Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19
आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship
स्वयमेव विशीर्णानि न देयानि शिवार्चने । वासांसि च मृदून्येव तपनीयमयानि च
svayameva viśīrṇāni na deyāni śivārcane | vāsāṃsi ca mṛdūnyeva tapanīyamayāni ca
In der Verehrung Śivas soll man keine Gewänder darbringen, die von selbst bereits zerrissen oder abgetragen sind. Vielmehr soll man nur weiche, feine Stoffe darbringen und ebenso Gaben aus reinem Gold.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-arcana should be performed with śuddhi (purity) and sincere bhakti—offering what is clean and worthy symbolizes inner refinement and reverence toward Pati (Śiva), helping the devotee loosen pāśa (bondage) through disciplined devotion.
In Saguna worship of the Śiva-liṅga, external offerings mirror internal attitude. Presenting untorn, soft cloth and pure materials expresses honor to the manifest form of Śiva and supports the devotional mood required for effective liṅga-arcana.
It suggests careful selection of offerings for Śiva-pūjā—use clean, fine items rather than worn-out ones, and accompany the act with focused devotion, ideally while remembering Śiva through japa such as the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).