Śivasaṃhitā 5.47

This verse introduces the initiation protocol (dīkṣā) in the ṣaṭcakra section: before receiving teachings on the energy centers, the practitioner must have completed prior practices—worship of Īśvara, stable āsana—and be prepared to please (ārādhana) the guru. The sequence is not arbitrary: knowledge of the chakra system can only be transmitted and assimilated on a solid foundation of personal practice.

Samabhyarcya—“having completely worshipped”—combines sam (completely, perfectly), abhi (toward, in reference to), and arcaya (to worship, perform pūjā). Worshipping Īśvara before receiving knowledge of the subtle body is acknowledgment that this knowledge is sacred, not merely technical. Yogamuttama—“the most excellent yoga”—may refer to the yoga practiced until that point or the specific yoga about to be received.

The initiation structure described in this verse reflects the practice of tantrābhiṣeka—the tantric baptism—where the disciple prepares his energy field before receiving the teacher’s transmission. In the Śaiva system, the guru transmits not only information but śaktipāta: the energy transmission that activates the process. Without adequate preparation by the disciple, this transmission does not penetrate deeply but remains superficial.