Chapter 39 of 43 · Koti Rudra Samhita · Overall chapter 310 of 464
Shivaratri's Udyapana
Asked specifically about the closing rite that completes fourteen years of Shivaratri observance, Suta details the elaborate mandala, golden images of Shiva and Parvati, and gifts to the presiding preceptor that formally conclude the vow and secure its full accumulated merit.
The rishis said
For the Shivaratri vow, tell us the rules for its udyapana, the formal conclusion, so that Shankara himself is surely pleased.
Suta replied
Rishis, hear lovingly about udyapana, for doing it surely completes the vow. The auspicious Shivaratri vow should be kept for fourteen years. One eats once on trayodashi and fasts on chaturdashi. When Shivaratri arrives, the daily rites are done properly. Then one goes to Shiva's temple and worships there by the rules. There he draws the divine mandala called Gouritilaka, famous in the three worlds, and in its middle etches the divine Lingatobhadra. Or at the end of the pavilion he draws the Sarvatobhadra. Auspicious pots called Prajapatya pots are placed around the sides of the mandala, wrapped in cloth, filled with gifts and topped with a fruit. Another golden pot is set in the centre. According to his means, the one keeping the vow makes a golden image of Shambhu with Uma, from a pala of gold or half a pala. Shivaa's image is placed on the left and Shiva's on the right, and both are worshipped in the night. He chooses a worthy and auspicious preceptor with assistant priests, and with their permission worships Shiva devoutly. He stays awake all night and worships in each watch. All who keep the vow sing and dance through the night. So the god is worshipped and satisfied properly. In the morning the worship is repeated with oblations. As far as he can, he performs the Prajapatya rites by the rules, gladly feeds brahmanas and devoutly gives gifts. The assistant priests and their wives are given garments and ornaments, and when they are adorned, each is given gifts separately. A cow with her calf, properly prepared, is given to the preceptor with the words, "May Shiva be pleased through this." The preceptor is also given the pot, the image, the garments and ornaments, all placed on a bull. Then he prays to the radiant god Mahesha, shoulders bowed, hands joined, voice choked with love: "Lord of the gods, Mahadeva, kind to those who take refuge, by this vow show me compassion. Shivaa, I have kept this vow according to my devotion. Shankara, let it be completed through your favour. Shankara, if in this repetition and worship I have done anything knowingly or unknowingly, still by your favour let it be complete." Saying this, he offers flowers to Shiva, the paramatman, bows and prays again. Doing so, nothing in the vow remains incomplete, and he will surely succeed in all his mind wishes.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.