Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
स्नानोदके सुगन्धादि पानीये च विशेषतः । शीतलानि मनोज्ञानी कुसुमादीनि निक्षिपेत्
snānodake sugandhādi pānīye ca viśeṣataḥ | śītalāni manojñānī kusumādīni nikṣipet
Into the water meant for bathing—and especially into the drinking water—one should place fragrant substances, and also cool, pleasing flowers and the like.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Significance: Emphasizes śaucācāra (ritual purity) and upacāra refinement in Śiva-pūjā; such purity is taught as supportive to mantra-japa and liṅga-sevā, yielding steadiness of mind and devotion.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that devotion expresses itself through śauca (purity) and sāttvika care—making even water used in worship refined, fragrant, and pleasing—so the mind becomes calm and fit for Shiva-bhakti.
In Saguna worship, the Shiva-linga is honored through upacāras like snāna (ritual bathing) and offerings; preparing perfumed, cool water and flowers supports a proper abhiṣeka-oriented puja atmosphere.
A practical puja guideline: prepare bathing water with fragrance and add cool, pleasant flowers; while doing so, keep a focused, devotional mind and silently repeat Shiva’s mantra (e.g., the Panchakshara) during the offering.