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:
- a small bell on a plate
- a panca-patra containing samanya-arghya water
- a waterpot with a spout and a cover, filled with water
- a visarjaniya-patra (throw-out pot)
- containers for padya, arghya, acamana, and madhu-parka
- tailam (fragrant oil)
- (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
- a water-conch on a stand
- a snana-patra (bathing receptacle)
- a receptacle for caranamrta
- a towel and a gamcha (cloth worn prior to dressing) for each
Deity
- clothing, underclothing, and pins
- ornaments and adhesive material (beeswax or “blutack”)
- 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
- gandha (sandalwood paste)
- flowers and flower garlands
- tulasi leaves and manjaris (buds)
- incense and ghee or camphor lamps (one set each for worship of your spiritual master, Lord Caitanya, and the main Deities)
- naivedya, consisting of fruits and/or sweets (one plate each for worshiping your spiritual master, Lord Caitanya, and the main Deities)
- a picture of your spiritual master and a receptacle for offerings to him
- a picture of Lord Caitanya (or the Panca-tattva) if you are worshiping Radha-Krsna
- this manual, or a written prayoga (procedure) based on this manual, if required
- 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 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-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.
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 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:
- Chant idam asanam and the guru-mula-mantra, and with a hand gesture offer an asana for your spiritual master to sit on.
- Chant svagatam su-svagatam and the guru-mula-mantra, and with joined palms welcome your spiritual master and see to his comfort.
- Chant etat padyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer water for washing your spiritual master’s feet.
- 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.
- Chant idam acamaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer your spiritual master water for sipping.
- Chant esa madhuparkah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer your spiritual master a cup of madhuparka.
- Chant idam punar-acamaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and again offer water for sipping.
- Chant idam snaniyam and the guru-mula-mantra, and bathe your spiritual master.
- Chant idam vastram and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer cloth to your spiritual master and dress him.
- Chant imani abharanani and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer paraphernalia used by your spiritual master, such as eye-glasses or a sannyasa-danda.
- Chant esa gandha and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer gandha to your spiritual master’s lotus feet, using a flower petal.
- 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.
- Chant esa dhupah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer incense.
- Chant esa dipah and the guru-mula-mantra, and offer a lamp.
- 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.
- 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 ’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.
Guru-pranama
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:
- 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.)
- Chant svagatam su-svagatam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and with joined palms welcome Lord Caitanya and see to His comfort.
- Chant etat padyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer water for washing Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet.
- 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.
- Chant idam acamaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer Lord Caitanya water for sipping.
- Chant esa madhuparkah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer Lord Caitanya a cup of madhuparka.
- Chant idam punar-acamaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and again offer water for sipping.
- Chant idam snaniyam and the gaura-mula-mantra, and bathe Lord Caitanya.
- Chant idam vastram and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer cloth to Lord Caitanya and dress Him.
- Chant imani abharanani and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer ornaments to Lord Caitanya.
- Chant esa gandhah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer gandha to Lord Caitanya’s lotus feet.
- 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.
- Chant esa dhupah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer incense to Lord Caitanya.
- Chant esa dipah and the gaura-mula-mantra, and offer a lamp to Lord Caitanya.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 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.
- 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-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.
- 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-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.
Vijnapti-pancaka
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
