and offer gandha-puspa to

the Lord’s Srivatsa mark, on the right side of His chest. Then place the flowers at His lotus

feet.

Chant ete gandha-puspe om savya-stanorddhe kaustubhaya namah and offer gandha-puspa

to the Lord’s Kaustubha gem, on the left side of His chest. Then place the flowers at His

lotus feet.

Worshiping Radha-Krsna’s Associates (avarana-puja)

Chant ete gandha-puspe sri-lalitadi-sakhibhyo namah and offer gandha-puspa to the sakhis,

beginning with Lalita-devi. If no murtis of the sakhis are present, place the flower petals

just to the left and right of Radha-Krsna.

Chant ete gandha-puspe nanda-yasodadibhyo namah and offer gandha-puspa to the Lord’s

elders, beginning with Nanda and Yasoda. Place the flower petals next to Krsna.

To worship the sakhas, beginning with Subala, chant ete gandha-puspe sri-subaladi-

mitrebhyo namah and offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower petals next to Krsna.
To worship the calves, cows, bulls, forests, forest animals, and birds of Vrndavana, chant

ete gandha-puspe vatsa-go-vrsabha-vanya-mrga-paksibhyo namah and offer gandha-

puspa. Place the flower petals next to Radha and Krsna.

To worship all the residents of Vrndavana, chant ete gandha-puspe om sarva-vrajavasibhyo

namah and offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower petals next to Radha and Krsna.

To worship the demigods, beginning with Brahma, chant ete gandha-puspe brahmadi-

devebhyo namah and offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower petals next to Radha and Krsna.

To worship all the Vaisnavas, chant ete gandha-puspe om sarva-vaisnavebhyo namah and

offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower petals next to Radha and Krsna.

To worship all the Vaisnavis, chant ete gandha-puspe om sarva-vaisnavibhyo namahand

offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower petals next to Radha and Krsna.

Offering Maha-prasada

Now offer the maha-prasada to the Lord’s associates as follows:

Briefly holding the Deities’ naivedya-prasada and some nirmalya before the picture or murti

of your spiritual master, chant idam maha-prasadam nirmalyadikam and the guru-mula-

mantra, and offer naivedya-prasada (offered food) and nirmalya (offered flowers, etc.) to

him.

Briefly holding the Deities’ naivedya-prasada and some nirmalya before the picture or murti

of Lord Caitanya, chant idam maha-prasadam nirmalyadikam and the gaura-mula-mantra,

and offer naivedya-prasada and nirmalya to Him.

Meditating on the associates of Krsna in Vrndavana as being present, chant idam maha-

prasadam nirmalyadikam om sarva-vrajavasibhyo namah and offer Radha’s and Krsna’s

naivedya-prasada and nirmalya to them.

Chant idam maha-prasadam nirmalyadikam om sarva-vaisnavebhyo namah and offer

naivedya-prasada and nirmalya to all the Vaisnavas.

Offering Additional Paraphernalia

(Alternatively, you may do this after the darsana-arati, as well as performing stuti, karma-

samarpana, atma-samarpana, and aparadha-sodhana.)

Chant esa puspanjalih and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and approach the Deities by

offering flower petals to Their lotus feet.

Chant imani abharanani and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra and ime malye and the radha-

krsna-mula-mantra, and offer additional ornaments and flower garlands.

Chant esa gandhah and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and draw designs on Their Lordships

with candana, using a small paintbrush or silver stick.

At this time you may, in meditation, offer a canopy, umbrella, flags, and paduka (shoes)

while taking Their Lordships to a mandapa (a special covered platform or area for receiving

honored guests).

Prayers to Radha-Krsna (stuti)

Padya-pancaka

samsara-sagaran natha putra-mitra-grhanganatgoptarau me yuvam eva prapanna-bhaya-

bhanjanau

O Radha-Krsna, You are my protectors from the ocean of material existence, which

is filled with sons, friends, household, and land. Therefore You are known as the

destroyers of fear for those surrendered unto You.

yo ’ham mamasti yat kincid iha loke paratra catat sarvam bhavato ’dyaiva caranesu

samarpitam

O Your Lordships, myself and whatever little bit is mine in this world and in the

next—all this I now offer unto Your lotus feet.

