Arcana-dipika

Arcana-dīpikā – The Light Which Illuminates the Process of Deity Worship

By Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Prajñāna Keśava Gosvāmī Mahārāja

Hindi Translations compiled by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja

and Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Vamana Gosvāmī Mahārāja,

English translation under the guidance of Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja

Arcana-dīpikā means “the lamp that illuminates arcana”. The term arcana signifies honour, or worship. As one of the nine processes of devotional service it refers to worshipping the deity form of the Lord. Arcana-dīpikā teaches us how to perform this service and thus please the Lord through this process of worship. It contains the exact details of worship, waking, bathing and feeding the Lord, and putting Him to rest at night. It also includes exact details of the rules and regulations for brahminical cleanliness – all to help us develop pure bhakti.