Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 19
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
सुयशां सुव्रतामम्बां पादमण्डनतत्पराम् । पूजयित्वा प्रविश्यान्तर्भवनं परमेष्ठिनः
suyaśāṃ suvratāmambāṃ pādamaṇḍanatatparām | pūjayitvā praviśyāntarbhavanaṃ parameṣṭhinaḥ
Après avoir honoré Ambā—illustre par sa noble renommée et ses vœux inébranlables, toujours appliquée à parer et à servir avec révérence les pieds—il entra ensuite dans la demeure intérieure de Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Ambā
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights bhakti expressed as reverent honoring of the Divine Mother (Ambā) before approaching higher realms of authority and knowledge (Brahmā’s inner abode), emphasizing humility and auspiciousness as prerequisites for spiritual progress.
In Shaiva practice, approaching Saguna realities—Śiva with form and His divine śakti—begins with pūjā and respectful service. Ambā here represents Śiva’s śakti, and honoring her aligns the devotee with auspicious power (anugraha) that supports right worship.
It suggests pūjā with a service-attitude (sevā-bhāva): honoring the divine feet (pāda-sevā) as a symbol of surrender—practically expressed through offerings, mantra-japa (e.g., pañcākṣarī), and entering worship with purity and reverence.