Shloka 72
गजाननपूजा तथा औपासन-होमविधिः
Worship of Gajānana and the Procedure of Aupāsana-Homa
प्राच्यां दिश्यप उद्धृत्य प्रक्षिपेदजलिं ततः । शिखां यज्ञोपवीतं च यत्रोत्पाट्य च पाणिना
prācyāṃ diśyapa uddhṛtya prakṣipedajaliṃ tataḥ | śikhāṃ yajñopavītaṃ ca yatrotpāṭya ca pāṇinā
Rising and facing the eastern direction, he should offer a reverential handful of water. Thereafter, with his own hand—wherever he may be—he should cast off the topknot (śikhā) and the sacred thread (yajñopavīta), signifying inner renunciation as he turns toward Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed observances to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that true approach to Śiva requires inner renunciation: external identities and ritual status-symbols are set aside so the seeker stands before Pati (Śiva) with humility, purity, and detachment.
Before Linga-worship, the devotee performs acts of purification and surrender—offering water and relinquishing worldly/ritual self-identifications—so the worship becomes an act of wholehearted refuge in Saguna Śiva, leading toward realization of His transcendent nature.
It indicates a preparatory rite: face east, offer water with añjali as a gesture of reverence, and cultivate vairāgya (detachment). Practically, this pairs well with mental japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while letting go of ego and external markers.