Shloka 2

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

पाद्यमाचमनीयं च तस्याश्चार्घ्यं प्रदापयेत् प्राणायामत्रयं कृत्वा समासीनः स्थितो ऽपि वा

Transliteration

pādyamācamanīyaṃ ca tasyāścārghyaṃ pradāpayet prāṇāyāmatrayaṃ kṛtvā samāsīnaḥ sthito 'pi vā

Translation

He should offer water for washing the feet (pādya) and water for ritual sipping (ācamanīya), and then reverently present arghya to that Śiva-Liṅga. Having performed the threefold prāṇāyāma, he may worship, seated in calm composure or even while standing.

Word by Word

• पाद्यम् (pādyam): water for washing the feet

• आचमनीयं (ācamanīyam): water for ritual sipping/purification

• च (ca): and

• तस्य (tasya): to that (Linga/Deity)

• च (ca): and

• अर्घ्यम् (arghyam): arghya, respectful oblation

• प्रदापयेत् (pradāpayet): should offer/present

• प्राणायाम-त्रयम् (prāṇāyāma-trayam): the threefold pranayama

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done

• समासीनः (samāsīnaḥ): seated/settled in posture

• स्थितः (sthitaḥ): standing

• अपि (api): even/also

• वा (vā): or

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-Puja procedure as taught within the Linga Purana tradition)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It sets the minimal, orthodox sequence for approaching the Shiva-Linga: external purification through upachāras (pādya, ācamanīya, arghya) and internal purification through prāṇāyāma, showing that Linga-pūjā integrates ritual and yogic discipline.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By directing arghya “to That” (the Linga as the manifest sign), it implies Shiva as Pati—accessible through the sacred symbol—yet to be approached with inner steadiness (prāṇāyāma), indicating Shiva-tattva as both immanent in worship and transcendent to be realized inwardly.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse highlights prāṇāyāma-traya (threefold breath regulation) as a preparatory Pashupata-oriented yogic purification before offering upachāras to the Shiva-Linga, and notes worship may be done seated or standing with composure.