The Puja – Shiva Purana

Chapter 16, Vidhyeshwara Samhita of Shiva Purana elaborates the importance of Puja of deities. The word puja is derived from “Puh” means “the achievement of the fruit of enjoyment”. By the rite one achieves the fruits. Jayate means “is born.” Worldly fruits and perfect knowledge are achieved from “Puja” done with desires and desireless respectively.
 
The daily and occasional rites yield their benefits in due course but fruits of kamya rites (rites with wish) are instantaneous. The necessary rites are performed every day. The occasional rites are performed in particular months, fortnights or years or on special occasions. In kamya rites one derives the fruits after the sin is duly quelled. shlokas (chapter 16 shlokas 29-31)
 
Categories of Sacrifices:
Rudra-saṃhita (Srishti-khaṇḍa Chapter 12) of Shiva Purana has broadly classified sacrifices done by the devotee in three categories:

1. Ritualistic (Karmas Yajnas)
2. Penance (Tapo Yajna)
3. Meditation (Dhyana Yajna)

 
The Tapo yajna (sacrifice in the form of penance) is far superior to thousands of Karmas yajnas (ritualistic sacrifices). The Japa yajna (sacrifice in the form of Japas) is far superior to thousands of Tapo yajnas (sacrifices in the form of penance). There is nothing superior to Dhyana yajna (meditation) which is the cause of true knowledge, since the yogin is able to see his favourite (deity) of equanimity through meditation. (45-46)
 
Linga is of two types: the exterior and the interior. The exterior is gross and the interior is subtle. Those who are engaged in ritualistic sacrifices and do regularly worship the gross Linga are unable to steady the mind by meditating upon the subtle and hence they use the gross Linga. He who has not mastered the Linga of the mind, the subtle one, must perform the worship in the gross Linga and not otherwise. The pure undying subtle Linga is ever perceived by the masters of true knowledge in the same manner as the gross one is thought to be very excellent by those who are not yogis. Till the realisation of perfect knowledge, a man should continue the ritualistic worship of Shiva. (51-54, 58)
 
Having an idol is very auspicious for a person who has no such knowledge. It is a ladder that enables him to climb to a higher position. It is very difficult to climb to a position without a support. The idol is only a means to achieve the Nirguṇa Shiva.  The attainment of the Nirguṇa through a Saguṇa is certainly possible. In this manner, the symbols of all lords are conducive to a steady faith and belief. Till the realisation of true knowledge, the idol shall necessarily be worshipped. If any one does not worship the idol before he attains perfect knowledge, his downfall is sure. (63-67)
 
Worship should be performed with devotion. Without worship and charitable gifts, sin cannot be kept at bay. As long as there is a vestige of sin in the body, achievement need not be expected. When the sin is wiped off, all rites will bear fruit. (69-70)

The root of true knowledge is unswerving devotion. The root of knowledge too is devotion. The root of devotion is good action and the worship of one’s own favourite deity. The root of that is the good preceptor. A good preceptor is secured only through association with good people. If one associates with good people, one will come across a preceptor. From the preceptor mantras and the modes of worship can be learned. Bhakti (devotion) is generated by worship and it gives birth to knowledge. Knowledge leads to perfect knowledge and realisation of the supreme Brahman. When there is perfect knowledge, differentiations cease altogether. When differentiation ceases, the misery of mutually clashing opposites vanishes. He who is free from the tangle of opposites and the miseries attendant on them assumes the form of Shiva. (73-77)

As long as the person continues the life of a householder, he shall perform the worship of the idols of the most excellent of the five deities (Ganesh, Sun, Vishnu, Shiva and Devi) with pleasure. Or it is enough if Shiva alone is worshipped. if Shiva is worshipped, all the gods are worshipped. (82-83)
 
Processes or Services of Puja:
Vidhyeshwara Samhita in Shiva Purana have explained various process or services of puja to attain the fruits with reference to Shiva Puja. The same processes of puja are relevant for other deities:

