Kṣaura-Snāna-Vidhi — Rite of Tonsure/Shaving and Purificatory Bath (Śaiva Procedure)
पुनरेकाम्पादयोश्च मुखे चान्यां करे क्रमात् । संलिप्याक्षाल्य चाम्भोभिः पुनश्च जलमाविशेत्
punarekāmpādayośca mukhe cānyāṃ kare kramāt | saṃlipyākṣālya cāmbhobhiḥ punaśca jalamāviśet
さらに、定められた順序に従い、一方の足、次に他方の足、口、そして身体の他の部位と両手に水を触れさせる。かくして水に触れて洗い清めたのち、再び水を啜って(アーチャマナ)儀礼的清浄に立ち返り、シヴァ礼拝にふさわしい身となるべきである。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes adhikāra (fitness) for Śiva-pūjā through śauca; purity is treated as a prerequisite for fruitful darśana and mantra-japa.
The verse teaches śauca (purificatory discipline): by orderly cleansing with water, the devotee aligns body and mind for Śiva-upāsanā, expressing reverence and inner readiness—an outer act supporting inward purity.
Linga worship emphasizes careful preparation; ācamana and washing are preliminary rites that make the worshipper fit to approach Saguna Śiva in the form of the Linga, ensuring the pūjā begins from a state of ritual and mental composure.
It indicates ācamana and bodily purification—touching and washing prescribed limbs with water in sequence, then sipping water again—before commencing japa, dhyāna, or Linga pūjā.