Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 3
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
कुण्डं द्विहस्तमानं वा हस्तमात्रमथापि वा । वृत्तं वा चतुरस्रं वा कुर्याद्वेदिं च मण्डलम्
kuṇḍaṃ dvihastamānaṃ vā hastamātramathāpi vā | vṛttaṃ vā caturasraṃ vā kuryādvediṃ ca maṇḍalam
One should make a fire-pit (kuṇḍa) measuring either two cubits or even just one cubit. It may be circular or square; and one should also prepare the altar (vedī) and the ritual diagram (maṇḍala).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It emphasizes that Shaiva worship is grounded in orderly, sattvic preparation—creating a purified space (kunda, vedi, mandala) so the devotee’s intention and mantra can be offered to Pati (Shiva) with steadiness and clarity.
The verse gives practical instructions for the external framework of Saguna worship—arranging the ritual ground and altar so offerings and mantra (often centered on the Linga) are performed with proper form, supporting inner devotion toward Shiva.
It points to preparing for homa/puja: construct a small kunda (one or two cubits), establish a vedi, and draw a mandala—then proceed with mantra-japa and offerings as part of Shiva worship.