Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 20
पूजाविधान-व्याख्या (Pūjāvidhāna-vyākhyā) — Exposition of the Procedure of Worship
ध्यात्वा बाह्यक्रमेणैव पूजां निर्वर्तयेद्धिया । समिदाज्यादिभिः पश्चान्नाभौ होमं च भावयेत्
dhyātvā bāhyakrameṇaiva pūjāṃ nirvartayeddhiyā | samidājyādibhiḥ paścānnābhau homaṃ ca bhāvayet
先当观想入定，以心依所规定的外在次第完成礼拜。其后，以圣柴（samid）、酥油（ājya）等供品，亦当观想于脐中行火供——将供物投于内火，以此作为奉献于湿婆（Śiva）的虔敬之行。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-worship is complete when external ritual (bāhya-krama) is united with inner realization—transforming the offering into an inward sacrifice that purifies the devotee’s bonds (pāśa) and turns the mind toward Pati (Śiva).
The external sequence points to traditional Saguna worship—pujā to Śiva (often as the Liṅga) with ordered upacāras—while the “navel-homa” interiorizes that same worship, indicating that the Liṅga is not only on the altar but also to be realized within consciousness.
After completing pūjā, one practices bhāvanā (inner visualization) of homa in the navel-region—an inner-fire contemplation akin to yogic internal offering; it can be paired with Śiva-mantra japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī) while mentally offering ghee-like devotion into the inner flame.