Sacred Methods of
Worshipping the Shivalinga
Once, Goddess Parvati
lovingly asked Lord Shiva about the proper way to worship the Shivalinga. As
Shiva revealed the sacred rituals, Nandi too absorbed this wisdom. Over time,
this knowledge was passed from Sanatkumar to Sage Vyasa, then to Suta through
Shailadi. Thus, the eternal tradition of Shivalinga worship was preserved and
shared.
The Three Purification
Methods
Lord Shiva emphasized
that a devotee must first purify themselves before beginning worship. He
described three essential methods:
1. Varuna
Snan (Bathing in open water)
o Bathing
in a river or pond cleanses both body and mind.
o Just
as a lotus blossoms under the sun’s radiance, the devotee’s mind blossoms with
divine energy after this ritual.
2. Bhasma
Snan (Smearing sacred ashes or mud)
o After
washing hands and feet, the devotee smears mud, cow dung, or ashes while
chanting the mantra “Uddhatashi Varahaen.”
o This
symbolizes detachment from impurities and worldly attachments.
3. Mantra
Snan (Chanting sacred mantras)
o Purification
through sound vibrations, invoking divine energy and inner sanctity.
Ritual Sequence
- Worship Lord Varuna after
purification.
- Sanctify river water with the Adhamarshan
mantra before taking a dip.
- Sprinkle water from a conch while
chanting “Rudren Pavamanaen” to invoke all deities.
- Concentrate on the divine form of the
Shivalinga.
- Drink sanctified water with Kusha
grass in hand, symbolizing inner purity.
Commencing Worship
- Perform Pranayama three times
to fill the lungs with fresh air.
- Meditate upon Lord Trayambak in his
full glory.
- Purify all worship articles by
chanting “Om Namah Shivaya.”
- Offer flowers, rice grains, barley,
and other sacred items.
Complete Worship
Lord Shiva declared that
worship is incomplete without honoring his divine family:
- Nandi
– the sacred bull and devoted attendant
- Kartikeya
– the warrior son
- Vinayaka (Ganesha)
– remover of obstacles
- Goddess Parvati – the divine mother