Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20
साधक-दीक्षा तथा मन्त्रसाधन
Puraścaraṇa and the Discipline of the Mantra-Sādhaka
अभिमंत्र्य च मन्त्रेण भक्ष्यभोज्यादिकानि च । साधने ऽस्मिन्विशेषेण नित्यं भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः
abhimaṃtrya ca mantreṇa bhakṣyabhojyādikāni ca | sādhane 'sminviśeṣeṇa nityaṃ bhuñjīta vāgyataḥ
Après avoir d’abord sanctifié par un mantra les mets et les nourritures, comme discipline particulière de cette sādhana, qu’on en prenne chaque jour avec une parole retenue—la langue maîtrisée et l’esprit recueilli en Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights inner discipline: mantra-sanitization and vāg-yama (speech-restraint) reduce outward distraction (tirodhāna of vikshepa) and stabilize worship, preparing the soul for Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that even ordinary acts like eating become purifying when offered to Śiva through mantra and performed with self-restraint—turning daily life into sādhana that loosens pāśa (bondage) and steadies devotion.
Mantra-consecration aligns the devotee’s senses with Saguna Śiva worship: as offerings are purified before the Liṅga, so food is sanctified before consumption, cultivating reverence and inner ritual continuity.
Before meals, recite a Śaiva mantra (commonly the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to consecrate the food, then eat mindfully with controlled speech—avoiding idle talk and keeping awareness anchored in Śiva.