Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23
Adhyaya 59 — सूर्याद्यभिषेककथनम्
Surya and Related Abhisheka/ Cosmological Determinations
नादेयीश्चैव सामुद्रीः कूपाश्चैव तथा घनाः स्थावरा जङ्गमाश्चैव वापीकुल्यादिका अपः
nādeyīścaiva sāmudrīḥ kūpāścaiva tathā ghanāḥ sthāvarā jaṅgamāścaiva vāpīkulyādikā apaḥ
Waters are of many kinds: river-born and oceanic, drawn from wells and gathered from rain; some are still and some are moving—such as those of tanks, canals, and the like. These waters are to be understood as fit media for rites of purification and for offerings in Śiva’s worship.
Suta Goswami
FAQs
It lists acceptable categories of water used for śauca (purification) and for abhiṣeka/offering in Liṅga-pūjā, emphasizing that devotion may employ waters from many natural sources.
By permitting diverse waters for worship, it implies Śiva as Pati—the all-pervading Lord who is approached through purity of intention, not restricted by a single external medium, while still honoring ritual order.
Ritual purification (snāna/ācamana and preparation of puja-dravya) that supports Pāśupata discipline—outer cleansing as an aid to inner purification of the paśu from pāśa.