Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
पुष्पार्पण-विनिर्णयः
Determination of Flower-Offerings to Śiva
धान्यमानमिति प्रोक्तं मया ते मुनिसत्तम । लक्षमानं तु पुष्पाणां शृणु प्रीत्या मुनीश्वर
dhānyamānamiti proktaṃ mayā te munisattama | lakṣamānaṃ tu puṣpāṇāṃ śṛṇu prītyā munīśvara
“Thus have I explained to you, O best of sages, the measure called ‘dhānya-māna’ (the grain-measure). Now, O lord among sages, listen with glad attention as I describe the ‘lakṣa-māna’—the measure used for flowers.”
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes disciplined, attentive worship: devotion (bhakti) is supported by right order and clarity in ritual offerings, reflecting the Shaiva view that sincere practice and proper method together purify the devotee.
In Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-puja—offerings like grains and flowers are central. This passage frames the practical standards (māna, “measure”) so the devotee’s offerings are consistent and respectful, aiding focused reverence toward Shiva’s manifest form.
It suggests careful, attentive puja—measuring offerings properly (especially flowers) and listening to scriptural guidance with prīti (joyful devotion), which can be paired with mantra-japa such as the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) during offerings.