Shloka 5
Śiva-Pūjākramaḥ — The Procedural Order of Shiva Worship
Pañcāvaraṇa & Upacāras
पादौ प्रक्षाल्य चाचम्य स्वयं कर्ता च वाग्यतः । स्थापयेदासने तान्वै प्राङ्मुखान्भस्मभूषितान्
pādau prakṣālya cācamya svayaṃ kartā ca vāgyataḥ | sthāpayedāsane tānvai prāṅmukhānbhasmabhūṣitān
Sau khi rửa chân và làm ācamana, chính người hành lễ—nhiếp khẩu—hãy an tọa các vị ấy trên chỗ ngồi, cho quay mặt về hướng đông, thân được trang nghiêm bằng bhasma, tro thánh.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva’s ritual teachings as preserved in the Kailāsa-saṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it is a procedural detail of seating purified participants/items facing east, marked with bhasma—typical Śaiva identity and readiness for worship.
Significance: Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and east-facing orientation signify Śaiva belonging and auspicious alignment; such śauca supports fruitful pūjā and the reception of grace.
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-pūjā begins with purity of body and restraint of speech—outer cleansing (washing, ācamana) supports inner discipline, making the mind fit to approach Pati (Śiva) with reverence.
The verse gives preparatory rules for Saguna worship: arranging the worship setting properly (āsana, east-facing) and wearing bhasma/Tripuṇḍra as a Shaiva mark, which sanctifies the worshipper before offering to the Liṅga.
Perform pāda-prakṣālana and ācamana, observe vāg-yama (silence/controlled speech), and apply bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) before beginning Śiva-pūjā.