Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
अशौचेप्यथवा प्राप्ते न स्नायादुष्णवारिणा । यथा साभिमुखंस्नायात्तीर्थादौ भक्तिमान्नरः
aśaucepyathavā prāpte na snāyāduṣṇavāriṇā | yathā sābhimukhaṃsnāyāttīrthādau bhaktimānnaraḥ
अशौच आले तरी उष्ण पाण्याने स्नान करू नये. तीर्थ इत्यादी पवित्र स्थानी भक्तिमान पुरुषाने समोराभिमुख होऊन श्रद्धेने स्नान करावे.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it is a purity/discipline instruction (snāna-vidhi) emphasizing reverent orientation at a tīrtha.
Significance: Frames tīrtha-snāna as a bhakti-act: bodily purification becomes a vehicle for loosening pāśa (bondage) through right conduct and intention.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that purity is not merely physical comfort but a devotional discipline: the devotee approaches sacred bathing with reverence and restraint, making the act an offering that supports inner clarity and Shiva-bhakti.
Tīrtha-snāna is presented as preparatory purification for Saguna Shiva worship—entering the presence of Shiva (often through linga-pūjā) with regulated conduct, humility, and devotional focus rather than indulgence.
Perform tīrtha-snāna with reverent orientation (sābhimukha), avoid hot-water bathing in this context, and treat the bath as a vrata-like discipline that supports mantra-japa and pūjā with steadiness and devotion.