शिवध्यानपूजनवर्णनम्
Description of Śiva Meditation and Worship
स्थाप्य साधारकं तं तु प्रणवेनार्चयेत्ततः । आपूर्य्य शुद्धतोयेन चन्दनादिसुगंधिना
sthāpya sādhārakaṃ taṃ tu praṇavenārcayettataḥ | āpūryya śuddhatoyena candanādisugaṃdhinā
Sau khi an lập bệ đỡ (sādhāraka) ấy—làm nền cho việc thờ phụng—thì hãy lễ bái bằng Praṇava (Oṁ). Rồi tiếp đó, hãy rót đầy nước thanh tịnh, ướp hương đàn hương và các hương liệu khác.
Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed worship-method to the sages, as typical in the Shiva Purana’s discourse style)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Mantra: ॐ (प्रणव)
Type: panchakshara
Role: nurturing
It teaches that Shiva-worship begins with proper स्थापना (right placement and sanctification of the worship-base) and with Praṇava (Oṁ), indicating that outer ritual should be anchored in inner purity and the highest sound-symbol of Pati (Śiva) before offering substances like water and fragrance.
The verse outlines preparatory steps for Linga-pūjā: establishing the ādhāra (support/base) and sanctifying it through Oṁ, then offering pure, fragrant water—classical upacāra that honors Saguna Śiva while pointing to his transcendent presence through Praṇava.
Begin the worship with japa/utterance of Oṁ (Praṇava), then perform abhiṣeka-like preparation using pure water infused with sandalwood fragrance—combining mantra (inner focus) with dravya-upacāra (outer offering).