aham apy aparadhanam alayas tyakta-sadhanahagatis ca tato nathau bhavantau me para

gatih
 O Your Lordships, I am certainly the abode of many offenses and am completely

devoid of any devotional practices. Nor do I have any resort or shelter. Therefore,

I regard You as my ultimate goal.

tavasmi radhika-natha karmana manasa girakrsna-kante tavaivasmi yuvam eva gatir mama

saranam vam prapanno ’smi karuna-nikarakarauprasadam kuru dasyam bho mayi duste

’paradhini

I am Yours, O Lord of Srimati Radharani, as are my actions, mind, and words. O

Srimati Radharani, lover of Sri Krsna, I belong to You alone. O Radha and Krsna, O

ocean of mercy, You are my only shelter, and thus I take shelter of You. Although

I am such a fallen offender, please be merciful to me and make me Your servant.

Vijnapti-pancaka

mat-samo nasti papatma naparadhi ca kascanaparihare ’pi lajja me kim bruve purusottama

yuvatinam yatha yuni yunam ca yuvatau yathamano ’bhiramate tadvan mano me ramatam

tvayi

O Purusottama, no sinner or offender is as bad as I am. How can I describe my

shame? Just as the minds of young ladies take pleasure in a young man, and the

minds of young men take pleasure in a young woman, kindly let my mind take

pleasure in You alone.

bhumau skhalita-padanam bhumir evavalambanamtvayi jataparadhanam tvam eva

saranam prabho

Just as the ground is the only support for those whose feet have slipped, You

alone are the only shelter for those who have offended You.

govinda-vallabhe radhe prarthaye tvam aham sadatvadiyam iti janatu govindo mam tvaya

saha

O Srimati Radharani, beloved of Lord Govinda, this is my request: may You and

Lord Govinda consider me one of Your assistants.

radhe vrndavanadhise karunamrta-vahinikrpaya nija-padabja-dasyam mahyam pradiyatam

O Srimati Radharani, O queen of Vrndavana, You are a river flowing with the

nectar of mercy. Please be kind to me and give me a little service at Your lotus

feet.

Offering One’s Activities to the Lord (karma-samarpana)

Offer all your activities to the Lord while reciting this prose mantra and/or its translation:

itah purvam prana-buddhi-dharmadhikarato jagrat-svapna-susupty-avasthasu manasa vaca

karmana hastabhyam padbhyam udarena sisna yat smrtam yad uktam yat krtam tat

sarvam sri-krsnarpanam bhavatu svaha. mam madiyam ca sakalam haraye samarpayami.

om tat sat.

As a living entity endowed with life, intelligence, body, and the power to

discriminate between right and wrong, I offer Krsna whatever I have thought with

my mind, spoken with my words, and performed with my hands, feet, stomach,

and genitals while awake, asleep, or in deep sleep. I offer myself and everything I

have to the Lord.

Offering Oneself to the Lord (atma-samarpana)

Offer yourself to the Lord while reciting this verse:

aham bhagavato ’mso ’smi sada daso ’smi sarvathatvat-krpapeksako nityam ity atmanam

samarpaye

O Lord, I offer myself to You in full surrender, always praying for Your mercy and

considering myself eternally part and parcel of You.

Begging Forgiveness for Offenses (aparadha-sodhana)

anga-hinam kriya-hinam vidhi-hinam cayad bhavetastu tat sarvam acchidram krsna-karsna-

prasadatahyat kincid vaigunyam jatam tad dosa-prasamanasya sri-krsna-smaranam karomi

May the mercy of Krsna and His devotees nullify all the mistakes we have made in

our observance of the rules of worship and in our performance of the acts of
worship. I now remember Krsna to nullify whatever faults there may be.[Sat-kriya-

sara-dipika]

hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare harehare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
Waking Deities At Temple
Early-Morning Services (jagarana-seva)
Required Paraphernalia

Make sure the following items are present:

1. a small bell on a plate

2. a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water
3. a waterpot with a spout and a cover, filled with warm water
4. a visarjaniya-patra (throw-out pot)
5. a twig for each Deity to clean His teeth
6. tongue-scrapers (preferably silver) for each Deity
7. clean towels for wiping the hands, mouth, and feet of each Deity
8. flower petals and tulasi leaves
9. a lighter for lighting a standing lamp
10. an asana for you to sit on.

