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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 12: Chapter 11: Verses 17-28
The spot where the deity is worshipped should be visualized as the orb of the sun; the ceremony of initiation (by a Guru) into a certain Mantra (sacred text) should be contemplated as the act of self-consecration (which makes one eligible for the worship of a particular deity) and the worship of the Lord should be concieved as the eradication of (all) one's sins. Wielding (in one of His four hands) His six distinguishing attributes (viz., lordship, righteousness, renown, affluence, wisdom and dispassion each in its entirety (denoted by the term 'Bhaga' *) in the form of a lotus carried for the sake of diversion, and thus justifying the name of Bhagavan, the Lord (also) maintains (by His side in the hands of two of His divine attendants) righteousness and renown (two of the aforesaid six attributes) as a chowrie and a fan (respectively). He further bears (over His head) as an umbrella, 0 Brahmanas ! His (own divine) realm, viz., Vaikuntha, which has no fear from any quarter. The Veda t with its three divisions (Rk, Yajus and Sama) figures (as His carrier) under the name of Garuda and supports Yajna (the institution of sacrifice) as the Supreme Person (Himself). Sri Hari's own inseparable energy itself appears as Goddess Sri (the goddess of fortune). The well-known Viswaksena, the chief of His attendants, embodies (in His person) the Tantras (such as the Pancaratra Agama, detailing the procedure of His worship). The (eight) celebrated attributes of Sri Hari, Anima (the capacity to assume an atomic form) etc., stand (at His portals) as the eight porters, Nanda and others. The Supreme Person (Lord Narayana) Himself, 0 Brahmana sage, is spoken of as manifested in the four (adorable) forms of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. The (same) Lord is (philosophically) contemplated upon under the names of Viswa, Taijasa, Prajna and Turiya (respectively) when associated with the (four) states of (individual) consiousness, viz., 1-Wakefulness (in which the objects of sense are perceived through the senses), 2-the dream state (in which the mind alone-the sense par excellence-functions, the other senses remaining dormant), 3-the state of deep sleep (or complete forgetfulness marked by the latent impressions of the states of wakefulness and dream) and 4-the state of Self-Realization (in which the Self stands as the witness of all the three preceding states). Distinguished by His (aforesaid) limbs, attendants (constituting His auxiliary limbs as it were) weapons and ornaments, (nay,) possessing His six distinguishing attributes (collectively denoted by the term "Bhaga") and appearing in the four (adorable) forms (Vasudeva and so on), the almighty Lord Sri Hari (Himself) assumes these four aspects (Viswa etc.). O jewel among the twice-born ! the aforesaid Lord is the Source of the Vedas, self-effulgent and perfect in His own glory (all-blissful Self); yet He creates, preserves and destroys this (objective) universe by His own Maya (deluding potency consisting of the three Gunas) under different names (Brahma, Visnu and Siva respectively), though His consciousness remains uncircumscribed (thereby). Though spoken of (in the Sastras) as differentiated (in this sense), He is (really one inasmuch as He is) realized by His devotees as their own self. "Friend of Arjuna, jewel among the Vrsnis, 0 glorious Arsna ! who are fire (as it were) to burn the whole race of Asatriyas, that are proving hostile to the earth 0 Govinda (Protector of cows), whose, prowess is (ever) undiminished, whose sanctifying glory is sung by hosts of cowherd women as well as by devotees (like Narada), and whose names and praises are auspicious to hear, (pray,) protect (us,) Your vdtaries."
He who, rising (early) in the morning and getting clean (through a bath etc.), repeats this description of the Lord with his mind fixed on Him realizes Brahma enshrined in the heart (of all), by (merely) repeating it Saunaka submitted : As the divine Suka spoke to the listening Pariksit (the protege
"This is borne out by the Sruti when it says:- of Lord Visnu), a different batch presided over by the Sun-god, consisting of seven* remains on duty month after month. (Pray,) tell us, who are full of reverence, about the (said) entourage of Lord Sri Hari, appearing in the form of the Sun-god-in other words, the names and functions of those groups (of six pairs) combined with the deities presiding over them.
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