Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 4
साधक-दीक्षा तथा मन्त्रसाधन
Puraścaraṇa and the Discipline of the Mantra-Sādhaka
सन्दीप्य च यथापूर्वं कृत्वा पूर्वोदितं क्रमात् । अभिषिच्य यथापूर्वं प्रदद्यान्मन्त्रमुत्तमम्
sandīpya ca yathāpūrvaṃ kṛtvā pūrvoditaṃ kramāt | abhiṣicya yathāpūrvaṃ pradadyānmantramuttamam
सन्दीप्य वह्निं यथापूर्वं पूर्वोक्तं क्रममाचरन् । यथापूर्वमभिषिच्य ततः प्रदद्यात् परं मन्त्रम् ॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Role: liberating
FAQs
It emphasizes krama (right sequence) in Shaiva worship: outer ritual order—kindling the sacred fire, performing the prescribed steps, and abhiṣeka—supports inner purification, making the mind fit to receive the “supreme mantra” that leads toward Shiva-realization.
By mentioning abhiṣeka “as before,” it points to established Linga-upāsanā where Shiva is approached as Saguna (worshipful form) through consecration and offering; the mantra then seals the relationship between devotee and Pati (Shiva) through disciplined practice.
A structured pūjā sequence: kindle the sacred fire (where applicable), follow the earlier enjoined steps, perform abhiṣeka to Shiva (often the Linga), and then receive/recite the supreme Shaiva mantra—practiced as japa with steadiness and purity.