(Substitution: instead of twigs, towels, and tongue-scrapers, you may substitute samanya-arghya
water and chant the appropriate mantras.)

Before Entering the Deity Room

Outside the Deity room, sit on an asana and perform acamana.

Offer obeisances to your spiritual master, saying his pranama prayers and requesting his
blessings to perform the day’s activities:

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-talesrimate [spiritual master’s name] iti namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto [spiritual master’s name], who is very dear to Lord
Krsna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

While ringing a bell just outside the Deity room, you may chant the following verses, meditating
on the Lord awakening and begging Him to bestow His mercy:

so ’sav adabhra-karuno bhagavan vivrddha-prema-smitena nayanamburuham vijrmbhanutthaya

visva-vijayaya ca no visadammadhvya girapanayatat purusah puranah

The Lord, who is supreme and is the oldest of all, is unlimitedly merciful. I wish that He
may smilingly bestow His benediction upon me by opening His lotus eyes. He can uplift the
entire cosmic creation and remove our dejection by kindly speaking His
directions. [Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.9.25]

deva prapannarti-hara prasadam kuru kesavaavalokana-danena bhuyo mam parayacyuta

O Kesava, O infallible Lord, O You who remove the distress of the surrendered souls!
Please bestow Your mercy upon me by again awarding me Your transcendental glance.

jaya jaya krpamaya jagatera nathasarva jagatere koro subha-drsti-pata

All glories, all glories to the merciful Lord of the universe! O Lord, please cast Your
auspicious glance upon all the worlds.

Entering the Deity Room

Before entering the Deity room, draw the Lord’s attention by making a sound, either by clapping
your hands, ringing a bell, or knocking on the Deity room door. Open the door, turn on the lights,
and chant the names of the Deities in a festive mood:

jaya sri-sri-guru-gauranga, jagannatha-baladeva-subhadra, radha-syamasundara [or your

Deities’ names] ki-jaya

Then step into the Deity room with your right foot first and light the ghee or oil lamps.

Waking the Spiritual Master and the Deities

While ringing a small bell with your left hand, approach your spiritual master’s bed, touch his
lotus feet with your right hand, and chant:

uttisthottistha sri-guro tyaja nidram krpa-maya

O all-merciful spiritual master, please rise from sleep.

Next move your spiritual master’s shoes from the bed to the simhasana (altar) while meditating
that he is rising from bed to receive your services.Follow a similar procedure for waking the
Deities:Approach Lord Nityananda’s bed, touch His lotus feet, and chant:

uttistha jahnavesvara yoga-nidram tyaja prabhonamno hatte divya-namam su-sraddhartham

vitarasi

O Nityananda Prabhu, Lord of Jahnava, please arise and give up Your divine sleep. At the
marketplace of the holy name You distribute the divine name, asking only for one’s faith in
payment.

Approach Lord Caitanya’s bed, touch His lotus feet, and chant:

uttisthottistha gauranga jahi nidram mahaprabhosubha-drsti-pradanena trailokya-mangalam

kuru

O Lord Gauranga, please rise from sleep and bless the three worlds with Your auspicious
glance.
Next approach the bed of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama, and Srimati Subhadra, touch Their
lotus feet, and chant:

tyaja nidram jagannatha sri-baladevottistha cajagan-matar ca subhadre uttisthottistha subha-de

O Lord Jagannatha and Lord Baladeva, please give up your sleep and arise. O Srimati
Subhadra, dear mother of the universe, please arise and bestow good fortune upon us.

Then approach Radha’s and Krsna’s bed, touch Their lotus feet, and chant:

isvara sri-hare krsna devaki-nandana prabhonidram munca jagan-natha prabhata-samayo

bhavet

O supreme controller, O Lord Hari, O Krsna, O son of Devaki, O master, O Lord of the
universe, please give up Your sleep, for daybreak has come.

go-gopa-gokulananda yasoda-nanda-vardhanauttistha radhaya sardham pratar asij jagat-pate

O master of the universes, O bliss of Gokula, the cowherds, and the cows, O You who
gladden the hearts of Yasoda and Nanda, please rise from bed with Sri Radhika, for
morning has come.

