Maṇḍala–Pūjā–Homa Krama
Maṇḍala Worship and Homa Sequence for the Disciple
शिवशक्तियुताञ्चैव शक्तिविद्यां च तादृशीम् । ऋषिं छन्दश्च देवं च शिवतां शिवयोस्तथा
śivaśaktiyutāñcaiva śaktividyāṃ ca tādṛśīm | ṛṣiṃ chandaśca devaṃ ca śivatāṃ śivayostathā
Er soll ebenso wissen, dass diese Śakti‑Vidya mit Śiva und Śakti ausgestattet ist; und auch ihren ṛṣi, ihr chandas (Versmaß), die präsidierende Gottheit (deva) sowie die Śivatā — die innewohnende Śiva‑Natur — des göttlichen Paares erkennen.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
It teaches mantra-dharma: a mantra is not recited mechanically—one should know its Śiva-Śakti essence, along with ṛṣi, chandas, and devatā, so worship becomes conscious alignment with Pati (Shiva) and His inseparable Shakti.
Lingārcana and Saguna worship are strengthened when the devotee recognizes the presiding deity and the Śiva-nature (śivatā) behind the mantra—seeing the Linga as Shiva inseparably united with Shakti, the power that makes grace and liberation effective.
Before japa, perform mantra-nyāsa in understanding: contemplate the mantra’s ṛṣi, chandas, devatā, and its Śiva-Śakti unity; then do steady japa with bhakti and inner recollection of Śiva-nature (śivatā).