Dāruvana-parīkṣā: Śaṅkara’s Test and the Linga’s Ritual-Theological Grounding
त्रिकालं शिवपूजां च कुर्वंति स्म निरन्तरम् । नानाविधैः स्तवैर्दिव्यैस्तुष्टुवुस्ते मुनीश्वराः
trikālaṃ śivapūjāṃ ca kurvaṃti sma nirantaram | nānāvidhaiḥ stavairdivyaistuṣṭuvuste munīśvarāḥ
Para muni yang mulia itu terus-menerus melakukan pemujaan kepada Śiva pada tiga waktu suci setiap hari. Dengan pelbagai stava ilahi, mereka memuji-Nya berulang-ulang.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The sages’ tri-kāla Śiva-pūjā and stuti establish orthodox, disciplined worship—yet the coming narrative will show that ritual excellence alone can be veiled by tirodhāna (concealment) until Śiva grants insight.
Significance: Highlights daily worship rhythm (trikāla) as a Śaiva ideal; encourages regular pūjā and stotra as bhakti-sādhana.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
It highlights steady, uninterrupted bhakti: worshiping Śiva at the three daily junctions trains the mind toward single-pointed devotion to Pati (the Lord), weakening pasha (bondage) through disciplined remembrance and praise.
Trikāla-pūjā is typically performed to Saguna Śiva—often as the Śiva-liṅga—using upacāras (offerings) and stotras; the repeated praising indicates a devotional approach where the visible form supports inner realization.
A practical takeaway is trikāla Śiva-pūjā with stotra-japa: offer water and bilva, apply bhasma (tripuṇḍra), wear rudrākṣa if available, and repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with devotional hymns.