Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 101
अर्द्धेन स्नापयेत्पूर्वं कुर्याच्च मलघर्षणम् । सर्वेण स्नापयेत्पश्चात्पूजयेत्स्नापयेत्ततः
arddhena snāpayetpūrvaṃ kuryācca malagharṣaṇam | sarveṇa snāpayetpaścātpūjayetsnāpayettataḥ
अर्धेन प्रथमं लिङ्गं स्नापयेत्, मलघर्षणं च कुर्यात्। ततः सर्वेण स्नापयेत्, अनन्तरं पूजयेत्, पुनः स्नापयेत् यथाविधि॥
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Scene: A devotee in a Śiva-temple begins abhiṣeka: first a small stream of water, then careful rubbing to remove impurities, followed by a full bathing of the liṅga; lamps and attendants wait for the subsequent pūjā.
FAQs
Purification is gradual and ordered—first removing impurity, then completing consecrated worship with fullness and care.
No tīrtha is specified; the verse teaches general Shaiva abhiṣeka sequencing.
Do a preliminary partial bath and impurity-removal (malagharṣaṇa), then a full bath; proceed to pūjā and further bathing as directed.