Shloka 19
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
संपूज्य मनसा पूर्वं कुर्यात्तत्तत्सदा नरः । देवानां पूजया चैव तत्तल्लोकमवाप्नुयात्
saṃpūjya manasā pūrvaṃ kuryāttattatsadā naraḥ | devānāṃ pūjayā caiva tattallokamavāpnuyāt
Having first offered worship inwardly with the mind, a person should then continually perform the corresponding rite of worship; and by worshipping the gods, one attains the realm belonging to that deity.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches that worship begins internally (manasa-puja) and then expresses outwardly; the fruit of such devotion is proportional—worship of a given deity yields that deity’s realm, while Shaiva teaching ultimately points beyond all lokas toward liberation through devotion to Pati (Shiva).
It supports the Shaiva principle that inner reverence must precede outer ritual; applied to Saguna Shiva and the Linga, mental worship (bhava) empowers the external offerings, and the devotee’s aim can be elevated from deva-loka results to Shiva’s grace leading toward mukti.
Practice manasa-puja before formal puja: inwardly offer water, flowers, and reverence, then perform external worship; this can be paired with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and traditional Shaiva supports like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and devotion.