Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 7
शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites
Morning Purity & Bath Procedure
स्नात्वा पुनः पुनर्वस्त्रं त्यक्त्वावाथ विशोध्य च । सुस्नातो नृपवद्भूयः शुद्धं वासो वसीत च
snātvā punaḥ punarvastraṃ tyaktvāvātha viśodhya ca | susnāto nṛpavadbhūyaḥ śuddhaṃ vāso vasīta ca
स्नात्वा पुनः पुनर्वस्त्रं त्यक्त्वावाथ विशोध्य च । सुस्नातो नृपवद्भूयः शुद्धं वासो वसीत च ॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vāmadeva
Significance: Reinforces śuddhi through repeated bathing and clean clothing—removing mala-like defilement symbolically before approaching Śiva; supports eligibility (adhikāra) for pūjā and japa.
FAQs
It teaches that outer cleanliness supports inner purity: by bathing and wearing clean clothes, the devotee prepares body and mind to approach Pati (Shiva) with steadiness and reverence, aligning conduct with Shaiva dharma.
Linga worship emphasizes disciplined preparation—clean body, clean garments, and orderly conduct—so the devotee offers upacharas with purity, expressing bhakti to Saguna Shiva while cultivating the inner refinement that leads toward realization.
A simple preparatory rule: bathe properly, remove or wash the used cloth, and wear clean garments before Shiva-puja; this commonly precedes applying bhasma (tripuṇḍra), wearing rudrākṣa, and reciting the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).