The Main Worship With Sixteen Items
Preparation for Worship (purvanga-karma)
Required Paraphernalia
Establishing a Place for Worship (asana-sthapana)
Arranging the Paraphernalia for Worship (patra-sthapana)
Requesting the Spiritual Master’s and Previous Acaryas’ Blessings (guru-pankti-namaskara)
Purifying the Hands (kara-suddhi)
Purifying the Flowers (puspa-suddhi)
Purifying the Lord’s Paraphernalia (dravya-suddhi)
Purifying Oneself by Sprinkling Water (atma-suddhi)
Purifying the Bodily Elements by Identifying Oneself as the Eternal Servant of the Servant of Lord Krsna (bhuta-suddhi )
Preliminary Worship
Worshiping the Lord’s Bell (ghanta-puja)
Worshiping the Lord’s Bathing Conch (sankha-puja)
Worshiping the Spiritual Master (guru-puja)
Meditation on the form of the Spiritual Master (dhyana)
Worship of the Spiritual Master in the Mind (manasa-puja)
Worship of the Spiritual Master with Articles (bahya-puja)
Guru-stuti
Guru-pranama
Worshiping Lord Caitanya (gauranga-puja)
Meditation on Navadvipa-dhama (navadvipa-dhyana)
Meditation on the Form of Lord Caitanya (gauranga-dhyana)
Mental Worship of Lord Caitanya (manasa-puja)
Worship of Lord Caitanya with Articles (bahya-puja)
Worship of the Main Deity / Radha-Krsna Puja
Meditation and Worship of Radha-Krsna in the Mind
Meditation on Vrndavana-dhama (vrndavana-dhyana)
Meditation on the Form of Radha-Krsna (radha-krsna-dhyana)
Mental Worship of Radha-Krsna (manasa-puja)
Establishing Visesa-arghya (visesa-arghya-sthapana)
Worshiping the Deity in the visesa-arghya
Worship of the Lord’s Seat (pitha-puja)
Worship of Radha-Krsna with Articles (bahya-puja)
Silent Chanting of Mantras (mantra-japa)
Worshiping the Lord’s Personal Paraphernalia (upanga-puja)
Worshiping Radha-Krsna’s Associates (avarana-puja)
Offering Maha-prasada
Offering Additional Paraphernalia
Prayers to Radha-Krsna (stuti)
Padya-pancaka
Vijnapti-pancaka
Offering One’s Activities to the Lord (karma-samarpana)
Offering Oneself to the Lord (atma-samarpana)
Begging Forgiveness for Offenses (aparadha-sodhana)
Preparation for Worship (purvanga-karma)
• To avoid interrupting the
worship, make sure the following items are present
before 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 dhrta
tvam 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-prada
vrajananda-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-nityananda
sri-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 hare
hare 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 chanting om 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-sambhave
puspe 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.
• 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
va
kintu prodyan-nikhila-paramananda-purnamrtabdher
gopi-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 Worship
Worshiping 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 vallabhe
tvam 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 gurum
varabhaya-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).
• 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.
16. 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.
• Offer glorification with the following verse:
tvam gopika vrsaraves
tanayantike ’si
sevadhikarini guro nija-pada-padme
dasyam 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.
• Offer obeisances with the following verses:
om ajnana-timirandhasya
jnananjana-salakaya
caksur 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-tale
srimate [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-nityananda
sri-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 hare
hare 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-gatram
ramyaramavrtam san-mani-kanaka-maha-sadma-sanghaih
paritam
nityam pratyalayodyat-pranaya-bhara-lasat-krsna-sankirtanadhyam
sri-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-candrananam
sri-khandaguru-caru-citra-vasanam srag-divya-bhusancitam
nrtyavesa-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.
• Chant idam sarvam
and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer
flowers to Lord Caitanya; these represent whatever
additional items might be pleasing to Him.