1. Desirelessness - Shiva rank is achievable by rendering service. The performer should be the person who is free from desire. (Chapter 3, shloka 18)
2. Shravana, Manana and Kritana - One, who establish Shiva linga or image and perform worship by Shravana, Manana and Kritana every day, crosses the ocean of worldly existence. (Chapter 5, shloka 1)
3. Glorifications - The essential means to attain great fruits is listening the glory of shiva, glorifying him by means of words, and meditating on him. (Chapter 3, shloka 21-24)
4. Deliberations - The steady continuance in the act of deliberation & meditation is most important. (Chapter 4, shloka 2) 
5. Glorification (Kirtana)  - It is the clear expression of Shiva’s attributes, forms, etc. in good taste. It is singing songs of praise. (Chapter 4, shloka 3)
6. Listening (Shravana) - It is achieved in the company of good persons. (Chapter 4, shloka Shravana, Manana and Kritana are the means in conformity of with Vedic ideals and are the excellent means of salvation. (Chapter 4, shloka 18-20)
   1. Days - The worship of Shiva and other deities on their respective tithis is conducive to full enjoyment for the devotees. If tithi extends to midday, that part of it which falls at sunrise shall be taken for worship of deities. (chapter 16 shlokas 26-27)
   2. Holy centres - One should strive to stay in the holy centre (Chapter 12, shloka 8). By staying in the Shiva region for seven, five, three or one night, one gradually attains Shiva region He will obtain results according to his conduct and befitting to his caste. (Chapter 11, shloka 59-61). When a Shiva temple is built by ordinary man, its phallic emblem is holy up the radius of 15-30 metres, if built by sages or deities, it is holy up to 150-300 metres, if phallic emblem is self-risen (Svayambhu), it is holy up to 600-1200 metres. (Chapter 11, shloka 55-56). Shiv Ji has himself raised temples and holy centres in different places for the liberation of the residents of the localities. In these holy centres and temples, ablutions, charitable gifts, japas etc. must be regularly performed to remain healthy and prosperous. (Chapter 12, shloka 5)   
   3. Ritualistic worship (Chapter 11, shlokas 24-29) –
7. Worships of the mobile emblem (12 fingers of devotee) with the sixteen types of services, shall accord gradually in the region of Shiva. The sixteen types of services are – invocation (Avahana), offering the seat (Asana), water of offering (Arghya), washing of feet (Padya), water for rinsing the mouth as a mystical rite (Achmana), oil bath (Abhyanga snana), offering of cloth (Vastra), Scents (Gandha), flowers (pushpa), incense (dhupa), lamps (deepa), food offering (Nivedana), waiving of light (Nirajana), beetal leaves (Tambula), obeisance (Namaskara), and mystical discharge and conclusion (Visargana).
8. Or the devotee need perform the rites from water offering to food offering alone duly.
9. Or the devotee shall daily, as he can, ablution (purification process - Abhisheka, bathing in river), food offering (Naivedya), and obeisance (Namaskara) and propitiation (Tarpana), - all these in order. It shall accord in the region of Shiva.
10. Or he shall perform all the sixteen rites in the phallic emblem of human, saintly or godly origin, or in naturally risen up (Svayambhu) or in one of the extra ordinary natures installed duly. By circumambulation and obeisance, he will attain Shiva’s region gradually.
    1. Penance: By suppressing the sense-organs with the mind, penance takes place. Penance is performed with steady & firm mind, by observing sacred rites and muttering mantras. Penances are done in difficuly physical postures such as by lifting hands, standing on only one leg and gazing at the sun, amidst fires, and gradually reducing intake of water & food.
    2. Japa worship - Repetition of mantras are efficacious depending upon the intensity & numbers of times done. Repetition of Pranav Om mantra ten thousand every day or a thousand times at the time of dawn and at dusk, it purifies mind. (Chapter 11, shloka 36-39) Repetition of five syllabled mantra – Namah Shivay – is especially efficacious with the pranav OM prefixed. The mantra received from the preceptor by proper initiation brings desired fruits. Repetition of the mantra five crore times will render him equal to Sadashiv. By repetition of the mantra one, two, three or four crore times, one attains the level of Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra or Maheshvara respectively. (Chapter 11, shloka 42-45) If a mantra consists of only one syllable it shall be first repeated a crore time and thereafter a thousand times with great devotion. (Chapter 11, shloka 51) Doing thus according to one’s capacity one shall gradually attain Shiva’s region. It is duty of everyone to repeat a mantra pleasing to him every day till death. (Chapter 11, shloka 52) If a person repeats “Om” a thousand times he shall get his desires fulfilled at the bidding of Shiva. If one renders service by sweeping and cleaning Shiva temple, he shall attain Shiva region. (Chapter 11, shloka 53) 

Worship of Idols: (Vidhyeshwara Samhita chapter 16 shlokas 3- 22)
The worship of idols made of clay etc. is conducive to attainment of all cherished desires in the world. Sit in lotus pose and worship respectfully. The five deities Ganesh, Sun, Vishnu, Parvati and Shiva shall be usually worshipped (chapter 16 shlokas 3- 22).

1. By worship of Ganesh, the devotee shall attain his wish in this world itself. The days of special worship of Ganesh are Fridays, the fourth day of the bright half of the lunar months of Shraavana & Bhadrapada, and the satabhiksha star of the month of Dhanus. Worship on these days or continuously for hundred or thousand days (chapter 16 shlokas 3- 22).
2. A person who seeks prosperity shall worship Ma Parvati who bestows all worldly pleasures on Mondays, Navami and in the star of Margashirsha. Navami of the month Ashwin in the bright moon accords desired results.
3. The worship of Sri Skandika (Karttikeya) on Tuesdays and by gifting lamp & bell etc., the person gains power of speech. (chapter 16 shloka 53)
4. The worship of Vishnu on Wednesdays in the month of Kartika together with the gifts cooked rice with curd yields good progeny. (chapter 16 shloka 54)

 
Reference: Chapters 3.4,5 6, 16 & 17, Vidhyeshwara Samhita, Chapter 12 Rudra-saṃhita (Srishti-khaṇḍa) of Shiva Purana