Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 46
आवरणपूजाविधानम् / The Procedure of Āvaraṇa (Enclosure) Worship
केवलं मृन्मये वापि पुण्यारण्ये ऽथ वा गिरौ । नद्यां देवालये ऽन्यत्र देशे वाथ गृहे शुभे
kevalaṃ mṛnmaye vāpi puṇyāraṇye 'tha vā girau | nadyāṃ devālaye 'nyatra deśe vātha gṛhe śubhe
Que ce soit seulement avec une simple image/un autel de terre, ou dans une forêt sacrée, ou sur une montagne ; ou sur la rive d’un fleuve, dans un temple, ou en tout autre lieu—même dans une demeure de bon augure—c’est là que l’adoration de Śiva doit être accomplie.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse generalizes sacred geography: Śiva’s worship is not confined to a single kṣetra; forests, mountains, riversides, temples, and homes can all become śiva-kṣetra through devotion and purity.
Significance: Encourages both pilgrimage and localized practice: any place can be sanctified for Śiva-pūjā, supporting continuous remembrance (smaraṇa) and daily worship.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s grace is not restricted to elite settings; sincere devotion (bhakti) and purity of intent make any suitable place—forest, mountain, riverbank, temple, or home—fit for Śiva-upāsanā, aligning with the Shaiva Siddhānta emphasis on the Lord’s compassionate accessibility to the bound soul (paśu).
By mentioning even an earthen setup, it supports simple, saguna forms of worship—such as an earthen liṅga or altar—affirming that liṅga-pūjā can be rightly performed without elaborate materials, so long as it is done with reverence and proper intent.
It implies practical Śiva-pūjā anywhere appropriate: establish a clean spot (even with an earthen liṅga), offer water (especially near rivers), and perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady devotion; this is especially applicable for home worship and Mahāśivarātri observances.