Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 49
मन्त्रसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपूजा–आज्ञा–पौरश्चर्यविधिः / Guru-Authorization, Offerings, and Puraścaraṇa for Mantra-Siddhi
अपवित्रकरो ऽशुद्धो विलपन्न जपेत्क्वचित् । क्रोधं मदं क्षुतं त्रीणि निष्ठीवनविजृंभणे । दर्शनं च श्वनीचानां वर्जयेज्जपकर्मणि । आचमेत्संभवे तेषां स्मरेद्वा मां त्वया सह
apavitrakaro 'śuddho vilapanna japetkvacit | krodhaṃ madaṃ kṣutaṃ trīṇi niṣṭhīvanavijṛṃbhaṇe | darśanaṃ ca śvanīcānāṃ varjayejjapakarmaṇi | ācametsaṃbhave teṣāṃ smaredvā māṃ tvayā saha
One who is impure in body and conduct should never perform japa while wailing. During japa one should avoid anger, intoxication, and sneezing; likewise spitting and yawning, and even the sight or company of dogs and the ignoble. If any of these occur, one should perform ācamana (ritual sipping of water for purification) and then resume by remembering Me—together with you, My Śakti.
Lord Shiva (teaching within the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā discourse as transmitted by Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Frames inner and outer purity as the gateway to grace (anugraha) in mantra practice; reinforces temple-like purity even in household japa.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa is not merely mechanical repetition; it requires inner purity, restraint from reactive states (like anger and intoxication), and quick re-centering through purification (ācamana) and remembrance of Śiva, the Pati who removes impurity (mala).
Japa is a primary limb of Saguna Śiva worship (often alongside Linga-pūjā). The verse emphasizes maintaining śauca and steadiness so the devotee’s mind can remain anchored in the form and presence of Śiva; when disturbed, one purifies and returns to remembrance rather than continuing inattentively.
Avoid japa while emotionally distraught and avoid disruptions like spitting/yawning; if sneezing or similar faults occur, perform ācamana and then resume japa by recollecting Śiva together with Śakti—supporting focused repetition of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) where applicable.