Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
पूजाविधिः
Pūjā-vidhiḥ) — The Supreme Procedure of Worship (Morning Observances
तैलाभ्यंगं च कुर्वीत वारान्दृष्ट्वा क्रमेण च । नित्यमभ्यंगके चैव वासितं वा न दूषितम्
tailābhyaṃgaṃ ca kurvīta vārāndṛṣṭvā krameṇa ca | nityamabhyaṃgake caiva vāsitaṃ vā na dūṣitam
พึงทำการนวดชโลมด้วยน้ำมันตามลำดับวันอันสมควร สิ่งที่ใช้เป็นประจำในการอภยังคะ แม้เป็นของหอม ก็ไม่ถือว่าเป็นมลทิน
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma and ritual purity to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General household/ritual purity guidance about tailābhyaṅga (oil anointing) and what counts as dūṣita (defiled).
Significance: Supports daily discipline (nitya-kriyā) as a stabilizing sādhana; in Siddhānta, orderly conduct and purity support eligibility for pūjā and reception of anugraha.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that disciplined bodily care, done according to scriptural order, supports inner purity and steadiness for Shiva-bhakti; routine anointing and fragrance are not treated as spiritual defilement when used rightly.
In Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee maintains śauca (ritual cleanliness) and regulated habits so the body-mind becomes fit for Linga-pūjā, japa, and dhyāna; this verse clarifies what daily-use items are acceptable and non-polluting.
A regulated dinacharya that includes abhyanga (oil-massage) on appropriate days, supporting cleanliness before practices like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), wearing Rudraksha, and doing Panchakshara mantra japa.