Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 33
शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः
Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation
सुरत्नपूर्णं ससुवर्णतोयं सुकुंकुमाद्यं सकुशं सपुष्पम् । प्रदत्तमादाय सहेमपात्रं प्रशस्तमर्घ्यं भगवन्प्रसीद
suratnapūrṇaṃ sasuvarṇatoyaṃ sukuṃkumādyaṃ sakuśaṃ sapuṣpam | pradattamādāya sahemapātraṃ praśastamarghyaṃ bhagavanprasīda
Ô Bhagavān, sois favorable. Reçois cette offrande d’arghya excellente—emplie de gemmes précieuses, mêlée d’eau et d’or, parfumée de safran auspice et d’autres essences, accompagnée d’herbe kuśa et de fleurs—présentée dans un vase d’or.
A devotee (as narrated by Suta Goswami in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Models arghya as a bhakti-act that invites prasāda (grace) and purification of the worshipper.
Mantra: सुरत्नपूर्णं ससुवर्णतोयं सुकुंकुमाद्यं सकुशं सपुष्पम् । प्रदत्तमादाय सहेमपात्रं प्रशस्तमर्घ्यं भगवन्प्रसीद
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It expresses bhakti through a complete, reverent arghya—symbolizing surrender of wealth, purity, and intention—seeking Shiva’s prasāda (grace), which in Shaiva Siddhanta is the decisive aid for liberation.
Arghya is a standard upacāra in Saguna Shiva/Liṅga worship: the devotee honors Shiva as the living Lord present for worship, offering sanctified substances (water, kuśa, flowers, fragrance) to invite and please the Deity.
Perform arghya during Shiva-pūjā with clean water, flowers, kuśa, and fragrant substances while praying “bhagavan prasīda,” ideally alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).