Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 44
षडध्व-शुद्धिः
Purification of the Six Adhvans / Sixfold Cosmic Path
रेखात्रयं च परितो भस्मना तिलसर्षपैः । कृत्वास्त्रजप्तैस्तद्वाह्ये दिगीशानां बलिं हरेत्
rekhātrayaṃ ca parito bhasmanā tilasarṣapaiḥ | kṛtvāstrajaptaistadvāhye digīśānāṃ baliṃ haret
Avec la cendre consacrée (bhasma), mêlée de graines de sésame et de moutarde, qu’on trace tout autour les trois lignes sacrées. Puis, à l’extérieur de l’espace ainsi marqué—après les avoir sanctifiées par la récitation de mantras—qu’on offre le bali (oblations) aux Seigneurs des Directions.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Mantra: (implied) astra-mantra (protective ‘weapon’ mantra) used to consecrate bhasma/tilasarṣapa and the boundary; specific wording not quoted in the verse.
Type: kavaca
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: protective
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva worship is safeguarded by purity and protection: Tripuṇḍra-bhasma marks the devotee’s alignment with Shiva, while offering bali to the directional guardians harmonizes the surrounding forces so the rite proceeds without obstruction.
Before approaching Saguna Shiva in ritual—often through Liṅga worship—one establishes a sanctified, protected space. The ash-lines and mantra-consecration function as preparatory disciplines that support focused devotion and orderly pūjā.
Draw three protective ash-lines (Tripuṇḍra-style marking) using bhasma with sesame and mustard, consecrate with a protective mantra (Astra-japa), and make a respectful bali offering to the guardians of the directions outside the boundary.