16. 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
kalau
samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah
sada 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-nityananda
sri-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 hare
hare 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 Mind
Meditation on Vrndavana-dhama
(vrndavana-dhyana)
• Meditate on Vrndavana while chanting the following verses:
tato vrndavanam dhyayet paramananda-vardhanam
sarvartu-kusumopetam patatri-gana-naditam
bhramad-bhramara-jhankara-mukhari-krta-din-mukham
kalindi-jala-kallola-sangi-maruta-sevitam
nana-puspa-lata-baddha-vrksa-sandais ca manditam
kamalotpala-kahlara-dhuli-dhusaritantaram
tan-madhye ratna-bhumim ca suryayuta-sama-prabham
tatra kalpa-tarudyanam niyatam prema-varsinam
manikya-sikharalambi tan-madhye mani-mandapam
nana-ratna-ganais citram sarvartu-suvirajitam
nana-ratna-lasac-citra-vitanair upasobhitam
ratna-torana-gopura-manikyacchadananvitam
koti-surya-samabhasam vimuktam sat-tarangakaih
tan-madhye ratna-khacitam svarna-simhasanam mahat
kamalotpala-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-drumadhah
srimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau
sri-sri-radha-srila-govinda-devau
presthalibhih 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 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.
• 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
• Chant ime paduke
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer shoes to Their Lordships.
• Chant 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
• Chant svagatam su-svagatam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
with joined palms welcome Their Lordships and
see to Their comfort.
3. Padya
• Chant etat padyam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer padya water to wash Their Lordships’
lotus feet.
4. Arghya
• While ringing the bell, chant 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
• Chant idam acamaniyam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships water for sipping.
6. Madhuparka
• Chant esa madhuparkah and
the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer
cups of madhuparka to Their Lordships.
7. Punar-acamana
• Chant idam punar-acamaniya
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
again offer water for sipping.
8. Snana
• Murti-suddhi: remove the Deities’
clothes and cleanse Their Lordships with a soft
cloth or sponge dampened with warm water, wiping
off the candana, tulasi leaves,
and so on. Then wrap Them in gamchas
or towels.
• Chant ime paduke
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer shoes to Their Lordships and escort Them
to Their bathing place, the snana-patra.
• Chant 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.
• Chant 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 abhipalayantam
laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam
govindam 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-dalayataksam
barhavatamsam asitambuda-sundarangam
kandarpa-koti-kamaniya-visesa-sobham
govindam 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.
• Chant idam anga-vastram
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
dry Their Lordships with soft cloths.
• Chant idam acamaniyam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer acamana to Their Lordships.
9. Vastra
• Chant idam vastram
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer fresh clothing to Their Lordships.
• Offer Krsna an upavita, water
for sipping, and urdhva-pundra tilaka
before putting on His upper cloth, chanting, respectively:
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.)
• Chant idam kunkumam and
mark Srimati Radharani’s forehead with kunkuma.
• Chant idam acamaniyam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships water for sipping.
10. Abharana
• Chant imani abharanani and
the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer
Their Lordships ornaments and decorate Them.
• Chant 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
• Chant 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
• Chant 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.
• Chant 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.
• Place a tulasi leaf in Radha’s
right hand, for Her to offer to Krsna.
• Chant 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
• Chant esa dhupah and
the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and offer
incense to Their Lordships while ringing the bell.
14. Dipa
• Chant 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)
• Purify the bhoga by proksana
and place tulasi leaves on it.
• 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 acamana.
• Chant idam naivedyam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships fruit and/or sweets.
• Chant 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-tale
srimate [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-tale
srimate 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-pracarine
nirvisesa-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 te
krsnaya 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 ca
jagad-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.
• Wait for two to five minutes (either remaining
seated, with closed eyes, meditating on the Lord
enjoying his meal, or exiting the Deity room).
• Chant idam hasta-mukha-praksalanam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra,
and offer water for cleaning hands and face.
• Chant 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.
• Chant imani malyani
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships flower garlands (if not
offered previously).
• Chant idam mukha-vasam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships spices for chewing.
• Chant idam tambulam
and the radha-krsna-mula-mantra, and
offer Their Lordships betelnuts.
• Ring the bell and chant 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 namah
and offer gandha-puspa. Place the flower
petals next to Radha and Krsna.
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)
samsara-sagaran natha
putra-mitra-grhanganat
goptarau 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
ca
tat 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-sadhanah
agatis 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 gira
krsna-kante tavaivasmi yuvam eva gatir mama
saranam vam prapanno ’smi karuna-nikarakarau
prasadam 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.
mat-samo nasti papatma
naparadhi ca kascana
parihare ’pi lajja me kim bruve purusottama
yuvatinam yatha yuni yunam ca yuvatau yatha
mano ’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 evavalambanam
tvayi 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 sada
tvadiyam 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-vahini
krpaya 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 sarvatha
tvat-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 bhavet
astu tat sarvam acchidram krsna-karsna-prasadatah
yat 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 hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare