स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान
मन्त्रस्नानं ततः कुर्याद् आपोहिष्ठादिभिः क्रमात् पुण्यैश्चैव तथा मन्त्रैर् ऋग्यजुःसामसंभवैः
mantrasnānaṃ tataḥ kuryād āpohiṣṭhādibhiḥ kramāt puṇyaiścaiva tathā mantrair ṛgyajuḥsāmasaṃbhavaiḥ
Então deve-se realizar o banho de mantras (mantra-snāna) na devida ordem, começando pelo hino “Āpo hi ṣṭhā…”, e também com outros mantras auspiciosos provenientes dos Vedas Ṛg, Yajur e Sāma—para que o adorador seja purificado ritual e interiormente para a adoração do Pati, o Senhor Śiva.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-puja procedure as taught in the Linga Purana tradition)
It establishes mantra-snāna (mantra-consecrated bathing) as a prerequisite purification, aligning the worshipper’s body and intention before approaching the Shiva-Linga with Vedic sanctity.
By requiring ordered Vedic purification before worship, the verse implies Shiva as Pati—the supremely pure Lord—approached through shaucha (purity) that helps loosen pasha (bondage) obscuring the pashu (individual soul).
Mantra-snāna using “Āpo hi ṣṭhā…” and other Ṛg–Yajur–Sāma mantras, a purificatory rite that supports focused worship and steadiness of mind integral to Shaiva sadhana.