With deep reverence, the devotee approaches the worship of the Lord, beginning with circumambulation of the deity, followed by prostrations, heartfelt praise, and the humble offering of oneself. With folded hands, one respectfully states their requests, performing each act with devotion and humility. After these acts of homage, the devotee offers arghya—water for respectful greeting—and a handful of fresh flowers. Forming the prescribed mudrā with the hands, one then seeks forgiveness from the deity, withdrawing the mind inward to meditate upon the Lord within the heart. If circumstances are difficult and time or resources are limited, it is permitted to offer only flowers, or to perform the essential rites—from offering water for the feet (pādya), to mouth fragrance and arghya—with sincere devotion. Still, the highest dharma is fulfilled through devotion alone. One must not eat without first offering worship, unless the very departure of life is at hand. Should a sinner eat freely, disregarding the sacred order, there is no expiation for such an act. But if one eats by mistake, one should strive to expel the food with effort. Afterward, the devotee should bathe, worship the deity with twice the usual devotion, and fast along with the goddess. Observing celibacy, one should undertake a ten-thousand-fold worship of Śiva. On the following day, according to one’s ability, one should offer gold or other gifts to Śiva or to a devotee of Śiva, perform a great act of worship, and thus attain purity. Now, regarding the details of worship not yet mentioned—such as the use of lotuses and other offerings—these will be briefly described, though not in every detail. Before offering the oblation and after lighting the lamp, the worship of the enclosures surrounding the deity should be performed, either at the time of waving the lights or as appropriate. In the first enclosure, one should recite mantras ranging from Īśāna to Sadyānta, and from Rudra to Astrānta, or those dedicated to Śiva and Śivā. In each direction—northeast, east, south, north, west, southeast, northeast, and southwest—worship is offered. In the northwest, again in the northeast, and in all four directions, the innermost enclosure is reached, or the collection of mantras is recited. From the heart mantra up to the weapon mantra, worship is performed. Outside this, to the east, Indra is worshipped; to the south, Yama; in the west, Varuṇa; in the north, Kubera and Budha; in the northeast, Agni in his own place; in the southwest, Nirṛti. In the northwest, Vāyu; in the northeast, Viṣṇu; in the southwest, the prescribed Īśvara. Outside the lotus, the weapons—Vajra and others—are worshipped up to the edge of the lotus. In proper order, all the well-known forms of the guardians of the directions are worshipped, as are the god and goddess and all the deities of the enclosures. With hands joined in reverence, the devotee meditates upon them, envisioning them seated comfortably, and addresses each deity by name with salutations. Worship with flowers follows, bowing to each in turn, including the innermost enclosure or the devotee’s own enclosure. Whether in yoga, meditation, recitation, or fire-offering—performed externally or internally—the oblation should be of six pure kinds, often made of mung beans. Offerings may include rice cooked with milk and curd, sweetened with jaggery and honey, singly or in combination, blended with various ingredients. The best curd, churned with pieces of jaggery, is given, as are the finest sweets such as apūpa and delicious fruits. Water, adorned with red sandalwood and flowers, cool and soft, flavored with cardamom and a piece of areca nut, is offered. Betel leaves, mixed with khadira and other auspicious substances, fair and golden-hued, properly prepared, are presented, along with mountain-like white powder that is neither harsh nor impure. Camphor, long pepper, fresh nutmeg, and similar items are included. The unguent for anointing is sandalwood, made from the root, wood, or dust. Musk, saffron, and the juice of deer musk are offered, along with fragrant, pure, and auspicious flowers. Flowers that are odorless, foul-smelling, spoiled, stale, or fallen of their own accord are never to be offered in the worship of Śiva. The garments presented are soft, some woven with refined gold, and the ornaments especially shine like circles of lightning. All are perfumed thoroughly with camphor, resin, agaru, and sandalwood, and are further scented with heaps of flowers. Incense, prepared from sandalwood, agaru, camphor, wood, guggulu powder, clarified butter, and honey, is highly praised. Lamps are always lit with the most fragrant ghee from tawny cows, mixed with camphor, and are considered excellent. The five sacred products of the cow—milk, curd, and ghee, all from tawny cows—are especially dear to Śambhu for bathing and drinking. Auspicious seats made of ivory, adorned with gold and jewels, and covered with beautiful, variegated cloths are provided. Beds with soft cushions, made of fine cotton, in various heights, delightful and comfortable, are arranged. Water for bathing and drinking is drawn from rivers flowing to the ocean or from lakes, cooled and filtered through cloth for purity. A charming umbrella, radiant like the moon, adorned with strings of pearls, set with nine kinds of gems, divine, with a golden handle, is offered. White, fine fly-whisks, decorated with gold, shaped like a pair of royal swans with jeweled handles, are presented. A mirror, very clear and anointed with divine fragrance, covered with jewels and adorned with garlands, is set before the deity. A conch with a deep sound, resembling a swan, jasmine, or the moon, set with jewels and gold, is used. Beautiful kettledrums, producing various sounds, made of gold and decorated with pearls, are played. Drums, mridangas, small cymbals, and paṭahas, with a sound like the ocean, are carefully arranged, filling the atmosphere with auspicious music. Thus, with devotion, purity, and careful attention to every detail, the worship of Śiva is performed, honoring the Lord and all the divine beings who surround Him.