Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 61
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
अथवारोपयेत्पात्रे पञ्चदीपान्यथाक्रमम् । विदिक्ष्वपि च मध्ये च दीपमेकमथापि वा
athavāropayetpātre pañcadīpānyathākramam | vidikṣvapi ca madhye ca dīpamekamathāpi vā
Ou bien, qu’on dispose cinq lampes dans un récipient selon l’ordre prescrit, en les plaçant dans les directions intermédiaires et aussi au centre ; ou, si l’on veut, qu’on n’en place qu’une seule.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vāmadeva
Significance: Flexible lamp-arrangement (five or one) indicates upāsanā-sādhya accessibility; even minimal dīpa-upacāra sustains devotion and continuity of worship.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
The verse teaches that offering light to Shiva can be done elaborately (five lamps aligned with directions) or simply (one lamp), affirming that sincere bhakti and purity of intention are primary, while ritual detail is supportive.
In Saguna worship of Shiva as the Linga, the lamp symbolizes the awakening of inner knowledge before the Lord; arranging lamps by directions and the center expresses honoring Shiva’s all-pervading presence as Pati, the indwelling Lord of all quarters.
Perform dīpa-arpana: place five lamps around (and one in the center) during Shiva Puja, or at minimum offer a single lamp with mantra and steady attention—an accessible practice especially suited to Mahashivratri observance.