Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 12
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
सर्वत्र मन्त्रं विन्यस्य वर्मणावेष्ट्य बाह्यतः । पश्चादस्त्रेण संरक्ष्य धेनुमुद्रां प्रदर्शयेत्
sarvatra mantraṃ vinyasya varmaṇāveṣṭya bāhyataḥ | paścādastreṇa saṃrakṣya dhenumudrāṃ pradarśayet
Setelah menempatkan mantra ke segala arah, hendaklah seseorang menyelubungi dirinya dari luar dengan varma, iaitu perisai pelindung. Kemudian, dengan astra-mantra sebagai penjaga, hendaklah diperagakan Dhenu-mudrā, memeteraikan upacara dengan kuasa perlindungan Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-worship is not merely external offering but an inner consecration: by nyāsa, kavaca (varma), and astra-protection, the sādhaka aligns body and mind as a purified vessel, removing obstacles (pāśa) so devotion can rest in Pati (Śiva).
Before approaching the Liṅga (Saguna Śiva), the devotee ritually establishes the mantra’s presence and seals the space/body with protective rites, indicating that Liṅga-pūjā is performed within a sanctified field where Śiva’s grace and guardianship are invoked.
It indicates a pūjā-preparatory sequence: perform mantra-nyāsa, apply a kavaca/varma visualization, use the astra-mantra for protection, and conclude with Dhenu-mudrā to seal and stabilize the rite.