According to Chapter 1, 'Archan' is a path of devotion that involves expressing love through worship and rituals, an opinion attributed to the sages Parashara and Vyasa. This path is quite detailed and centers on serving the Guru. The practices mentioned include tending a garden for the Guru, picking flowers, and cleaning the courtyard. The ritualistic aspect involves performing one's own bath and prayers first, then preparing for the Guru's worship by grinding sandalwood, giving the idol a five-nectar (Panchamrut) bath, and performing incense and lamp worship. The process culminates in offering food (Naivedya) and performing Arati. A key spiritual concept within 'Archan' is inviting the spark of consciousness from one's own heart into the idol for the duration of the worship and then returning it to one's heart afterward.
The text mentions 'Archan' devotion. Can you explain what this path entails according to the source?
📖 Chapter 1