Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 30
शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites
Morning Purity & Bath Procedure
या दिनांतैश्शिरोवक्त्रहृद्गुह्यचरणान्क्रमात् । ततो मूलेन सर्वांगमालभ्य वसनान्तरम्
yā dināṃtaiśśirovaktrahṛdguhyacaraṇānkramāt | tato mūlena sarvāṃgamālabhya vasanāntaram
நாளின் முடிவில் முறையே தலை, முகம், இதயம், மறைஉறுப்பு, பாதங்கள் ஆகியவற்றில் புனித விபூதியை அணிய வேண்டும். பின்னர் மூலமந்திரத்தால் உடல் முழுதையும் தொட்ந்து தூய்மைப்படுத்தி அதன் பின் புதிய ஆடைகளை அணிய வேண்டும்.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Daily bhasma application at day’s end functions as continual remembrance of Śiva and loosening of pāśa (bondage) through regulated conduct (ācāra) and mantra-saturated embodiment.
Mantra: (mūla-mantra implied) oṃ namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches daily Shaiva purification: the body is consecrated with bhasma and mantra so the devotee lives as a pashu offered to Pati (Shiva), turning ordinary bodily life into disciplined worship aligned with liberation.
Bhasma-dhāraṇa and mantra-nyāsa prepare the devotee as a fit vessel for Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Linga with inner and outer purity, while remembering that Shiva’s grace alone removes bondage (pāśa).
Evening bhasma application in a prescribed sequence, followed by touching/consecrating the whole body with the mūla-mantra (commonly the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and then wearing clean clothes as part of daily Shaiva observance.