Chant the following mantra for other visnu-tattva Deities:

uttisthottistha govinda uttistha paramesvarauttistha kamala-kanta trailokyam mangalam kuru

O Govinda, O Paramesvara, O beloved of Laksmi, please rise and bestow good fortune on
all the three worlds.

For other Deities, chant uttisthottistha, “please rise,” and the name of the Deity.You may now
return to the altar any small Deities in bed. If there are only large Deities, meditate on waking
Them and leading Them from Their beds to the altar.

Then replace any crowns, turbans, chadars, or veils that belong to Their Lordships’ night dress.
After removing any remaining flowers and garlands from the previous day, clean the Deity room
floor and then wash your hands.

Offering Early-Morning Paraphernalia

While chanting the following mantras, offer the appropriate items if available; otherwise,
substitute samanya-arghya water from the panca-patra:

 Chant idam acamaniyam and guru-mula-mantra, and offer water for sipping; discard it in the
visarjaniya-patra.
 Chant esa danta-kasthah and guru-mula-mantra, and offer a twig for brushing teeth.
 Chant idam jihvollekhanam and guru-mula-mantra, and offer a tongue scraper.
  Chant idam hasta-mukha-praksalanam and guru-mula-mantra, and offer water for cleaning
hands and face.
 Chant idam acamaniyam and guru-mula-mantra, and offer water for sipping.
 Chant idam anga-vastram and guru-mula-mantra, and dry your spiritual master’s hands and
face with a towel.

Now offer the same items to Nityananda Prabhu, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srimati Subhadra, Lord
Baladeva, Lord Jagannatha, Srimati Radharani and Lord Krsna, one after another (in that order),
with the appropriate mula-mantras.

Finally, you may offer tulasi leaves to the feet of Lord Krsna and Lord Caitanya (and other
visnu-tattva Deities) while chanting:etat tulasi-patram (or, for several leaves,etani tulasi-
patrani) and the mula-mantra.Now that the Deities have been awakened, you may offer
obeisances to Them outside the Deity room.

Clothes and ornaments for deity worship

 Towels for Drying
The towels for drying the Lord should be pure, soft cotton. Cotton is better than silk because it is
absorbent and can be washed repeatedly. Do not use synthetic clothes. Cotton flannelette is
suitable for this purpose. It remains soft even after washing many times. It also dries quickly so
that if it is washed and rinsed one day it is dry the next day ready for the worship. Always wash
and dry new cloth before using for your deities.
Dress for the Lord (vastra)
The Lord should be dressed in upper and lower cloth that is durable, soft (not scratchy), clean,
untorn, never worn by others, scented, and of variegated colors. The scriptures allow for various
local styles in dressing the Lord, but traditional dressing, like traditional cooking, is very dear to
Him. All colors may be utilized just suitable to your scheme. Synthetic fabric is allowable for
deity dresses, although natural fabrics such as silk and cotton are best. The deities should be
dressed in clothing suitable to the season – warm clothing in the cold season, light in the hot
season. Dressing deities according to season is prominent in traditional temples in Vrndavana.
Srila Prabhupada was displeased when devotees failed to dress the deities in clothing suitable to
the weather, “It is not at all good that the deities do not have warm clothing for the cold
weather.”
Ornaments
Since precious metals and precious stones attract thieves, Srila Prabhupada instructed devotees to
decorate deities with synthetic jewellery. However, semi-precious stones and silver generally
may be used, with due consideration for protection of the deities and Their paraphernalia from
thieves.

Offering Arati
Arati Ceremony

Every scheduled bhoga offering is followed by an arati. Except for kirtana, offering arati is the only

regular daily function of Deity worship performed publicly.

Required Paraphernalia

Make sure the following items are present:

For all aratis:

1. a bell on a plate

2. a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water (or simply fresh water) and a spoon

3. a conch (for blowing) with a water-filled lota for purifying it

4. a receptacle to catch the water from rinsing the conch (just outside the Deity room, in the
temple room).

In addition, for full arati:

1. an incense holder with an odd number of incense sticks

2. a camphor lamp (for midday arati)

3. a ghee lamp with an odd number of wicks (at least five)

4. a conch for arghya water, with a stand

5. a waterpot with a spout and a cover, filled with water (this is for the arghya water to be
offered in the conch)

6. a small visarjaniya-patra (throw-out container) for the offered arghya

7. a handkerchief

8. flowers on a plate

9. a camara (yak-tail whisk)

10. a peacock fan (only in warm weather).

