Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
संध्यायाः शुद्धिः सूर्यलोकप्रवेशश्च — Purification of Sandhyā and Her Entry into the Solar Sphere
तां जग्राह तदा पुत्रीं मुनुरामोदसंयुतः । यज्ञार्थं तान्तु संस्नाप्य निजक्रोडे दधौ मुने
tāṃ jagrāha tadā putrīṃ munurāmodasaṃyutaḥ | yajñārthaṃ tāntu saṃsnāpya nijakroḍe dadhau mune
Alors le sage, rempli de joie, prit cette fille dans ses bras. L'ayant baignée pour le rite sacrificiel, ô sage, il la plaça sur ses propres genoux.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: The bathing and cradling of the manifested Devī underscores śuddhi (purificatory order) and saṃskāra as supports for dharma; in Siddhānta, such ordered rites refine the paśu’s karmic field, sustaining auspiciousness (sthiti) until higher initiation/grace dawns.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Post-yajña rite: bathing/purification and acceptance into lineage.
FAQs
It highlights the sanctifying role of dharmic rites—ritual bathing and careful preparation—showing how embodied life is introduced into sacred order (yajña) while ultimately pointing toward devotion to Shiva as the highest purifier.
Though the verse describes a Vedic-style rite, the Sati Khanda frames such purity and ceremonial acts as supportive disciplines; in Shaiva practice they become preparatory to Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Linga with śauca (purity), reverence, and right intention.
The immediate practice is snāna (ritual bathing) as purification before worship or yajña; for Shaiva devotees this aligns with bathing before Linga-pūjā, maintaining cleanliness, and entering worship with a steady mind and mantra-bhāva (e.g., remembrance of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).