Instructions about Archana (Deity-Worship) & Bhajan (devotional activities)

to an Initiated Devotee.

“Sri Harinama and Sri Hari are the same.” 

All glories to Sri Chaitanya Chandra!

Sri Mayapur, Nadiya
16 Vishnu, 429 Gaurabda
17 March 1915, 3rd Chaitra 1321

My dear

I have received your letter. Please always sincerely chant a fixed number of rounds of Sri Harinama (the Holy Name of Lord Sri Hari) with great enthusiasm. The Guru Mantra is –  * * *. Guru Dhyan is –  * * *. Tilaka Mantra is –  * * * .

If there is any problem in explicitly marking the body with Hari-Mandir (tilaka or sacred markings), you can perform it in mind, while chanting the mantras. Please know that Sri Harinama and Sri Hari are the same. Know that chanting Sri Harinama and directly meeting Lord Sri Hari are precisely the same. “Sri Harinama Prabhu” is the worshipable object of the liberated souls.

Please read ‘Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita,’ ‘Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat,’ ‘Prarthana,’ ‘Prema-Bhakti-Chandrika,’ ‘Kalyana-Kalpataru’ and other pure Vaishnava scriptures. The customary rule is to worship Sri Guru first, followed by the worship of Sri Gauranga and then Sri Krishna. I will inform you about the detailed rules and regulations later. Meanwhile, please keep chanting the Mantras. While worshiping the Deities, meditate upon Them based on whatever idea and conception you have. Gradually, by cultivating more and more, your meditation will become perfect. Please know that the primary fruit or result obtained by performing deity worship, meditation, and related activities is to be able to chant Krishna-Nama.

By the mercy of Sri Mahaprabhu, I am doing good.

Your ever-well wisher, Akinchana, (having no material possession)

Sri Siddhanta Saraswati