Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
तैलाभ्यंगं च कुर्वीत वारान्दृष्ट्वा क्रमेण च । नित्यमभ्यंगके चैव वासितं वा न दूषितम्
tailābhyaṃgaṃ ca kurvīta vārāndṛṣṭvā krameṇa ca | nityamabhyaṃgake caiva vāsitaṃ vā na dūṣitam
Qu’on accomplisse l’onction-massage d’huile, en observant, dans l’ordre, les jours prescrits. Ce qui sert chaque jour au massage—même parfumé—n’est pas tenu pour impur.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma and ritual purity to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General household/ritual purity guidance about tailābhyaṅga (oil anointing) and what counts as dūṣita (defiled).
Significance: Supports daily discipline (nitya-kriyā) as a stabilizing sādhana; in Siddhānta, orderly conduct and purity support eligibility for pūjā and reception of anugraha.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that disciplined bodily care, done according to scriptural order, supports inner purity and steadiness for Shiva-bhakti; routine anointing and fragrance are not treated as spiritual defilement when used rightly.
In Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee maintains śauca (ritual cleanliness) and regulated habits so the body-mind becomes fit for Linga-pūjā, japa, and dhyāna; this verse clarifies what daily-use items are acceptable and non-polluting.
A regulated dinacharya that includes abhyanga (oil-massage) on appropriate days, supporting cleanliness before practices like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), wearing Rudraksha, and doing Panchakshara mantra japa.