Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 69
द्वितीयतृतीयावरणपूजाक्रमः | The Sequence of the Second and Third Enclosure Worship (Āvaraṇa-pūjā)
सर्वावरणदेवानां बहिर्वा पञ्चमे ऽथवा । पञ्चमे मातृभिस्सार्धं महोक्ष पुरतो यजेत्
sarvāvaraṇadevānāṃ bahirvā pañcame 'thavā | pañcame mātṛbhissārdhaṃ mahokṣa purato yajet
One should worship all the deities of the protective enclosures (āvaraṇa), either outside or within the fifth enclosure. In that fifth enclosure, together with the Mātṛkās (the Mothers), one should perform worship with Mahokṣa, the Great Bull, placed in front—honouring the Lord’s retinue in proper order before approaching the Supreme Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Proper āvaraṇa-pūjā with Nandī and Mātṛkās is taught as a means to remove impediments and make the worshipper fit (adhikārin) to approach Śiva.
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: protective
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that approaching Shiva is done with reverence for the divine order: the protective deities and Shiva’s attendants are honoured first, reflecting humility and alignment with Pati (Shiva) through his sacred entourage.
In Linga/Saguna worship, the ‘āvaraṇa’ (enclosures) represent supporting powers around the central reality of Shiva; worshipping them—especially with Nandi before the shrine—completes the rite and stabilizes devotion toward the Linga.
Perform āvaraṇa-pūjā in sequence, placing/worshipping Nandi (Mahokṣa) facing the main Shiva focus, and honouring the Mātṛkās in the prescribed enclosure before proceeding to the principal offerings.