Maṇḍala–Pūjā–Homa Krama
Maṇḍala Worship and Homa Sequence for the Disciple
शिवशक्तियुताञ्चैव शक्तिविद्यां च तादृशीम् । ऋषिं छन्दश्च देवं च शिवतां शिवयोस्तथा
śivaśaktiyutāñcaiva śaktividyāṃ ca tādṛśīm | ṛṣiṃ chandaśca devaṃ ca śivatāṃ śivayostathā
Deve também saber que essa Śakti‑Vidya é dotada de Śiva e de Śakti; e conhecer igualmente o seu ṛṣi, o seu chandas (metro), o deva regente, e a Śivatā—isto é, a natureza intrínseca de Śiva—do Casal Divino.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Ardhanārīśvara
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
It teaches mantra-dharma: a mantra is not recited mechanically—one should know its Śiva-Śakti essence, along with ṛṣi, chandas, and devatā, so worship becomes conscious alignment with Pati (Shiva) and His inseparable Shakti.
Lingārcana and Saguna worship are strengthened when the devotee recognizes the presiding deity and the Śiva-nature (śivatā) behind the mantra—seeing the Linga as Shiva inseparably united with Shakti, the power that makes grace and liberation effective.
Before japa, perform mantra-nyāsa in understanding: contemplate the mantra’s ṛṣi, chandas, devatā, and its Śiva-Śakti unity; then do steady japa with bhakti and inner recollection of Śiva-nature (śivatā).