Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 16
नैमित्तिकविधिक्रमः
Occasional Rites and Their Procedure
निर्मितानुगुणाः कार्याः पुरश्चरणपूर्विकाः । शिवानले च विहते पुनस्सन्धानमाचरेत्
nirmitānuguṇāḥ kāryāḥ puraścaraṇapūrvikāḥ | śivānale ca vihate punassandhānamācaret
The sacred acts should be performed in a manner consistent with what has been duly prepared, and they should be preceded by puraścaraṇa (disciplined mantra-practice). And if the Śiva-fire—the consecrated ritual fire—is disturbed or extinguished, one should again perform sandhāna, the rite of re-establishing it.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Highlights ritual continuity and correctness (kriyā) as stabilizing supports for the bound soul; re-establishing the Śiva-fire symbolizes restoring dharma and inner steadiness after disruption.
Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It emphasizes that Śiva-worship must be steady, disciplined, and properly ordered—outer ritual continuity mirrors inner steadiness of devotion and mantra-japa, which supports purification and readiness for Śiva’s grace.
In Saguna Śiva worship, consecrated supports like the Śiva-agni and prescribed procedures safeguard the sanctity of the rite; if the ritual support is broken, it must be restored so the worship remains ritually complete and effective.
It points to puraścaraṇa—structured mantra practice (japa with supporting disciplines)—and instructs sandhāna, the re-establishment of the consecrated Śiva-fire if it is interrupted.