Shloka 16
Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna
पद्ममष्टदलं कृत्वा कुंकुमाक्ताक्षतैश्शुभैः । पूजयेत्तत्र रुद्रादीन्सर्वान्देवान्सुभक्तितः
padmamaṣṭadalaṃ kṛtvā kuṃkumāktākṣataiśśubhaiḥ | pūjayettatra rudrādīnsarvāndevānsubhaktitaḥ
Habiendo trazado un loto de ocho pétalos (maṇḍala) y, con granos de arroz íntegros y auspiciosos ungidos con azafrán, debe adorarse allí—comenzando por Rudra—a todas las deidades, con sincera devoción.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Uma Samhita’s instructional discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Mandala-worship centered on Rudra sacralizes the rite; devotion (bhakti) is foregrounded as the inner condition for Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that ordered worship (vidhi) rooted in devotion (bhakti) purifies the practitioner: by placing Rudra first, the worship is aligned to Pati (Lord Shiva) as the inner Lord, and the honoring of all devas becomes harmonized rather than scattered.
The lotus-maṇḍala and offerings are outward supports for Saguna worship—helping the mind rest in reverence. Beginning with Rudra reflects the Shaiva view that all divine functions are fulfilled through Shiva, and thus Linga/Śiva worship integrates the reverence of all deities.
Create an eight-petaled lotus diagram, offer kumkuma-tinted akṣata, and worship with focused devotion—ideally accompanied by Shiva-mantra japa (such as the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady attention while performing puja.