Shloka 55
प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
पाद्यं दत्त्वा स्वयमपि क्षालितांघ्रिरुदङ्मुखः । आचम्य युग्मक्लृप्तांस्तानासनेषूपवेश्य च
pādyaṃ dattvā svayamapi kṣālitāṃghrirudaṅmukhaḥ | ācamya yugmaklṛptāṃstānāsaneṣūpaveśya ca
Nachdem er das Wasser zum Füßewaschen (pādya) dargebracht hatte, wusch er auch selbst seine Füße, nach Norden gewandt. Dann vollzog er das ācamana (rituelles Schlürfen zur Reinigung) und setzte jene verehrten Gäste auf die vorbereiteten Sitze, paarweise angeordnet.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that purity and humility are essential in Shaiva conduct: honoring others through pādya and maintaining inner-outer cleanliness through ācamana supports devotion (bhakti) and dharmic living, which prepares the mind for Shiva-realization.
The same pūjā-upacāras used for Saguna Shiva and the Shiva Linga—such as pādya and ācamana—are extended to honored guests and devotees, reflecting the Shaiva view that serving Shiva’s devotees is a direct form of serving Shiva.
Perform basic purification (ācamana) and follow orderly upacāras (like offering pādya) before worship or sacred interaction; it emphasizes mindful ritual discipline and respectful preparation of the worship space.