Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 79
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
निवेदयेत्ततः पश्चाच्छिवयोरमृतोपमम् । सुव्यञ्जनसमायुक्तं शुद्धं चारु महाचरुम्
nivedayettataḥ paścācchivayoramṛtopamam | suvyañjanasamāyuktaṃ śuddhaṃ cāru mahācarum
Daraufhin soll man Śiva (und Seiner göttlichen Gefährtin) ein großes, schönes, gekochtes Opfergericht darbringen — rein, mit feinen Gewürzen wohl zubereitet, dem Nektar gleich, würdig der Verehrung.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Naivedya to Śiva-Śivā is treated as bhakti expressed through purity and excellence; offering ‘amṛtopama’ food symbolizes the devotee’s aspiration for immortality through grace.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that worship becomes complete when devotion is expressed through a pure, lovingly prepared offering; the “nectar-like” quality points to inner purity and reverence rather than mere culinary richness.
In saguna worship of Śiva (including Linga-pūjā), naivedya is offered as a consecrated act of surrender; the offering is made to Śiva together with Śakti, affirming the inseparable unity of Pati and His divine power in ritual.
Prepare and offer pure naivedya (caru) with cleanliness and devotion, mentally dedicating it to Śiva-Śakti; accompany the offering with remembrance of the Panchākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” as an inner act of consecration.