Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 68
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
कारयेद्भावतो भक्त्या वस्त्रेण मुखमार्जनम् । रूपं देहि यशो देहि भोगं देहि च शंकर
kārayedbhāvato bhaktyā vastreṇa mukhamārjanam | rūpaṃ dehi yaśo dehi bhogaṃ dehi ca śaṃkara
Mit inniger Hingabe soll man das Antlitz des Herrn sanft mit einem Tuch abwischen und beten: „O Śaṅkara, schenke mir Schönheit der Gestalt; schenke mir guten Ruf; und schenke mir würdige Genüsse.“
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating prescribed modes of Śiva-pūjā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Shows Śiva as the giver of both laukika-sampad (rūpa, yaśas, bhoga) and, by implication, higher good when approached with bhāva-bhakti; illustrates the devotee’s dependence (paśu) on the Lord’s grace (anugraha).
Mantra: रूपं देहि यशो देहि भोगं देहि च शंकर
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that intimate, humble service (a simple act like gently cleansing the Lord’s face) becomes powerful when done with bhāva and bhakti; Śiva then bestows both worldly well-being and inner uplift, guiding the devotee toward dharmic living and eventual liberation.
The verse reflects saguna-upāsanā—serving Śiva through tangible ritual care (upacāra). In practice, such service is commonly offered to the Śiva-liṅga or a mūrti as respectful attendance, expressing personal devotion while recognizing Śiva as the gracious Lord who responds to sincere worship.
It suggests an upacāra of cleansing/wiping with a cloth during Śiva-pūjā, accompanied by a direct prayer for blessings; it can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to keep the mind steady in devotion.