Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 60
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
कवचेन समाच्छाद्य संरक्ष्यास्त्रेण सर्वतः । धेनुमुद्रां च संदर्श्य पाणिभ्यां पात्रमुद्धरेत्
kavacena samācchādya saṃrakṣyāstreṇa sarvataḥ | dhenumudrāṃ ca saṃdarśya pāṇibhyāṃ pātramuddharet
L’ayant recouvert du kavaca protecteur et l’ayant gardé de toutes parts par l’Astra-mantra, qu’il montre la Dhenumudrā puis, des deux mains, soulève le récipient rituel.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Significance: Rakṣā-vidhi (kavaca/astra) removes obstacles and protects the rite; aligns the sādhaka with Śiva’s guardianship before handling consecrated implements.
Type: kavaca
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: protective
FAQs
It teaches that sacred acts in Shiva worship should be protected by mantra—first establishing a protective boundary (kavaca, astra) and then proceeding with reverent, controlled action, reflecting Shaiva discipline where outer ritual supports inner purity and steadiness of consciousness.
The verse describes preparatory safeguards used in Saguna Shiva worship—especially in linga-puja—where the worshipper sanctifies and protects the ritual space and implements so the offering is made in a consecrated, obstruction-free state dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It suggests mantra-nyasa/protective recitation (kavaca and astra), followed by the Dhenumudrā gesture before lifting the pātra—an instruction emphasizing mindful hand-gestures (mudrā) and mantra-based protection during Shiva puja.