Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
प्रोक्षणीमर्ध्यपात्रं च पाद्यपात्रमतः परम् । तथैवाचमनीयस्य पात्रं चेति चतुष्टयम्
prokṣaṇīmardhyapātraṃ ca pādyapātramataḥ param | tathaivācamanīyasya pātraṃ ceti catuṣṭayam
He should arrange the four ritual vessels: the sprinkling ladle, the vessel for arghya, then the vessel for washing the feet (pādya), and likewise the vessel for ācamanīya—sipping the purifying water—thus forming a set of four.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes śaucā (ritual purity) and reverent hospitality in worship—approaching Lord Shiva as Pati with orderly offerings that refine the devotee’s intention and attention.
It gives practical requirements for Linga-pūjā: specific vessels for sprinkling and offerings (arghya, pādya, ācamanīya), reflecting Saguna upāsanā where devotion is expressed through precise, sanctifying acts.
Prepare the four vessels before pūjā and perform prokṣaṇa (sanctifying sprinkling) with mindful ācamanam; this supports steadiness for mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”