संन्यासाचारवर्णनम्
Description of the Conduct and Daily Discipline of Saṃnyāsa
मुखम्प्रथमतो मृज्य शिर आरभ्य सर्वतः । तेनैव मार्जयेद्देहं स्थित्वा च गुरुसन्निधौ
mukhamprathamato mṛjya śira ārabhya sarvataḥ | tenaiva mārjayeddehaṃ sthitvā ca gurusannidhau
پہلے چہرہ پاک کرے، پھر سر سے آغاز کر کے ہر طرف پونچھے۔ گُرو کی سَنِدھی میں کھڑے ہو کر اسی سے پورے بدن کا مارجن کر کے شُدھی کرے۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Highlights guru-sannidhi as the locus of transmitted purity and correct praxis; bodily orderliness mirrors inner ordering toward Śiva’s grace.
Role: teaching
It teaches that outer purification, performed with humility before the Guru, supports inner purity—making the seeker fit for Shaiva worship and yogic steadiness directed toward Pati (Shiva).
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is preceded by disciplined cleanliness and reverence; cleansing the body in the Guru’s presence prepares the devotee to approach Saguna Shiva with proper ritual order and focused mind.
A preparatory purification sequence—cleaning face and body from head downward—performed respectfully near the Guru, as a foundation for further acts like mantra-japa (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and formal puja.