kriya yoga (i)

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
=Bhāgavata-Purāṇa [Kṛṣṇa/Bhakti-bible]

Canto 11 Chapter 27
On Respecting the Form of the Lord

Sri Uddhava said:

(1) Can You please explain the ritual yoga [kriya-yoga] of the service unto You as a deity, oh Master? Who is of that worship, in respect of what form is one of worship, and in what manner are You worshiped then, oh Master of the Satvatas?

(2) The sages Narada, Bhagavan Vyasa, and my preceptor [leermeester] Brihaspati repeatedly say, that for the welfare of men there is nothing as conducive [gunstig].

(3) The words about this that emanated from Your Lotus Mouth were spoken by the great unborn Lord Brahma unto his sons headed by Bhrigu, and by the great Lord Shiva speaking to the goddess Parvati.

(4) This [service to Your deity form] is approved by all classes and spiritual orders of society, and is I think most beneficial for women and the working class, oh Magnanimous One.

(5) Oh Lotus-Eyed Lord, oh Controller of All Controllers in the Universe, please speak to Your Bhakta - who is so very attached - about this means of liberation from the bondage of karma.