Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
तत्र दर्भान्परिस्तीर्य क्षालयेत्प्रोक्षणादिभिः । संशोध्य सर्वपात्राणि द्रव्यशुद्धिं समाचरेत्
tatra darbhānparistīrya kṣālayetprokṣaṇādibhiḥ | saṃśodhya sarvapātrāṇi dravyaśuddhiṃ samācaret
Dort soll man Darbha-Gras ausbreiten und durch Besprengen und andere Reinigungsakte läutern. Nachdem alle Gefäße gereinigt sind, vollziehe man ordnungsgemäß die Reinigung der Opferstoffe, damit die Verehrung des Herrn Śiva in Heiligkeit fortschreite.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s ritual principles to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that outer cleanliness (place, vessels, and offerings) supports inner purity, making the mind fit to approach Pati (Shiva) with reverence; in Shaiva Siddhanta, disciplined preparation reduces pasha-like impurities that obstruct devotion and clarity.
Linga worship is performed through specific upacharas (offerings). This verse emphasizes that the instruments of worship—water for prokshana, vessels, and materials—must be purified so the saguna form is honored with faultless, orderly service (seva).
Ritually: spread darbha, perform prokshana (sprinkling sanctified water), and cleanse all vessels and offerings. Meditatively: cultivate the same ‘shuddhi’ inwardly—steady attention and purity of intention—before japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya), if undertaken.