Namaskāra

atha vandanam

atha vandanam
praṇamed atha sāṣṭāṅgaṁ tan-mudrāṁ ca pradarśayet |
paṭhet prati-praṇāmaṁ ca prasīda bhagavann iti ||
tad uktam ekādaśe śrī-bhagavatā—
stavair uccāvacaiḥ stotraiḥ paurāṇaiḥ prākṛtair api |
stutvā prasīda bhagavann iti vandeta daṇḍavat ||
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 8.357–358)

“Now, [offering] obeisance [shall be described]: Then, one should prostrate with eight limbs and show the mudrā thereof. With every prostration, one should also declare, ‘Be pleased, O Bhagavān!’ This is stated by Śrī Bhagavān in the Eleventh [Canto, i.e., SB 11.27.45], ‘One should [offer] praise with various stavas and stotras, ancient and vernacular, [entreat Bhagavān,] ‘Be pleased, O Bhagavān,’ and offer obeisance like a stick.”

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agre pṛṣṭhe vāma-bhāge samīpe garbha-mandire

agre pṛṣṭhe vāma-bhāge samīpe garbha-mandire |
japa-homa-namaskārān na kuryāt keśavālaye ||
(Unknown source; cited in Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 8.391)

“In a temple of Keśava, one should not perform japa, homa, or namaskāra [i.e., obeisance] in front, behind, on the left side, very near, or in the sanctum sanctorum [of the deity].”

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atha praṇāma-vidhiḥ

atha praṇāma-vidhiḥ
tatraiva—
śiro mat-pādayoḥ kṛtvā bāhubhyāṁ ca parasparam |
prapannaṁ pāhi mām īśa bhītaṁ mṛtyu-grahārṇavāt ||
kiṁ cāgame—
dorbhyāṁ padbhyāṁ ca jānubhyām urasā śirasā dṛśā |
manasā vacasā ceti praṇāmo’ṣṭāṅga īritaḥ ||
jānubhyāṁ caiva bāhubhyāṁ śirasā vacasā dhiyā |
pañcāṅgakaḥ praṇāmaḥ syāt pūjāsu pravarāv imau ||
(Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: 8.359–361)

“Now, the procedure for prostration [is explained]: Therein specifically [i.e., in SB 11.27.46, it is explained by Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa], ‘Putting the head before my feet and the arms opposite one another, [one should address the deity], ‘O Lord, please protect me, I who have taken shelter [in you] and am afraid of the ocean inhabited by the shark of death’ [and then offer obeisance].’ Furthermore, in the Āgamas [it is said], ‘An obeisance with the arms, feet, knees, chest, head, sight, mind, and speech is known as aṣṭāṅga [i.e., an obeisance made with eight (aṣṭa) limbs (aṅga)]. An obeisance with the knees, arms, head, speech, and mind is [known as] pañcāṅga [i.e., an obeisance made with five (pañca) limbs (aṅga)]. These two [types of obeisance] are best in offerings of worship.’”

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khaṁ vāyum agniṁ salilaṁ mahīṁ ca

khaṁ vāyum agniṁ salilaṁ mahīṁ ca
jyotīṁṣi sattvāni diśo drumādīn |
sarit-samudrāṁś ca hareḥ śarīraṁ
yat kiṁ ca bhūtaṁ praṇamed ananyaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam: 11.2.41)

“One of one-pointed mind [lit., ‘one who has no other’] can offer obeisance to space, the air, fire, water, earth, the luminaries, living beings, the directions, trees and so forth, the rivers and oceans, and whatever else is existent.”

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man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru |
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ ||
(Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā: 9.34)

“Be of mind fixed on me, [be] my bhakta, and [be] my worshipper. Offer obeisance to me. You will come to me alone, having engaged your self [i.e., the body and mind] in this way [in me] as one whose shelter is in me.”

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tat te’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇo

tat te’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇo
bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaṁ vipākam |
hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jīveta yo mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk ||
(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.14.8)

“One who can perceive your grace fully and properly, endure the reactions to one’s own past actions, and live on offering obeisance unto you with mind, body, and words is an heir to the plane of mukti [i.e., freedom from ignorance and engagement in your eternal service].”

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