Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 6
अवभृथस्नान-तीर्थयात्रा-तेजोदर्शनम् | Avabhṛtha Bath, Tīrtha-Pilgrimage, and the Vision of Divine Radiance
तदा ते हिमवत्पादात्पंततीं दक्षिणामुखीम् । दृष्ट्वा भागीरथी तत्र स्नात्वा तत्तीरतो ययुः
tadā te himavatpādātpaṃtatīṃ dakṣiṇāmukhīm | dṛṣṭvā bhāgīrathī tatra snātvā tattīrato yayuḥ
ครั้นนั้นพวกเขาได้เห็นพระภาคีรถีไหลลงจากเชิงหิมวัตและไหลไปทางทิศใต้ แล้วได้อาบน้ำชำระบาป ณ ที่นั้น ก่อนออกจากฝั่งอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์นั้นไปต่อ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā) is seen descending from Himavat; her descent evokes the broader Gaṅgā-avataraṇa myth where Śiva bears and releases her for the world’s purification.
Significance: Snāna at Gaṅgā’s tīrtha is a paradigmatic purifier; it prepares pilgrims for entry into higher kṣetras such as Kāśī.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights tīrtha-snāna (bathing at a sacred ford) as an outer act of purification that supports inner purity—reducing mala and strengthening readiness for Shiva-bhakti and liberating knowledge (jñāna) in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
In Shaiva practice, approaching Śiva—often through Liṅga worship—is preceded by śauca (purity). Bathing in a revered tīrtha like Bhāgīrathī is a preparatory observance that steadies the devotee for saguna-upāsanā (devotional worship with form) and deeper contemplation of Shiva as Pati.
Perform tīrtha-snāna with a prayerful mind, then continue pilgrimage or worship; traditionally one may add japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and offer water (jala) in devotion, maintaining inner restraint and remembrance of Shiva.