Shloka 22
Śivarātri-vrata Udyāpana-vidhi
Completion Rite for the Śivarātri Observance
एवं पुष्पांजलिं दत्त्वा शिवाय परमात्मने । नमस्कारं ततः कुर्यात्प्रार्थनां पुनरेव च
evaṃ puṣpāṃjaliṃ dattvā śivāya paramātmane | namaskāraṃ tataḥ kuryātprārthanāṃ punareva ca
Thus, having offered a handful of flowers to Śiva, the Supreme Self, one should then make a reverent salutation and again offer a prayer.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: A procedural pūjā-step: offering puṣpāñjali to Śiva as Paramātman, followed by namaskāra and renewed prayer—typical of liṅga-worship sequences performed at major Śiva-kṣetras including Jyotirliṅgas.
Significance: Highlights that the external upacāra (flowers, namaskāra) should culminate in prārthanā—inner communion with the Paramātman—making pilgrimage a contemplative act, not mere sightseeing.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches a complete bhakti-act: offering (puṣpāñjali), surrender (namaskāra), and inner dependence on Śiva through prayer—recognizing Him as Paramātmā, the indwelling Supreme Lord who grants grace and liberation.
The verse describes the outward sequence of pūjā commonly performed before Śiva in saguna form—especially the Liṅga—where a simple flower-offering is followed by namaskāra and prārthanā, turning the ritual into devotion and grace-seeking.
Perform Śiva-pūjā by offering flowers with an añjali, bowing with humility, and repeating a heartfelt prayer—optionally accompanied by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while focusing on Śiva as Paramātmā.