Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
दद्यादर्घ्यं ततो मूर्ध्नि भसितं च सुगंधितम् । कृत्वा पुष्पांजलिं पश्चादुपहारान्निवेदयेत्
dadyādarghyaṃ tato mūrdhni bhasitaṃ ca sugaṃdhitam | kṛtvā puṣpāṃjaliṃ paścādupahārānnivedayet
Daraufhin soll man Arghya, die ehrerbietige Libation, darbringen. Danach trage man auf den Scheitel duftende Bhasma, die heilige Asche, auf. Sodann bringe man mit gefalteten Händen eine Puṣpāñjali—Blumenopfergabe—dar und präsentiere anschließend die Upahāras und weiteren rituellen Gaben.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-pūjā upacāras: arghya, bhasma-dhāraṇa, puṣpāñjali, and upahāra-nivedana—standard temple/home worship sequence rather than a site-specific legend.
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa signifies Śiva-sāyujya-abhimukhatā (orientation toward Śiva) and dispassion; puṣpāñjali and upahāras cultivate bhakti and humility, inviting grace.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It outlines a sequential discipline of Shiva-upasana: respectful offering (arghya), sanctification through bhasma, and devotion through flowers and gifts—external acts meant to steady inner surrender to Pati (Shiva), the liberator.
These are standard upacharas (service-offerings) used in Linga/Saguna Shiva worship—honoring Shiva as approachable through sacred symbols and ritual order while cultivating reverence and purity of intention.
Offer arghya, apply fragrant bhasma on the head as a Shaiva mark of consecration (linked to Tripundra/bhasma-dharana), then offer flowers and formally present upaharas—ideally while remembering Shiva and reciting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).