Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 58
समयाह्वय-संस्कारः — Rite of ‘Samayāhvaya’ and the Preparatory Layout
Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha
उपवेश्य यथापूर्वं तं गुरुर्दर्भविष्टरे । संपूज्य मंडलं देवं करन्यासं समाचरेत्
upaveśya yathāpūrvaṃ taṃ gururdarbhaviṣṭare | saṃpūjya maṃḍalaṃ devaṃ karanyāsaṃ samācaret
Having seated him as before, the Guru upon a seat of darbha grass should duly worship the divine maṇḍala of the Lord and then perform kara-nyāsa—the ritual placing of mantra-power upon the hands—so that the worship of Śiva proceeds with consecrated awareness and right method.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Mantra: (implied for kara-nyāsa) oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It emphasizes that Śiva-worship is not merely external: the Guru establishes right order—seat, maṇḍala, and nyāsa—so the devotee’s body and intention become fit instruments for mantra and grace (anugraha), aligning the pashu (bound soul) toward Pati (Śiva).
The maṇḍala is a saguna support for concentration, just like the Liṅga; worshipping it and then doing kara-nyāsa prepares the hands for proper offerings to Śiva, ensuring the ritual acts are performed as consecrated service rather than ordinary action.
It specifically prescribes kara-nyāsa (mantra-imposition on the hands) after worship of the maṇḍala—an internalization practice that sanctifies touch and action before continuing Śiva-pūjā (often alongside japa such as the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’).