Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
अवभृथस्नान-तीर्थयात्रा-तेजोदर्शनम् | Avabhṛtha Bath, Tīrtha-Pilgrimage, and the Vision of Divine Radiance
तदा ते हिमवत्पादात्पंततीं दक्षिणामुखीम् । दृष्ट्वा भागीरथी तत्र स्नात्वा तत्तीरतो ययुः
tadā te himavatpādātpaṃtatīṃ dakṣiṇāmukhīm | dṛṣṭvā bhāgīrathī tatra snātvā tattīrato yayuḥ
Ils virent alors la Bhāgīrathī (le Gaṅgā) descendre du pied de l’Himavat et s’écouler vers le sud. Après s’y être baignés, ils quittèrent cette rive sacrée.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) is seen descending from Himavat; her descent evokes the broader Gaṅgā-avataraṇa myth where Śiva bears and releases her for the world’s purification.
Significance: Snāna at Gaṅgā’s tīrtha is a paradigmatic purifier; it prepares pilgrims for entry into higher kṣetras such as Kāśī.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights tīrtha-snāna (bathing at a sacred ford) as an outer act of purification that supports inner purity—reducing mala and strengthening readiness for Shiva-bhakti and liberating knowledge (jñāna) in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
In Shaiva practice, approaching Śiva—often through Liṅga worship—is preceded by śauca (purity). Bathing in a revered tīrtha like Bhāgīrathī is a preparatory observance that steadies the devotee for saguna-upāsanā (devotional worship with form) and deeper contemplation of Shiva as Pati.
Perform tīrtha-snāna with a prayerful mind, then continue pilgrimage or worship; traditionally one may add japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and offer water (jala) in devotion, maintaining inner restraint and remembrance of Shiva.