Shloka 26
संन्यासाचारवर्णनम्
Description of the Conduct and Daily Discipline of Saṃnyāsa
नाभौ बाह्वौः संधिषु च पृष्ठ चैव यथाक्रमम् । प्रक्षाल्य हस्तौ च ततो द्विराचम्य यथाविधि
nābhau bāhvauḥ saṃdhiṣu ca pṛṣṭha caiva yathākramam | prakṣālya hastau ca tato dvirācamya yathāvidhi
नाभौ बाह्वोः सन्धिषु च पृष्ठे च यथाक्रमम् । प्रक्षाल्य हस्तौ ततः कृत्वा द्विराचमनं विधितः ॥
Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed procedure of purity in Śiva-pūjā to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes śauca (ritual purity) as adhikāra (fitness) for Śiva-pūjā; inner and outer cleansing reduces pāśa (impurity) and prepares for grace-bearing worship.
FAQs
It teaches śauca (purity) as a doorway to Śiva-worship: cleansing the body in an ordered way symbolizes removing impurity (mala) and becoming inwardly steady and fit to approach Pati (Śiva) with reverence.
Before approaching the Śiva-liṅga (Saguna focus for devotion), the devotee performs regulated purification and ācamana so the act of pūjā is done with sanctity, discipline, and a mind aligned to Śiva’s presence.
A practical instruction: wash specified parts (navel, arms, joints, back), wash the hands, and perform ācamana twice as per vidhi—serving as preparatory purification before japa (e.g., pañcākṣarī) or liṅga-pūjā.