Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c10.s1.90

c10.s1.90

There are rules, given by the *Gautamīya Tantra*, for different modes of meditation and worship at the three junctures of the day (Tri-sandhyā). In the morning Kṛṣṇa should be contemplated as seated among Gopa-Gopis under the shade of the divine Wishing Tree (Kalpa-vṛkṣa) at Vṛndāvana, and worshipped with sixteen kinds of gifts (Ṣoḍaśopacāra, to be mentioned below), and with the offering of milk and curd (Dadhi) in a golden plate to Kṛṣṇa and in a plate of bell-metal to the Gopas respectively. At midday, Kṛṣṇa should be contemplated as seated in the Padmāsana posture at the foot of a golden mountain adorned with lakes, lotus, birds and trees, and worshipped with the offer of Jāti flowers and with rice-food placed in a silver plate before Kṛṣṇa and his companions. In the evening, Kṛṣṇa should be contemplated as seated in an arbour of jewels under the Kalpa tree and adorned with sandal decorations, garlands and ornaments, and worshipped with fragrant flowers and offer of pure boiled milk in a silver cup. All these three are really mental modes of worship (Mānasi Arcanā) and should be accompanied by the muttering of the Mantra one thousand and eight times (or, for brevity, one hundred and eight times).