Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 60
न्यासत्रैविध्य-भूतशुद्धि-प्रक्रिया
Threefold Nyāsa and the Procedure of Elemental Purification
बहिर्यागोपचारेण देवं देवीं च पूजयेत् । अथवा पूजयेन्नित्यं लिंगे वा कृतकेपि वा । वह्नौ वा स्थण्डिले वाथ भक्त्या वित्तानुसारतः । अथवांतर्बहिश्चैव पूजयेत्परमेश्वरम् । अंतर्यागरतः पूजां बहिः कुर्वीत वा न वा
bahiryāgopacāreṇa devaṃ devīṃ ca pūjayet | athavā pūjayennityaṃ liṃge vā kṛtakepi vā | vahnau vā sthaṇḍile vātha bhaktyā vittānusārataḥ | athavāṃtarbahiścaiva pūjayetparameśvaram | aṃtaryāgarataḥ pūjāṃ bahiḥ kurvīta vā na vā
On doit vénérer le Dieu et la Déesse par des rites et des offrandes extérieurs. Ou bien l’on peut adorer chaque jour—dans le Liṅga ou même dans une image façonnée; dans le feu sacré ou sur un autel consacré—selon ses moyens, avec bhakti. Ou encore, l’on peut vénérer le Seigneur Suprême au-dedans et au-dehors. Pour celui qui demeure dans le sacrifice intérieur (antaryāga), le culte extérieur peut être accompli—ou même omis.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific māhātmya; the verse teaches a general hierarchy/optionality of bāhya-pūjā (external upacāras) and antaryāga (inner worship) for Śiva-Śakti, allowing liṅga, pratimā, agni, or sthaṇḍila as supports according to adhikāra and means.
Significance: Frames pilgrimage and temple worship as valid supports, yet affirms that inner worship (antaryāga) can be spiritually sufficient when mature—emphasizing bhakti and capacity over display.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva-worship is valid in multiple modes—outer ritual and inner contemplation—and that inner sacrifice (antaryāga) can be spiritually sufficient when grounded in devotion and right intent, aligning with the Shaiva view that the Lord is accessible both as immanent (within) and manifest (in ritual forms).
It explicitly affirms daily worship in the Liṅga (a primary Saguna support for devotion) as well as worship in a crafted image, in fire (homa), or on an altar—showing that Saguna supports are legitimate aids for focusing bhakti and reverence toward Parameśvara.
Ritually, it recommends simple daily pūjā according to one’s means—Liṅga-pūjā, homa, or altar worship. Meditatively, it points to antaryāga (mental/inner worship), where the devotee offers reverence inwardly; external rites become optional for one firmly established in inner devotion.