Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
लिङ्गपूजनसंक्षेपः
Concise Teaching on Liṅga Worship / Śiva-arcana-vidhi
स्त्रीभिश्च शूद्रवत्कार्यं मृदाग्रहणमुत्तमम् । हस्तौ पादौ च प्रक्षाल्य पूर्ववन्मृदमाहरेत्
strībhiśca śūdravatkāryaṃ mṛdāgrahaṇamuttamam | hastau pādau ca prakṣālya pūrvavanmṛdamāharet
As mulheres devem realizar o excelente rito de tomar a terra purificadora do mesmo modo prescrito para os Śūdras. Tendo lavado as mãos e os pés, deve-se então recolher a terra conforme foi dito anteriormente.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā teachings to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Frames śauca as an accessible prerequisite for Śiva-bhakti across social categories, emphasizing eligibility-through-discipline rather than birth alone.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes that approaching Śiva’s worship begins with śauca (purity) and disciplined preparation; the act of cleansing and collecting purifying earth symbolizes removing outward impurity while cultivating inward steadiness and devotion.
Linga-pūjā in the Śiva Purāṇa is performed with careful observances; washing hands and feet and preparing cleansing earth supports a ritually fit body-mind, so the devotee can offer upacāras to Saguna Śiva with focus and reverence.
A practical takeaway is preliminary purification—wash hands and feet and then prepare cleansing earth as instructed earlier—before beginning Śiva worship, mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī), or applying sacred ash (Tripuṇḍra) where applicable.