Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 14
केवलामुष्मिकविधिः — The Rite for Exclusive Otherworldly Attainment
Liṅga-Abhiṣeka and Padma-Pūjā Protocol
सर्वं निवेद्य मन्त्रेण ततो गच्छेत्प्रदक्षिणाम् । प्रणम्य भक्त्या देवेशं स्तुत्वा चान्ते क्षमापयेत्
sarvaṃ nivedya mantreṇa tato gacchetpradakṣiṇām | praṇamya bhaktyā deveśaṃ stutvā cānte kṣamāpayet
Nachdem man alles mit dem vorgeschriebenen Mantra dargebracht hat, soll man sodann die Pradakṣiṇā (Umrundung) vollziehen. In Hingabe verneige man sich vor dem Herrn der Götter, preise Ihn und erbitte am Ende Vergebung für jedes Versehen im Kult.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: General conclusion of pūjā: mantra-nivedana, pradakṣiṇā, praṇāma, stuti, and kṣamā-prārthanā are universal closure rites in Śaiva worship.
Significance: Pradakṣiṇā and kṣamā-prārthanā cultivate humility and correct the inevitable ritual imperfections; considered especially efficacious for receiving Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches the complete arc of Shaiva worship—offering with mantra, reverent pradakṣiṇā, devotional prostration and praise, and finally kṣamāpaṇa (seeking forgiveness), emphasizing humility and surrender to Pati (Śiva) as the perfect Lord.
Pradakṣiṇā, namaskāra, and stuti are classic acts of Saguna worship directed to Deveśa (Śiva) as accessible through the Liṅga; the concluding request for forgiveness acknowledges human limitation in ritual precision while maintaining devotion.
Perform mantra-guided offerings, then pradakṣiṇā around the Liṅga, followed by bhakti-filled prostration and hymns; conclude with a kṣamā-prārthanā (forgiveness prayer) for any lapses in mantra, mudrā, or procedure.