Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
सर्वत्र मन्त्रं विन्यस्य वर्मणावेष्ट्य बाह्यतः । पश्चादस्त्रेण संरक्ष्य धेनुमुद्रां प्रदर्शयेत्
sarvatra mantraṃ vinyasya varmaṇāveṣṭya bāhyataḥ | paścādastreṇa saṃrakṣya dhenumudrāṃ pradarśayet
بعد أن يُثبِّت السالكُ المانترا في جميع الجهات، فليُحِطْ نفسَه من الخارج بدرع الحماية (فارما). ثم ليَتَحَصَّنْ بمانترا الأسترا، وليُظهِر مُدرا «دهينو»، وبذلك يُختَمُ الطقسُ بقوة شيفا الحافظة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-worship is not merely external offering but an inner consecration: by nyāsa, kavaca (varma), and astra-protection, the sādhaka aligns body and mind as a purified vessel, removing obstacles (pāśa) so devotion can rest in Pati (Śiva).
Before approaching the Liṅga (Saguna Śiva), the devotee ritually establishes the mantra’s presence and seals the space/body with protective rites, indicating that Liṅga-pūjā is performed within a sanctified field where Śiva’s grace and guardianship are invoked.
It indicates a pūjā-preparatory sequence: perform mantra-nyāsa, apply a kavaca/varma visualization, use the astra-mantra for protection, and conclude with Dhenu-mudrā to seal and stabilize the rite.