For dhupa-arati:

1. an incense holder with an odd number of sticks

2. flowers on a plate

3. a camara
 4. a peacock fan (only in warm weather).

Preliminary Activities for Arati

Outside the Deity room, after performing acamana (if not already done for previous services), offer

obeisances to your spiritual master, requesting to assist him in the worship.

Prepare the samanya-arghya if not already done (see description), or if doing simplified worship, as in

Chapter 3, see to it that there is a panca-patra containing fresh water and a spoon.

After cleaning the place where the arati paraphernalia will be set up (either on a low table, on the

floor, or, if space allows, on the altar itself), bring the tray with paraphernalia and place them in the

order of offering.

You may now light a standing or hanging oil or ghee lamp for lighting incense and arati lamps.

Requesting the Lord to Accept the Arati (puspanjali)

While ringing a bell, offer flower petals to the lotus feet of your spiritual master and then to each

Deity’s lotus feet, requesting each Deity to accept the arati ceremony. The order of offering puspanjali

is as follows: your spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Lord Nityananda, Lord Caitanya, Srimati

Subhadra, Lord Baladeva, Lord Jagannatha, Srimati Radharani, and Lord Krsna. While offering the

petals, chant esa puspanjalih and the mula-mantra for each Deity. Or in simplified worship, simply say,

“Please accept these flowers of surrender.” (Substitute water from the panca-patra for flower petals if

necessary, holding a spoonful of water toward each personality and then discarding it in the

visarjaniya-patra; or simply offer Them flower petals in the mind.)

Ringing the bell again, open the Deity room doors. Then, take the blowing conchshell and lota with

water just outside the Deity room (without the bell), blow the conch three times, rinse it off over a

receptacle placed outside for that purpose, and then bring the conch and lota back inside. (You may

place the conch horizontally on top of the lota.) Next wash your hands with water from the panca-

patra and open the curtain while ringing the bell.

During the arati ceremony, devotees should perform kirtana in the temple. If by some misfortune no

one is in the temple to chant, the pujari performing arati may either sing or have a recording of kirtana

played.
Purifying the Upacaras

Before offering each upacara, purify both your right hand and the upacara by sprinkling them with

water from the panca-patra. You can purify the upacara in either of two ways:

1. place a few drops of water in your right hand and then sprinkle it lightly over the upacara with
a single motion of your hand, so that the water comes off your fingertips; or

2. take the spoon in your right hand and sprinkle water on the upacara directly from the spoon.

Optionally, with either method you may then show the cakra-, dhenu- (or surabhi-), and matsya-

mudras over each item to indicate more subtle purification and protection. (See the Supplement, page

156, for diagrams and explanations.)

Offering Procedure

While standing on an asana and ringing a bell, present the incense first to your spiritual master by

waving it in three or seven graceful circles, and then present it to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya

in the same manner. Arati paraphernalia should be offered gracefully, in a meditative mood. But do

not be either too slow or too fast, and do not perform it in a showy manner, but as a humble servant of

your spiritual master and the assembled Vaisnavas. Stand to the left of the altar (as viewed from the

temple room) – not hidden entirely from view but also not distracting by your presence.

For devotees who are not direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada:

Along with the worship of one’s own spiritual master, devotees in ISKCON worship His Divine Grace A.

C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as both the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the siksa-guru for all

devotees of ISKCON. In addition to the worship of Srila Prabhupada in his guru-puja, one should also

honor him when performing arati by presenting the arati items to Srila Prabhupada after presenting

them to one’s own spiritual master.

Then, with the consciousness that you are offering it on behalf of your spiritual master and with the

blessings of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya, offer it with the full number of circles (listed below)

to the main Deity.

After offering the incense to the main Deity, offer it as prasada to the Lord’s associates in descending

order, and to the guru-parampara—senior to junior. This may be done with seven or three circles for
each personality, depending on time allowance. (Some manuals say that when offering items as

prasada in arati, one should not offer below the waist.)

Then “distribute it” (with one or three circles) to the assembled Vaisnavas as the prasada of the Lord

and His associates.

Offer the remaining items in a similar way. When offering each upacara, say softly the name of the

item and the appropriate mula-mantra of the Deity being worshiped. Or in simplified worship, simply

say to each personality, “Please accept this offering of [incense, lamps, etc.]“.

