Shloka 18
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
Trước hết, hãy lau sạch khuôn mặt; rồi bắt đầu từ đỉnh đầu mà lau tịnh khắp nơi. Đứng trước sự hiện diện của Guru, hãy dùng chính sự tẩy tịnh ấy mà thanh lọc toàn thân.
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
FAQs
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.