FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.27.35

अभ्यङ्गोन्मर्दनादर्शदन्तधावाभिषेचनम् । अन्नाद्यगीतनृत्यानि पर्वणि स्युरुतान्वहम् ॥ ३५ ॥
abhyaṅgonmardanādarśa-
[abhyangonmardanaadarsha-]
danta-dhāvābhiṣecanam
[danta-dhaavaabhishechanam]
annādya-gīta-nṛtyāni
[annaadya-geeta-nrityaani]
parvaṇi syur utānv-aham
[parvani syur utaanv-aham]
abhyaṅga — with ointment unmardana — massaging ādarśa — offering a mirror danta-dhāva — washing the teeth abhiṣecanam — bathing anna — offering food that can be eaten without chewing ādya — offering food that is chewed gītā — singing nṛtyāni — and dancing parvaṇi — on special holidays syuḥ — these offerings should be made uta — or else (if it is within one’s means) anu-aham — every day.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
abhyaṅgonmardanādarśa-
abhyaṅga
with ointment
unmardana
massaging
ādarśa
offering a mirror
danta-dhāvābhiṣecanam
danta-dhāva
washing the teeth
abhiṣecanam
bathing
annādya-gīta-nṛtyāni
anna
offering food that can be eaten without chewing
ādya
offering food that is chewed
gītā
singing
nṛtyāni
and dancing
parvaṇi syur utānv-aham
parvaṇi
on special holidays
syuḥ
these offerings should be made
uta
or else (if it is within one’s means)
anu-aham
every day.
On special occasions, and daily if possible, the Deity should be massaged with ointment, shown a mirror, offered a eucalyptus stick for brushing His teeth, bathed with the five kinds of nectar, offered all kinds of opulent foods, and entertained with singing and dancing.

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura describes the process of Deity worship as follows: “First the Deity’s teeth should be cleaned and His body massaged with fragrant oil and rubbed with vermilion, camphor powder and so forth. Then He should be bathed with fragrant water and the five kinds of nectar. Next one should offer valuable silk garments and jeweled ornaments to the Deity, smear His body with sandalwood paste, and offer Him garlands and other gifts. After this, one should hold a mirror in front of the Deity and then offer fragrant oil, flowers, incense, lamps and scented water for refreshing the mouth. One should offer all types of palatable foods, fragrant water, betel nuts, garlands, ārati lamps, a bed to rest on, and so on. One should also fan the Deity and perform instrumental music, singing and dancing. This Deity worship must be performed on special occasions like religious holidays or else, if one can afford it, daily.” According to Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī, Ekādaśī is an appropriate day for performing special Deity worship.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
On special occasions, and daily if possible, the deity should be massaged with oils, and wiped to remove the oils, shown a mirror, offered a stick for brushing his teeth, bathed with the five kinds of liquid, offered all kinds of fine foods, and entertained with singing and dancing. First one offers the tooth brush. Then one massages the deity with fragrant oils. One removes the oils with powder scented with saffron and camphor. One should bathe the deity in pañcāmṛta and scented water. Then one offers precious silk cloth, jewel ornaments, sandalwood and other unguents, and garlands. One then offers a mirror and then fragrance, flowers, incense, lamp and mouth wash. One should offer rice, scented drinking water, betel nut, garlands, ārātrika, flowers, bed and fan. Then one should playing musical instruments, sing and dance. This can be done on festival days or daily.
On special days massage the Deity with ointment, show a mirror, offer a brushing stick, bathe with five nectars, offer opulent foods, and entertain with singing and dancing. Festivity is part of worship.
Reflection Questions
  • What festivity have I let fall out of my Deity worship?
  • How could I bring even a small festive practice back?
📝 My note

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