Offered items should not be mixed with unoffered items. You may place offered items back on the

plate that was used to bring in the paraphernalia, provided no unoffered paraphernalia remains on it.

How to Offer Each Item

Offer all the items, except the camara and fan, by moving them in clockwise circles while ringing a bell

with your left hand (above waist level), fixing your attention on the Deities.

Incense: offer seven circles around the whole body of the Lord.

Lamp(s): offer four circles to the lotus feet, two circles to the navel, and three circles to the Lord’s

face; then offer seven circles to the Lord’s whole body.

Arghya in a conch: offer three circles to the Lord’s head and seven circles to the whole body of the

Lord. Then pour a small amount of the offered arghya into the visarjaniya-patra (small throw-out pot)

before proceeding to offer arghya to the next personality. (Arati arghya: plain or scented water).

Cloth: offer seven times around the Lord’s body.

Flowers: offer seven times around the Lord’s body.

Camara: wave before the Lord a suitable number of times.

Fan: wave before the Lord a suitable number of times.You may give out the lamp(s) to the assembled

devotees immediately after offering them to the Deities; it is traditional in many temples, to avoid

interrupting the arati, to distribute arghya water and flowers at the end of the arati, after blowing the

conch.

Upacara-mantras for Arati

The mantras for each item are as follows:

Incense: esa dhupah and the mula-mantra

Camphor and ghee lamps: esa dipah and the mula-mantra

Water in a conchshell: idam arghyam and the mula-mantra

Cloth: idam vastram and the mula-mantra

Flowers: etani puspani and the mula-mantra (idam puspam if offering a single flower)

Camara: esa camara-seva and the mula-mantra

Fan: esa vyajana-seva and the mula-mantra

Completing the Arati

Full aratis, including fanning and blowing of the conch before and after the arati, may last up to

twenty-five minutes; the duration of short aratis (in which incense, flowers, and camara are offered) is

from five to eight minutes.

After completing the arati, blow the conch three times outside the Deity room, as at the beginning of

the arati. Then distribute the arghya and flower prasada to the assembled devotees.

Chant the prema-dhvani mantras if the kirtana leader or another devotee in the temple does not chant

them.

Then with joined palms offer pranama prayers softly to your spiritual master and Their Lordships.

Next remove the arati paraphernalia from the Deity room, clean the area and articles, and at last offer

dandavat-pranamas (prostrated obeisances) outside the Deity room.

Putting Deities to Rest

Putting the Lord to Rest (sayana-seva)
Required Paraphernalia
The following items are required to put the Lord to rest:

 a small bell on a plate

 a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water
 a padya container with water
 the Deities’ beds
 the Deities’ nightclothes
 cloths for wiping off tilaka decorations
 flower petals
 bowls with condensed milk for each Deity
 cups of water for each Deity
 tambula.

During the afternoon (immediately after the raja-bhoga-arati) and at night (after the

sayana-arati), put the Deities to rest. In the afternoon you need not offer the padya,

condensed milk, drinking water, tambula, or puspanjali, but you should remove the crowns

and garlands (at least from the small Deities, who should be placed into beds). At night,

change the Deities’ clothing. If there are only large Deities, offer Them small beds, escorting

Them to the beds by meditation, and offer Them services, just as you would offer to small

Deities. Alternatively, if salagrama-sila is present, you may perform sayana-seva for Him on

behalf of the large Deities, placing Him in a bed

Outside the Deity room, perform acamana and offer obeisances to your spiritual master.

Then take the items for sayana-seva into the Deity room, such as tambula, flowers, the

Deities’ plates with condensed milk, and cups of water for each Deity. The padya-patra and

visarjaniya-patra should already be in the Deity room.

Place each Deity’s bed before or beside the altar – either on the floor or on a low table. (If

there are mosquitos or flies in the Deity room, put mosquito netting around the beds.) You

should fluff out the bedding, and you may place flower petals in the bed, either physically or

by meditation.

Sit on an asana and meditate that you are sitting at the feet of the main Deities, ready to

offer Them various services. At night remove any garlands, jewelry, and outer clothing
(leaving the undergarments on), wipe off tilaka decorations with a slightly damp cloth, and

dress Their Lordships in night garments.

