Shloka 5
Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva
हां नमः सर्वमातृभ्यस्ततः स्यात्प्राणसंयमः / आचामं मार्जनं चाथो गायत्रीं च जपेत्ततः
hāṃ namaḥ sarvamātṛbhyastataḥ syātprāṇasaṃyamaḥ / ācāmaṃ mārjanaṃ cātho gāyatrīṃ ca japettataḥ
Dengan mengucap, “Hāṃ—sembah sujud kepada semua Ibu Ilahi (Mātṛ),” kemudian hendaklah dilakukan pengendalian prāṇa (prāṇasaṃyama). Sesudah itu lakukan ācāmana dan mārjana (percikan penyucian), lalu japa Gāyatrī.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Sequence of inner and outer purification: invoke Mātṛs, restrain prāṇa, perform ācamana and mārjana, then Gāyatrī-japa—discipline leading toward sattva and spiritual clarity.
Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā and prāṇa-niyama as preparation for jñāna; Gāyatrī as buddhi-prakāśa (illumination of intellect).
Application: Adopt a consistent order: devotional salutation → brief breath regulation → water-based purification → mantra-japa (Gāyatrī) with steady attention.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: frequent linkage of śauca, prāṇāyāma, and japa as preparatory limbs for rites and higher practice
FAQs
This verse places prāṇasaṁyama immediately after salutation and before mantra-recitation, indicating that steadiness of prāṇa is a prerequisite for mental purity and effective japa.
Indirectly: it emphasizes purification and disciplined practice (ācamana, mārjana, prāṇasaṁyama, Gāyatrī-japa) as dharmic preparation that supports spiritual clarity—foundational for higher aims like liberation discussed elsewhere in the Purāṇa.
Before meditation or mantra, follow a simple sequence: offer reverence, do a brief breath-regulation, cleanse (wash/sip water mindfully), and then chant Gāyatrī with attention and steadiness.