Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 43
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
सुगंधामलकं दद्याद्धरिद्रां च यथाक्रमम् । ततः संशोध्य सलिलैर्लिंगं बेरमथापि वा
sugaṃdhāmalakaṃ dadyāddharidrāṃ ca yathākramam | tataḥ saṃśodhya salilairliṃgaṃ beramathāpi vā
Qu’on offre d’abord l’āmalaka parfumé, puis le curcuma (haridrā) selon l’ordre prescrit. Ensuite, après purification par l’eau, qu’on nettoie le Śiva-liṅga — ou de même l’icône sacrée (bera).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Teaches that both liṅga and bera (icon) are valid loci of Śiva’s presence for worship; purity and sequence (yathākrama) are themselves devotional disciplines leading toward grace.
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that orderly, reverent purification and offerings during Śiva worship cultivate inner śuddhi (purity) and devotion, supporting the devotee’s orientation toward Pati (Śiva) in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
The verse explicitly instructs cleansing and honoring the liṅga (and even the bera/icon), affirming Saguna worship as a valid, embodied means to approach the transcendent Lord through ritual purity and loving service.
A practical takeaway is to perform pūjā/abhisheka by offering fragrant āmalaka and turmeric in sequence, then washing the liṅga (or icon) with clean water—ideally accompanied by Śiva-mantra japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).