Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 71
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
गृहस्थो भार्यया सार्धं तदन्ये ऽपि तु केवलाः । प्रत्यूषसमयं बुद्ध्वा मात्रामाद्यामुदीरयेत्
gṛhastho bhāryayā sārdhaṃ tadanye 'pi tu kevalāḥ | pratyūṣasamayaṃ buddhvā mātrāmādyāmudīrayet
Der Hausherr soll zusammen mit seiner Gattin — und ebenso die anderen, ein jeder für sich —, sobald er die Zeit der Morgendämmerung erkennt, die erste Mātrā aussprechen, nämlich den heiligen Laut „Oṃ“, als Beginn der Verehrung.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: Oṃ
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes brahma-muhūrta (dawn) as a sattvic time for beginning Shaiva practice, starting with the primal sound “Oṃ,” which steadies the mind and turns the soul (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati) through disciplined remembrance.
By prescribing “Oṃ” as the opening utterance, it frames Linga worship as mantra-led devotion: the sound-current initiates the rite, after which one may proceed to Saguna Shiva worship—such as offering to the Linga—anchored in inner recollection.
Wake at dawn and begin japa by first chanting “Oṃ” (the ādyā mātrā), then continue with Shaiva mantra practice (commonly the Panchakshara, “Oṃ Namaḥ Śivāya”) as part of daily worship.