Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
कृत्वा न्यासादिकं सर्वं संपूज्य विधिवच्छिवम् । संविधायेदं निर्व्यग्रश्शंकरं भक्तवत्सलम्
kṛtvā nyāsādikaṃ sarvaṃ saṃpūjya vidhivacchivam | saṃvidhāyedaṃ nirvyagraśśaṃkaraṃ bhaktavatsalam
Nachdem man alle vorbereitenden Riten wie Nyāsa und anderes vollzogen und Śiva ordnungsgemäß nach der vorgeschriebenen Weise verehrt hat, soll man sodann mit unzerstreutem Geist diese Observanz ausführen—auf Śaṅkara ausgerichtet, den Herrn, der seine Bhaktas stets liebevoll annimmt.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating Śiva-worship procedure to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights the ‘vidhi’ (prescribed method) and mental one-pointedness as prerequisites for Śiva’s grace; applicable across Śiva temples and liṅga-sannidhis.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s worship should be preceded by inner-and-outer purification (nyāsa and allied rites) and completed with single-pointed attention, because Śaṅkara responds to sincere devotion with grace.
The verse emphasizes vidhivat pūjā—formal, scriptural worship—directed to Śiva as a personal Lord (Saguna), which in practice is commonly done through Śiva-liṅga worship supported by mantra and ritual placement (nyāsa).
Perform nyāsa (mantra-placement on the body), complete the prescribed pūjā, and then continue the observance with a steady, undistracted mind focused on Śiva—an instruction that naturally supports japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and dhyāna.