Then invite Their Lordships to take rest by chanting the following mantra (for Radha-Krsna)

and offering Them your hand:

agaccha sayana-sthanam priyabhih saha kesava divya-puspatya-sayyayam sukham vihara

madhava

Now come, O Kesava, along with Your beloved Srimati Radharani and Her friends,

to the bed covered with transcendental, aromatic flowers. Now happily enjoy Your

pastimes, O Madhava.

Bring Their Lordships’ shoes from the altar to the bed, thinking that you are escorting the

Deities to Their resting place. Place the shoes next to the bed on a small mat or pillow; then

bring Their Lordships to Their bed. (It is best to first place the Deities on a low table next to

the bed for receiving the following items of worship. If this is not possible, make the

necessary adjustments by meditation.)

Sit before Their Lordships and offer the following items while ringing a bell with the left

hand and chanting the appropriate mantras:

Chant etat padyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer padya water to wash Their

Lordships’ lotus feet.

Chant idam acamaniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships water

for sipping.

Chant idam ghana-dugdham and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer Their Lordships

sweet condensed milk.

Chant idam paniyam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer water to Their Lordships.

Chant idam hasta-mukha-praksalanam and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer water

for cleaning Their Lordships’ hands and faces.

Chant esa puspanjalih and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer flowers to Their

Lordships’ lotus feet.

Now place Their Lordships into the bed and chant idam tambulam and the radha-krsna-

mula-mantra, and offer tambula to Their Lordships, then massage Their lotus feet.

Then cover Them with bedding appropriate to the room temperature. Place Krsna’s flute

under His pillow. Follow the same procedure when putting Krsna and Balarama, Lord

Jagannatha, Lord Caitanya, and Lord Nityananda to rest, substituting the appropriate mula-

mantras and sayana-mantras:

For Krsna-Balarama chant the following verse:

sayyam agacchatam krsna yasodananda-vardhana sayyam agacchatam rama patitam mam

dayam kuru

O Krsna, O source of Mother Yasoda’s happiness, now please come to Your bed. O

Lord Balarama, please come to Your bed and bestow Your mercy upon me, who am

lowly and fallen.

For Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama, and Srimati Subhadra chant the following prayer:

agaccha sayana-sthanam agrajena hy adhoksaja agaccha nija-sayyam ca subhadre me

dayam kuru

O Lord Jagannatha, if You please, You and Your elder brother Balarama may now

come to Your beds. O Mother Subhadra, please come to your resting place and

kindly bestow your mercy upon me.

For Lord Gauranga, chant the following verse:

agaccha visrama-sthanam sva-ganaih saha gauranga ksanam visramya sukhena lilaya

vihara prabho

O Lord Gauranga, please come to Your resting place along with Your associates. O

Lord, rest comfortably for a moment, enjoying Your pastimes.

Then chant this prayer to Lord Nityananda:

agaccha sayana-sthanam nityananda jagad-guro tava rupe maha-visnor anante sayanam

kuru

O spiritual master of the universe, Lord Nityananda, please come to Your place of

rest. In Your form of Maha-Visnu, please rest upon the thousand-headed serpent

known as Sesa.

Then you may chant the following prayers:

sadhu vasadhu va karma yad yad acaritam maya tat sarvam bhagavan visno

grhanaradhanam param apam samipe sayanasane grhe diva ca ratrau ca yatha ca gacchata

yad asti kincit sukrtam krtam maya janardanas tena krtena tusyatu

O Lord, please accept all I have done, whether complete or incomplete, as if it

were the best kind of worship. O Lord Janardana, if I have performed any pious

deeds, please be satisfied with what I have done during the day or night, while

sitting or moving, in the house or outside.

Follow the same procedure for putting your spiritual master to rest, with the guru-mula-

mantra, and then chant:

agaccha sayana-sthanam sva-ganaih saha sri-guro

O spiritual master, please come to your resting place, along with all your

associates.

For other Deities chant: agaccha sayana-sthanam sva-ganaih saha and the name of the

Deity.

Put out the lamps, quietly leave the room, lock the door, and offer pranamas to your

spiritual master and all Their Lordships. At night the pujari or an assistant should carefully

put the Deities’ jewelry, decorations, and clothes in their proper storage places, respecting

them as the Lord’s paraphernalia.