Shloka 15
Śiva-Naivedya-Grāhyatā-Nirṇayaḥ
On the Proper Acceptance and Merit of Śiva’s Consecrated Food-Offering
ब्रह्महापि शुचिर्भूत्वा निर्माल्यं यस्तु धारयेत् । भक्षयित्वा द्रुतं तस्य सर्वपापं प्रणश्यति
brahmahāpi śucirbhūtvā nirmālyaṃ yastu dhārayet | bhakṣayitvā drutaṃ tasya sarvapāpaṃ praṇaśyati
Même le meurtrier d’un brāhmaṇa, après s’être purifié, s’il porte le nirmālya du Seigneur—les restes sanctifiés du culte de Śiva—et s’il en mange, tous ses péchés s’évanouissent promptement.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a site-myth but a doctrinal claim: Śiva’s nirmālya (garlands/remnants) functions as a potent purifier capable of burning even mahāpātaka (e.g., brahmahatyā) when approached with prior purification and devotion.
Significance: Frames temple remnants (nirmālya) as a grace-medium: the bound soul (paśu) is released from pāśa (sin/impurity) through contact with Śiva’s sanctified remnants.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s nirmālya/prasāda carries purifying grace: even severe karmic stains are said to be dissolved when one approaches with purity and reverence, emphasizing bhakti as a powerful means of inner cleansing.
Nirmālya arises from Saguna worship—offerings made to the Śiva-liṅga and then received back as sanctified remnants. The verse highlights a concrete ritual channel through which the devotee receives Śiva’s anugraha (grace).
After becoming ritually clean, respectfully wear and honor Śiva’s nirmālya (prasāda/remnants from liṅga-pūjā). This is a devotional observance aligned with temple worship and can be paired with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).