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
洗足并行阿遮摩那(ācamana)之后,行者自身当摄语寂然,使他们安坐于座,面向东方,身饰圣灰婆娑摩(bhasma)。
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.
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.