Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
न धूपमिति मन्यन्ते धूपान्तरविधानतः । सितागुरुमघोराख्ये मुखे कृष्णागुरुं पुनः
na dhūpamiti manyante dhūpāntaravidhānataḥ | sitāgurumaghorākhye mukhe kṛṣṇāguruṃ punaḥ
Gemäß den vorgeschriebenen Varianten der Räucheropfer gilt es nicht als ein einziges, gleichförmiges Räucherwerk. Für das Antlitz namens Aghora wird weißes Agaru (sītāguru) verordnet, und nach einer anderen Vorschrift wiederum schwarzes Agaru (kṛṣṇāguru).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it specifies dhūpa-bheda (incense variations) aligned to Śiva’s mukha/aspect, explicitly naming Aghora.
Significance: Teaches that worship is not merely generic offering but intentional alignment with Śiva’s revealed aspects—refining the devotee’s attention (bhāva) and ritual precision.
Type: rudram
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It emphasizes that Shiva-puja is not casual but guided by vidhi (sacred procedure): offerings like incense are chosen with discernment, reflecting inner purity and attentive devotion to Pati (Shiva).
By linking specific incense types to Shiva’s aspect (such as Aghora), it shows Saguna worship—honoring Shiva through concrete, prescribed offerings to the Linga and divine forms while cultivating reverence for His transcendent nature.
Use dhūpa thoughtfully as per tradition—such as offering agaru (white or black as prescribed) during Linga-puja—while maintaining steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a calm, sattvic mind.