Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 32
प्रास्थानिको महानादः पटहः समताड्यत । ततो मधुरवाद्यानि सह तालोद्यतैस्स्वनैः
prāsthāniko mahānādaḥ paṭahaḥ samatāḍyata | tato madhuravādyāni saha tālodyataissvanaiḥ
Au moment du départ, on frappa le grand tambour au grondement puissant. Puis retentirent de doux instruments, avec le tintement des cymbales levées et jouées en cadence.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it describes the formal commencement of a divine departure/procession marked by paṭaha (kettledrum), melodic instruments, and tāla (cymbals).
Significance: Models temple utsava culture: maṅgala-vādya accompanying deity processions; inspires devotees to participate in communal worship and kīrtana-like service.
FAQs
It portrays an auspicious commencement marked by sacred sound—drums and cymbals—which, in Shaiva practice, supports bhakti by gathering the mind and community toward Shiva-centered action.
Such musical accompaniment commonly belongs to Saguna Shiva worship—processions, pūjā, and celebratory rites—where sound (nāda) becomes an offering (upacāra) to the Linga and the manifest Lord.
Use disciplined sacred sound: accompany worship with rhythmic tāla and devotional singing, or internalize nāda through mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a steady, reverent cadence.