Shloka 27
शिवालये ततो गत्वा पूजयित्वा यथाविधि । नमस्कृत्य शिवं पश्चात्संकल्पं सम्यगाचरेत्
śivālaye tato gatvā pūjayitvā yathāvidhi | namaskṛtya śivaṃ paścātsaṃkalpaṃ samyagācaret
Then, having gone to Śiva’s temple and worshipped Him according to the prescribed rite, one should bow to Lord Śiva; thereafter, one should properly undertake the saṅkalpa—the solemn devotional resolve.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Establishes adhikāra for vrata/pujā by approaching Śiva in His ālaya, performing vidhi-pūjā, namaskāra, and then saṅkalpa—seen as the proper gateway to Śiva’s grace and removal of impediments.
FAQs
It teaches that devotion must be joined with right method: first approach Śiva’s abode, worship as enjoined (vidhi), bow in humility, and then form a clear saṅkalpa—aligning mind, speech, and action toward Śiva as Pati (Lord) and liberator.
In Jyotirliṅga and temple contexts, Śiva is approached as saguna—worshipped through form, rite, and reverence. The verse emphasizes the traditional sequence: darśana/approach, pūjā, namaskāra, and then saṅkalpa to complete the act as conscious liṅga-bhakti rather than a casual visit.
It suggests performing pūjā ‘yathāvidhi’ and making a saṅkalpa after bowing—practically, a devotee may take a vow for the pilgrimage/vrata (e.g., Mahāśivarātri), and support it with mantra-japa (such as Pañcākṣarī: Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while maintaining purity and focus.