Worship is an act of gratitude—offering back to the Lord what we have received from Him: Tera Tujhko Arpana, Kya Lage Mera.

• Fruit vendor lady offered her stock to Krishna and received His mercy.
• Sudama gave his little rice with pure love and got abundance in return.
• Even Putana, who tried to kill Krishna, was given the position of a mother because of her external offering.

Offerings represent the five elements:

• Lamp = Fire
• Arghyam = Water
• Incense = Earth
• Chamara = Air
• Conch = Ether

—the very elements that make up our body.