Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20
पूजास्थानशुद्धिः पात्रशोधनं च — Purification of the Worship-Space and Preparation of Ritual Vessels
संपूज्य लिङ्गं तैर्द्रव्यैर्निर्माल्यमपनोदयेत् । प्रक्षाल्य पुष्पं शिरसि न्यसेत्तस्य विशुद्धये
saṃpūjya liṅgaṃ tairdravyairnirmālyamapanodayet | prakṣālya puṣpaṃ śirasi nyasettasya viśuddhaye
เมื่อบูชาศิวลึงค์ด้วยเครื่องสักการะเหล่านั้นโดยถูกต้องแล้ว พึงนำดอกไม้และของค้างบูชา (นิรมาลยะ) ออกเสีย จากนั้นล้างให้สะอาด แล้ววางดอกไม้นั้นบนศีรษะเพื่อความบริสุทธิ์
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva worship procedures to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Teaches correct handling of nirmālya as Śiva-prasāda; promotes ritual purity and receptivity to grace (anugraha).
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-pūjā is completed with reverent closure: removing nirmālya respectfully and receiving the sanctified remainder as a means of inner purification, aligning the devotee (paśu) toward the Lord (Pati) through disciplined devotion.
The liṅga is Saguna Śiva’s accessible form for worship; the verse emphasizes proper upacāra—offerings, respectful removal of used items, and honoring the consecrated flower—showing that material acts can carry spiritual sanctity when offered to Śiva.
After completing liṅga-pūjā, remove the nirmālya, rinse the flower, and place it on the head as a purified, Śiva-blessed remainder—while mentally retaining devotion and purity (often accompanied by silent remembrance of the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).