Maṇḍala–Pūjā–Homa Krama
Maṇḍala Worship and Homa Sequence for the Disciple
अथ पूजां विना सर्वं कृत्वा पूर्वदिने यथा । नेत्रबंधनपर्यंतं दर्शयेन्मण्डलं गुरुः
atha pūjāṃ vinā sarvaṃ kṛtvā pūrvadine yathā | netrabaṃdhanaparyaṃtaṃ darśayenmaṇḍalaṃ guruḥ
Then, without performing the formal worship, the guru should do everything just as on the previous day, and he should show the maṇḍala up to the stage of binding the eyes (netra-bandhana).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
It emphasizes disciplined, guru-guided ritual preparation: the maṇḍala is revealed in a graded way, showing that sacred knowledge and vision are unfolded step-by-step under proper guidance in the Shaiva path.
The maṇḍala functions as an ordered sacred field for Saguna Shiva worship, where the practitioner approaches Shiva through consecrated forms and procedures before deeper contemplative realization.
It points to a dīkṣā-style sequence involving a maṇḍala and the 'netra-bandhana' step—symbolically restraining ordinary sight so the disciple may be led toward purified, mantra-guided inner vision.