Shloka 22
Kṣaura-Snāna-Vidhi — Rite of Tonsure/Shaving and Purificatory Bath (Śaiva Procedure)
त्रिवारम्प्रणमेत्प्रीत्या साष्टांगं च गुरु शिवम् । पञ्चाङ्गेनैकवारञ्च समुत्थाय च वन्दयेत्
trivārampraṇametprītyā sāṣṭāṃgaṃ ca guru śivam | pañcāṅgenaikavārañca samutthāya ca vandayet
त्रिवारं प्रणमेत्प्रीत्या साष्टाङ्गं च गुरुं शिवम् । पञ्चाङ्गेनैकवारं च समुत्थाय च वन्दयेत्
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: The verse frames Śiva as Guru; repeated praṇāma is treated as a humility-practice that prepares the paśu for receiving śaktipāta/anugraha, the true ‘pilgrimage’ into right knowledge.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that approach to Pati (Śiva) must be grounded in humility and loving devotion; repeated prostration disciplines the ego (a key pasha) and aligns the soul (pashu) toward Śiva’s grace, which is central to liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta.
The verse gives worship-etiquette directed to “Guru Śiva,” supporting Saguna devotion—whether one worships Śiva in anthropomorphic form or as the Śiva-liṅga—by prescribing reverential pranāma as a preparatory act that sanctifies the devotee before mantra, archana, or dhyāna.
Perform three aṣṭāṅga (full) prostrations, then rise and offer one pañcāṅga salutation; this can be integrated before japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and before applying bhasma/tripuṇḍra or commencing liṅga-pūjā.