kriya yoga (iii)

(12) There are eight types of forms with which one remembers Me:
1. in stone
2. in wood
3. in metal
4. in smearable substances
5. being painted
6. in sand
7. in jewels
8. and as an image kept in the mind

(13) Of the two kinds of individual temple deities that are moved and not moved, the installed deity, oh Uddhava, is in His worship not brought out [tevoorschijn gehaald, avadana] and stored away again [opgeborgen, udvasa].

(14) Not being installed, one has these options. But when assigned a fixed place, the following two possibilities are found: not being of a smearable substance [or being painted, or made of wood] He is washed. In all other cases, He is cleansed without water.

(15) There is the worship of My different deities with excellent paraphernalia. There is the worship of a devotee free from material desire, using whatever that is readily available. And there is the worship in the heart in a mental respect [by love only].

(16-17)

1. With a deity, customary bathing and decorating is most appreciated, Uddhava.

2. For a holy place, that is an exercise of respect in mantras.

3. And for fire, oblations [offerings, of sesame, barley etc.] drenched in ghee are considered best.

4. With the sun, that is a meditation in asanas [Surya-namskar].

5. And with water, offerings of water and such are most suitable.

6. Offerings presented with faith by a devotee of Mine are most dear to Me, even if it is just a bit of water.