Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 61
दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas
द्रव्यैः पूर्वैस्तथा पूजां कृत्वा धारां समर्पयेत् । पूर्वतो द्विगुणं मंत्रं समुच्चार्यार्चयेच्छिवम्
dravyaiḥ pūrvaistathā pūjāṃ kṛtvā dhārāṃ samarpayet | pūrvato dviguṇaṃ maṃtraṃ samuccāryārcayecchivam
以先前所述诸供品完成礼拜之后，当奉献“持流供”（dhārā），令圣液不断流注。其后，当将真言诵念加倍，如法恭敬礼敬湿婆。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Emphasizes correct abhiṣeka (dhārā) and increased mantra-utterance as a means for Śiva’s prasāda (grace) in ritual worship.
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-pūjā is completed through a disciplined sequence—offerings, then abhiṣeka as a steady dhārā, and intensified mantra-recitation—uniting outer ritual with inner devotion and focused awareness of Pati (Śiva).
The “dhārā” points directly to liṅga-abhiṣeka, where Saguna Śiva is approached through a tangible form. The increased mantra-japa sanctifies the act, making the liṅga-worship a concentrated means to invoke Śiva’s grace.
Perform offerings first, then do continuous abhiṣeka (dhārā) to the liṅga, while doubling the mantra recitation—commonly aligned with the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—as a focused japa during worship.