Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 5
शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites
Morning Purity & Bath Procedure
आचम्य विधिवत्पश्चाद्वारुणं स्नानमाचरेत् । नद्यां वा देवखाते वा ह्रदे वाथ गृहे ऽपि वा
ācamya vidhivatpaścādvāruṇaṃ snānamācaret | nadyāṃ vā devakhāte vā hrade vātha gṛhe 'pi vā
Sesudah melakukan ācamana menurut tata cara, hendaknya menjalankan mandi Vāruṇa (penyucian dengan air). Ini dapat dilakukan di sungai, di saluran air suci (devakhāta), di danau, atau bahkan di rumah.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Prescribed Vāruṇa-snānā (water purification) grants ritual fitness (adhikāra) for Śiva-pūjā and supports inner purification leading toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha).
FAQs
It teaches that outer purity supports inner steadiness: by ācamana and the Vāruṇa bath, the sādhaka prepares body and mind for disciplined Shaiva worship, making the rite a doorway to focused devotion and contemplation of Pati (Śiva).
Linga-worship is traditionally preceded by śauca (purificatory observances). This verse establishes that proper preparation—ācamana and snāna—sanctifies the worshipper before approaching Saguna Śiva in the Linga with offerings, mantra, and upacāras.
Perform ācamana properly, then take a Vāruṇa snāna—ideally in a river or sacred water source, but permitted even at home—before beginning Shiva-pūjā, japa (such as the Panchakshara), or other observances.