न्यासवर्णनम् (Nyāsa-varṇanam) — Description of Nyāsa in the Saṃnyāsa Procedure
दुर्गां च क्षेत्रपालं च बद्धांजलिपुटः स्थितः । ओमस्त्राय फडित्युक्त्वा करौ संशोध्य षट् क्रमात्
durgāṃ ca kṣetrapālaṃ ca baddhāṃjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ | omastrāya phaḍityuktvā karau saṃśodhya ṣaṭ kramāt
合掌而立,恭敬礼敬杜尔迦与刹帝罗波罗(圣域守护者)。诵曰「唵 阿斯特拉耶 破吒」,随后依六次第法,逐步净化双手。
Suta Goswami (narrating the prescribed worship procedure as taught in the Kailasa Samhita)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Mantra: oṃ astrāya phaṭ
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: protective
It teaches that approach to Śiva-worship begins with humility (añjali), honoring the protecting powers of the sacred space, and purification—outer acts that mirror the inner cleansing of impurities (pāśa) before communion with Pati (Śiva).
Before Linga-pūjā, the sādhaka ritually secures the worship-field by acknowledging Durgā and Kṣetrapāla and using a protective mantra; this safeguards the sāguna worship setting so attention can rest steadily on Śiva’s manifested form.
Use the astra-mantra “Oṃ astrāya phaṭ” for protective purification, then perform a sixfold, sequential hand-cleansing (a standard preparatory rite) to make the body and mind fit instruments for mantra and pūjā.