Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 39
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
लिंगमूर्तिर्महेशस्य शिवस्य परमात्मनः । स्नानकाले प्रकुर्वीत जयशब्दादिमंगलम्
liṃgamūrtirmaheśasya śivasya paramātmanaḥ | snānakāle prakurvīta jayaśabdādimaṃgalam
Zur Zeit des Badens des Liṅga — des verkörperten Zeichens von Maheśa, Śiva, dem höchsten Selbst — soll man glückverheißende Handlungen vollziehen, beginnend mit dem Siegesruf „jaya“, und heilige, festliche Segensworte darbringen.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Liṅga-snāna (abhiṣeka) is framed as direct service to Paramātman; auspicious acclamation (‘jaya’) marks surrender and invites grace.
Mantra: jaya (victory acclamation)
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that the Liṅga is not merely a symbol but the worshipful manifestation of Śiva as Paramātman; during abhiṣeka, the devotee should cultivate an auspicious, victorious inner attitude that sanctifies the act and directs the mind toward Śiva.
By calling the Liṅga the ‘mūrti’ of Maheśa and identifying Śiva as the Supreme Self, the verse presents Saguna worship (Liṅga-abhiṣeka) as a valid doorway to realizing the transcendent Lord—devotion expressed through form leading toward ultimate knowledge.
During Shiva Liṅga bathing (abhisheka), recite auspicious victory invocations such as “Jaya Śiva” and maintain a reverent, celebratory focus; this complements mantra-japa (e.g., Pañcākṣarī) and supports steady bhakti during the rite.