Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
देहशुद्धिं ततः कृत्वा स मृज्जलविशोधनैः । हस्तौ पादौ च प्रक्षाल्य दंतधावनमाचरेत्
dehaśuddhiṃ tataḥ kṛtvā sa mṛjjalaviśodhanaiḥ | hastau pādau ca prakṣālya daṃtadhāvanamācaret
Dann, nachdem man den Körper durch Reinigung mit Erde (Lehm) und Wasser geläutert hat, wasche man Hände und Füße und vollziehe danach die Zahnreinigung, zur Vorbereitung auf Reinheit und Verehrung.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Frames bodily purification (mṛd-jala-śuddhi) as a gateway to ritual fitness for Śiva-pūjā; supports the Siddhānta emphasis that karmic/ritual discipline prepares the paśu for grace.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches śauca (purity) as a foundational discipline: by cleansing the body with earth and water and completing basic hygiene, the devotee becomes fit to approach Shiva with a steady, sattvic mind—supporting inner purity alongside outer cleanliness.
Linga-worship emphasizes reverent preparation—clean body, clean senses, and orderly conduct—so the devotee can offer upacāras (services) without negligence. This external discipline supports focused devotion to Saguna Shiva as embodied in the Linga.
A practical pre-puja routine is implied: bathe/cleanse using earth and water, wash hands and feet, clean the teeth, and then proceed to Shiva worship—ideally followed by mantra-japa such as the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) in a purified state.