Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama
कृत्वा हैमं शुभं पद्मं कर्णिकाकेसरान्वितम् नवरत्नैश् च खचितम् अष्टपत्रं यथाविधि
kṛtvā haimaṃ śubhaṃ padmaṃ karṇikākesarānvitam navaratnaiś ca khacitam aṣṭapatraṃ yathāvidhi
According to the prescribed rite, fashion an auspicious lotus of gold, complete with its karṇikā (central pericarp) and filaments, inlaid with the nine gems; and make it with eight petals, as is proper, as an offering in the worship of the Liṅga of Pati, Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja vidhi to the sages of Naimisharanya)
It prescribes a specific, rule-based upacāra: offering (or preparing) an auspicious eight-petalled golden lotus inlaid with navaratna, emphasizing purity, precision, and devotional excellence in Linga-pūjā.
By directing the finest, ritually perfect offering to the Linga, the verse implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme recipient of worship—whose grace severs Pāśa (bondage) and uplifts the Paśu (individual soul) when worship is performed with vidhi and bhakti.
A puja-vidhi detail: crafting/arranging an aṣṭapatra (eight-petalled) padma with karṇikā and kesara, adorned with navaratna, as a formal offering in Śaiva Linga worship (supportive of Pāśupata-aligned discipline through meticulous observance).