Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 38
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
ऋषय ऊचुः । मुखं न दर्शनीयं ते गम्यतां गम्यतामिति । दृष्ट्वा गोघ्नमुखं सद्यस्सचैलं स्नानमाचरेत्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | mukhaṃ na darśanīyaṃ te gamyatāṃ gamyatāmiti | dṛṣṭvā goghnamukhaṃ sadyassacailaṃ snānamācaret
Sinabi ng mga rishi: “Hindi dapat ipakita ang iyong mukha—lumayas, lumayas!” Kapag nakita ang mukha ng pumatay ng baka, dapat agad magsagawa ng paliligo ng paglilinis, kahit nakasuot pa ng damit.
The sages (ṛṣis), addressing an offender (implied cow-killer) within the Kotirudra Saṃhitā narrative
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It stresses śauca (purity) as a prerequisite for auspicious darśana and worship: grave sin (like gohatyā) creates strong impurity, and immediate purification is advised before approaching sacred space or Shiva’s worship.
In Jyotirlinga-centered practice (Kotirudra Saṃhitā), external discipline supports inner devotion; the verse implies that one should not bring severe impurity into the sphere of Saguna Shiva’s temple-darśana and liṅga-pūjā without first performing purificatory acts.
A prompt purificatory bath (snāna)—even ‘with clothes on’ as an emergency measure—is prescribed; the takeaway is to restore ritual fitness before mantra-japa, liṅga-darśana, or pilgrimage worship.