Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
दक्षस्य यज्ञप्रवृत्तिः तथा ईश्वरवर्जितदेवसमागमः
Dakṣa’s Sacrificial Undertaking and the Devas’ Assembly without Īśvara
पादात्तथोरुदेशाच्च पृष्ठात्पार्श्वान्मुखाद्गलात् । गुह्याद्गुल्फाच्छिरोमध्यात्कंठादास्यात्तथोदरात्
pādāttathorudeśācca pṛṣṭhātpārśvānmukhādgalāt | guhyādgulphācchiromadhyātkaṃṭhādāsyāttathodarāt
Des pieds, de la région des cuisses, du dos et des flancs; du visage et de la gorge; de l’organe secret et des chevilles; du milieu de la tête, du cou, de la bouche, et pareillement du ventre—tels sont les lieux dont il est parlé.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It enumerates key bodily regions as a contemplative map, pointing to inner discipline where the embodied pashu (individual soul) turns awareness inward toward Pati (Shiva), loosening pasha (bondage) through purification and right knowledge.
It supports internal (antar) worship alongside external Linga worship: the devotee reveres Shiva not only in a consecrated emblem but also by sanctifying the body as a field for Shiva-oriented awareness, aligning the limited self with Saguna Shiva’s gracious presence leading toward the Nirguna truth.
A practical takeaway is limb-by-limb mindfulness during japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) or during bhasma/tripundra application—remembering Shiva while purifying the body and senses, and restraining lower impulses associated with these regions.