Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 36
समयाह्वय-संस्कारः — Rite of ‘Samayāhvaya’ and the Preparatory Layout
Maṇḍapa, Vedi, Kuṇḍas, Maṇḍala, Śiva-kumbha
स दृष्ट्वा मंडलं भूयः प्रणमेत्साञ्जलिः प्रभुम् । अथासीनं शिवाचार्यो मंडलस्य तु दक्षिणे
sa dṛṣṭvā maṃḍalaṃ bhūyaḥ praṇametsāñjaliḥ prabhum | athāsīnaṃ śivācāryo maṃḍalasya tu dakṣiṇe
เมื่อได้เห็นมณฑลอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์อีกครั้ง เขาพึงประนมมือกราบพระผู้เป็นเจ้า แล้วอาจารย์ศิวะพึงนั่ง ณ ด้านทิศใต้ของมณฑล
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s ritual and yogic discipline as taught in the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Reverential re-visioning of the maṇḍala after netronmīlana signifies entry into Śiva’s ordered sacred cosmos; the guru’s placement to the south evokes Dakṣiṇāmūrti’s teaching orientation (dakṣiṇa) and the transmission of liberating knowledge.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that reverent re-orientation to the sacred space (maṇḍala) and humble pranāma to Śiva are essential before any further rite—outer order supports inner surrender, purifying the pashu (bound soul) toward Pati (Śiva).
The maṇḍala frames saguna worship in a sanctified geometry where the Lord is approached through visible, ordered ritual; bowing with añjali expresses bhakti, while the ācārya’s proper seat establishes correct transmission of Śiva-vidyā in linga/mandala worship.
Perform añjali and pranāma to Śiva after beholding the maṇḍala, then proceed with the ācārya seated in the prescribed southern position—supporting steady attention (dhāraṇā) and correct ritual sequencing before mantra-japa or offerings.