Shloka 21
संन्यासाचारवर्णनम्
Description of the Conduct and Daily Discipline of Saṃnyāsa
आपोवेत्यभिमंत्र्याथ जलं तेनैव सेचयेत् । ओमापोज्योतिरित्युक्त्वा मानस्तोकेति मंत्रतः
āpovetyabhimaṃtryātha jalaṃ tenaiva secayet | omāpojyotirityuktvā mānastoketi maṃtrataḥ
Having first sanctified the water with the mantra “Āpo vā…,” one should sprinkle with that very water. Then, uttering “Oṁ—Āpaḥ; Jyotiḥ (the waters, the divine light),” one should perform the rite in accordance with the mantra beginning “Mā nas toke…,” thus completing the purificatory sprinkling.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kailasa Samhita teaching as part of Shiva’s prescribed ritual procedure)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Mantra: आपो वा इति… (आपः-शुद्धि/प्रोक्षण-मन्त्रः) ॐ आपो ज्योतिरिति मा नः तोके… (वैदिक प्रार्थना-मन्त्रः)
Type: rudram
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that outer purification (sprinkling sanctified water) should be performed through mantra, aligning the worshipper’s body and mind with Shiva’s pure consciousness (Pati) before deeper worship.
Before offering to the Shiva-Linga, the devotee prepares the ritual space and self through Vedic mantras and praṇava-based remembrance, making the offerings fit for Saguna Shiva’s worship while pointing to the inner light (jyotiḥ).
Mantra-abhimantraṇa of water followed by prokṣaṇa (sprinkling) as a preparatory act for Shiva-pūjā/abhisheka, using praṇava and Vedic purification mantras to steady attention and cleanse impurities.