दुर्गोपवीत-रचना तथा शिवामलङ्कारोत्सवः | The Making of the Durgopavīta and Pārvatī’s Auspicious Adornment Festival
पुण्याहम्प्रवदन्गर्गस्समाध्रेऽञ्जलिम्मुदा । पार्व्वत्यक्षतपूर्णं च ववृषे च शिवोपरि
puṇyāhampravadangargassamādhre'ñjalimmudā | pārvvatyakṣatapūrṇaṃ ca vavṛṣe ca śivopari
Sambil melafazkan “pūṇyāha” sebagai berkat yang suci, resi Garga dengan gembira menangkupkan tangan penuh hormat, lalu menaburkan ke atas Dewa Śiva beras akṣata yang diisi dan disucikan oleh Pārvatī.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: A vivāha-ritual moment: ‘puṇyāha’ proclamation and akṣata showering upon Śiva; not connected to a Jyotirliṅga site narrative.
Significance: Puṇyāha-śabda and akṣata are classic markers of auspicious commencement; devotionally, this models how śabda (mantra/benediction) and dravya (offerings) together invoke Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: puṇyāham
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
The verse highlights Śaiva ritual sanctification: proclaiming “pūṇyāha” and offering akṣata signifies invoking auspiciousness and steadiness (wholeness) in devotion, honoring Śiva as the gracious Lord (Pati) who accepts simple, pure offerings offered with bhakti.
Akṣata and auspicious proclamations are standard elements of saguna worship—serving the manifest Lord through pūjā. Even when Śiva is ultimately beyond attributes, the Purāṇa affirms that ritual devotion to Śiva (including the Liṅga) becomes a valid means for grace and inner purification.
It suggests beginning worship with an auspicious declaration (pūṇyāha/maṅgala) and offering akṣata with reverence (añjali). Practically, one may start Śiva-pūjā with “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offer unbroken rice and flowers, and maintain a joyful, humble devotional attitude.