Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 67
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
न तु तत्र शिवोस्मीति बुद्धिं कुर्याद्विचक्षणः । भुक्त्वाचम्य शिवं ध्यात्वा हृदये मूलमुच्चरेत्
na tu tatra śivosmīti buddhiṃ kuryādvicakṣaṇaḥ | bhuktvācamya śivaṃ dhyātvā hṛdaye mūlamuccaret
But the discerning person should not, in that context, entertain the thought, “I am Śiva.” After eating and then performing ācamana, meditating on Śiva, one should in the heart recite the root-mantra (mūla-mantra).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: panchakshara
FAQs
It teaches disciplined humility in worship: rather than claiming identity with Śiva, the devotee should purify oneself, meditate on Śiva, and recite the root-mantra inwardly—aligning the soul with Pati through devotion and right practice.
The instruction supports Saguna-focused upāsanā: after daily acts like eating, one returns to ritual purity (ācamana) and contemplation of Śiva, sustaining continuous remembrance that strengthens linga-worship and personal devotion.
Perform ācamana after eating, meditate on Śiva, and recite the “mūla-mantra” in the heart—commonly understood in Shaiva practice as the Panchākṣarī mantra, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya,’ done with inner concentration.