Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः
Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi
स्त्रीभिश्च शूद्रवत्कार्यं मृदाग्रहणमुत्तमम् । हस्तौ पादौ च प्रक्षाल्य पूर्ववन्मृदमाहरेत्
strībhiśca śūdravatkāryaṃ mṛdāgrahaṇamuttamam | hastau pādau ca prakṣālya pūrvavanmṛdamāharet
Les femmes doivent accomplir l’excellent rite de prendre la terre purificatrice selon la manière prescrite pour les Śūdra. Après s’être lavé les mains et les pieds, qu’on recueille ensuite la terre comme il a été dit auparavant.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Frames śauca as an accessible prerequisite for Śiva-bhakti across social categories, emphasizing eligibility-through-discipline rather than birth alone.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes that approaching Śiva’s worship begins with śauca (purity) and disciplined preparation; the act of cleansing and collecting purifying earth symbolizes removing outward impurity while cultivating inward steadiness and devotion.
Linga-pūjā in the Śiva Purāṇa is performed with careful observances; washing hands and feet and preparing cleansing earth supports a ritually fit body-mind, so the devotee can offer upacāras to Saguna Śiva with focus and reverence.
A practical takeaway is preliminary purification—wash hands and feet and then prepare cleansing earth as instructed earlier—before beginning Śiva worship, mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī), or applying sacred ash (Tripuṇḍra) where applicable.