Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 63
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
दद्यादर्घ्यं ततो मूर्ध्नि भसितं च सुगंधितम् । कृत्वा पुष्पांजलिं पश्चादुपहारान्निवेदयेत्
dadyādarghyaṃ tato mūrdhni bhasitaṃ ca sugaṃdhitam | kṛtvā puṣpāṃjaliṃ paścādupahārānnivedayet
Sesudah itu, hendaklah dipersembahkan arghya (curahan penghormatan). Kemudian sapukan bhasma, abu suci yang harum, pada ubun-ubun. Setelah membuat puṣpāñjali dengan kedua telapak tangan dirapatkan, hendaklah ia seterusnya mempersembahkan upahāra serta segala persembahan ritual.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General liṅga-pūjā upacāras: arghya, bhasma-dhāraṇa, puṣpāñjali, and upahāra-nivedana—standard temple/home worship sequence rather than a site-specific legend.
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa signifies Śiva-sāyujya-abhimukhatā (orientation toward Śiva) and dispassion; puṣpāñjali and upahāras cultivate bhakti and humility, inviting grace.
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It outlines a sequential discipline of Shiva-upasana: respectful offering (arghya), sanctification through bhasma, and devotion through flowers and gifts—external acts meant to steady inner surrender to Pati (Shiva), the liberator.
These are standard upacharas (service-offerings) used in Linga/Saguna Shiva worship—honoring Shiva as approachable through sacred symbols and ritual order while cultivating reverence and purity of intention.
Offer arghya, apply fragrant bhasma on the head as a Shaiva mark of consecration (linked to Tripundra/bhasma-dharana), then offer flowers and formally present upaharas—ideally while remembering Shiva and reciting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).