Shloka 18
संन्यासाचारवर्णनम्
Description of the Conduct and Daily Discipline of Saṃnyāsa
मुखम्प्रथमतो मृज्य शिर आरभ्य सर्वतः । तेनैव मार्जयेद्देहं स्थित्वा च गुरुसन्निधौ
mukhamprathamato mṛjya śira ārabhya sarvataḥ | tenaiva mārjayeddehaṃ sthitvā ca gurusannidhau
ಮೊದಲು ಮುಖವನ್ನು ಶುದ್ಧಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕು; ನಂತರ ಶಿರಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಆರಂಭಿಸಿ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ತೊಳೆಯಬೇಕು/ಒರೆಸಬೇಕು. ಗುರುಸನ್ನಿಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತು ಅದೇ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ಮಾರ್ಜನ ಮಾಡಿ ಶುದ್ಧಿಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕು।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights guru-sannidhi as the locus of transmitted purity and correct praxis; bodily orderliness mirrors inner ordering toward Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that outer purification, performed with humility before the Guru, supports inner purity—making the seeker fit for Shaiva worship and yogic steadiness directed toward Pati (Shiva).
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is preceded by disciplined cleanliness and reverence; cleansing the body in the Guru’s presence prepares the devotee to approach Saguna Shiva with proper ritual order and focused mind.
A preparatory purification sequence—cleaning face and body from head downward—performed respectfully near the Guru, as a foundation for further acts like mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and formal puja.