Shloka 55
प्रणवार्थ-शिवतत्त्व-निर्णयः
The Determination of Śiva as the Meaning of Praṇava
पाद्यं दत्त्वा स्वयमपि क्षालितांघ्रिरुदङ्मुखः । आचम्य युग्मक्लृप्तांस्तानासनेषूपवेश्य च
pādyaṃ dattvā svayamapi kṣālitāṃghrirudaṅmukhaḥ | ācamya yugmaklṛptāṃstānāsaneṣūpaveśya ca
Après avoir offert l’eau pour le lavage des pieds (pādya), il se lava lui-même les pieds, le visage tourné vers le nord. Puis, ayant accompli l’ācamana (gorgée rituelle de purification), il fit asseoir ces hôtes honorés sur les sièges préparés, disposés par paires.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that purity and humility are essential in Shaiva conduct: honoring others through pādya and maintaining inner-outer cleanliness through ācamana supports devotion (bhakti) and dharmic living, which prepares the mind for Shiva-realization.
The same pūjā-upacāras used for Saguna Shiva and the Shiva Linga—such as pādya and ācamana—are extended to honored guests and devotees, reflecting the Shaiva view that serving Shiva’s devotees is a direct form of serving Shiva.
Perform basic purification (ācamana) and follow orderly upacāras (like offering pādya) before worship or sacred interaction; it emphasizes mindful ritual discipline and respectful preparation of the worship space.