Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites
Morning Purity & Bath Procedure
अथ वैतत्स्वसूत्रोक्तं कृत्वा हस्तौ विशोधयेत् । करन्यासं ततः कृत्वा सकलीकृतविग्रहः
atha vaitatsvasūtroktaṃ kṛtvā hastau viśodhayet | karanyāsaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā sakalīkṛtavigrahaḥ
Luego, habiendo cumplido lo prescrito en el propio sūtra ritual, purifíquense las manos. Después, realizado el kara-nyāsa, el devoto—cuyo cuerpo ha sido ‘hecho completo’ por mantra y nyāsa—prosigue adelante.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Emphasizes adhikāra (ritual fitness): purification and nyāsa transform the bound soul (paśu) into a qualified worshipper fit to approach Pati through mantra.
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva worship is not casual: the sādhaka purifies the instruments of action (the hands) and ‘completes’ the body through nyāsa so it becomes fit to approach Pati (Shiva) with mantra-filled awareness, reducing pasha-bound impurity and distraction.
Before external Linga-pūjā, the devotee performs internal consecration—hand purification and kara-nyāsa—so the act of offering becomes a disciplined, mantra-guided service to Saguna Shiva, where the body functions as an aligned vehicle of worship.
Purify the hands as prescribed by one’s tradition, then perform kara-nyāsa (mantra placement on the fingers/palms), establishing mantra-shakti in the limbs before continuing with Shiva worship.