Shloka 66
पार्थिवप्रतिमापूजाविधानम्
Pārthiva-pratimā Pūjā-vidhāna — Procedure for Worship of an Earthen Icon
मार्गशीर्षे ह्युषःकाले दिनत्रयमथापि वा । यजेद्देवान्भोगकामो नाधनुर्मासिको भवेत्
mārgaśīrṣe hyuṣaḥkāle dinatrayamathāpi vā | yajeddevānbhogakāmo nādhanurmāsiko bhavet
In the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, at dawn, one who longs for worldly enjoyments should worship the gods for three days (or at least for that span). By this, he is not bound to the restrictive observance of the Dhanurmāsa vow.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Seasonal/temporal observance (Mārgaśīrṣa dawn worship) is presented as a means to regulate desire (bhoga-kāma) and avoid stricter binding vows—hinting at how discipline manages bondage (pāśa).
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It distinguishes desire-motivated worship (bhoga) from stricter vow-based disciplines, emphasizing timely dawn practice and regulated observance rather than compulsion—an early step toward refining intention in Shaiva sadhana.
Though it mentions worship of the devas, in the Shiva Purana’s devotional hierarchy such rites are ideally integrated under devotion to Saguna Shiva (Linga worship), where timing (uṣaḥkāla) and discipline purify the worshipper’s aim.
Perform worship at dawn during Mārgaśīrṣa for three days—simple morning pūjā with mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) can be taken as the Shaiva-aligned practice, even when the stated intent is worldly benefit.