On the banks of a river, within a tranquil pond, atop a mountain, deep in the forest, or in the sacred halls of a temple dedicated to Śiva—wherever there is purity—there, the worship of the earthen liṅga is prescribed. In such a pure place, the twice-born devotee gathers earth with care, fashioning the Śiva liṅga with focused attention and reverence. The color of the liṅga reflects the nature of the worshipper: for a brāhmaṇa, white is remembered; for a kṣatriya, red; for a vaiśya, yellow upon the arms; for a śūdra, black upon the feet—or whatever color is available. The clay, carefully collected for this sacred purpose, is placed in an auspicious spot. Once purified, the clay is gently shaped into a lump, and the liṅga is formed in accordance with the Vedic path, creating an auspicious emblem of Śiva. With devotion, the worshipper then begins the ritual to attain both worldly enjoyment and liberation. The procedure unfolds as follows: first, with the mantra “Salutation to Śiva,” the worship materials are sprinkled; then, with “The earth was,” the sanctity of the site is established. Purification with water is performed using the mantra “You are water,” and the binding of the crystal is accomplished with “Salutations to you, Rudra.” The site is further purified with the mantra “To Śambhu,” and the five nectars are sprinkled with the earlier salutation. The excellent installation of the Śaṃkara liṅga is carried out with the mantra “To the blue-throated one” and the preceding salutation. A beautiful seat is provided for the liṅga, following Vedic procedure, with the mantra “To that Rudra.” Invocation is performed with “You are great in honor,” and the seating with “O Rudra, proceed.” The nyāsa for Śiva is done with “I come with the arrow,” and consecration is lovingly performed with “He declared.” The installation of deities takes place with “With vital force,” and obstacles are removed with “He who moves.” Arghya is offered with the Rudra Gāyatrī, and sipping of water is performed with the Tryambaka mantra. Bathing the liṅga with milk is done with “Milk is of the earth,” and with the “Dadhikrāvan” mantra, curds are used for bathing. Bathing with honey and sugar is also prescribed, known as the five nectars; alternatively, the pādya mantra may be used for bathing with the five nectars. The devotee lovingly ties the girdle with “O Mind, in the child,” or puts on the upper garment with “Salutation to the bold one.” Cloth is offered to Śiva with “That weapon of yours,” recited with love and four ṛks, according to Vedic rule. Fragrance is offered with “Salutation to the dogs,” recited lovingly and with the ṛk. Flowers are offered with “Salutation to Pārya,” or with the flower mantra; bilva leaves are offered with “Salutation to Parṇya,” or as prescribed. Incense is offered with “Salutation to Kapardī,” and a lamp with the ṛk “Salutation to Āśava.” The finest food is offered with “namojyeṣṭhāya,” followed by ācamana with the “tryambakam” mantra. Fruit is offered with the verse “imā rudrāya,” and everything is dedicated to Śambhu with “namo vrajyāya.” The Rudras are worshipped with the mantras “mano mahāntam” and “mānastoke,” using these two mantras and eleven akṣaras. Dakṣiṇā is offered with three verses beginning “hiraṇyagarbha,” and abhiṣeka is performed with “devasyatve.” The rite of nirājana is performed with the lamp mantra for Śambhu, and a handful of flowers is offered with devotion, using the three verses “imā rudrāya.” Pradakṣiṇā is performed with “mano mahāntam,” and a full prostration with “mānastoke.” The gesture of fearlessness is shown with “yatoyata,” and the gesture of knowledge with “tryambaka.” The great mudrā is displayed with “namaḥseneti,” the cow mudrā is shown, and with “namoge,” the mudrā is indicated. After displaying the five mudrās, the Śiva mantra is recited, and the one skilled in the Vedas recites the Śatarudriya mantra. The recitation of the five limbs follows, and with “devāgāt,” the dismissal of Śambhu is performed. Thus, Vyāsa has stated the Vedic procedure for Śiva worship. Now, hear the supreme Vedic rite in summary: clay is taken with “sadyojāta,” water is sprinkled with “vāmadevāya,” the liṅga is fashioned with “aghoreṇa,” and invocation is performed with “tatpuruṣāya.” Hara is joined to the altar with “īśāna,” and all other procedures are performed concisely by the wise. With the five-syllable mantra given by the guru, worship is performed with sixteen offerings, according to the prescribed method. Bhava, the destroyer of existence, the great god, the fierce one, the destroyer of fierceness, Śarva, the one with the moon on his head, is contemplated. With this mantra, or another, the wise worship Śaṃkara, abandoning error and offering pure devotion, for Śiva grants the fruit solely through devotion. Thus, the Vedic sequence of worship has been stated. Now, the general procedure is properly explained for the twice-born, completing the sacred ritual as prescribed.