Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 144
नैकवस्त्रश्च भुंजीत नाग्नौ होममथाचरेत् । न चार्चयेद्द्विजान्नैव कुर्याद्देवार्चनं बुधः
naikavastraśca bhuṃjīta nāgnau homamathācaret | na cārcayeddvijānnaiva kuryāddevārcanaṃ budhaḥ
لا ينبغي للعابد الحكيم أن يأكل وهو لابسٌ ثوبًا واحدًا فقط، ولا أن يُجري قربان النار (هوما) على وجهٍ غير لائق. وإذا كان في حالٍ تُخالف انضباط نذر الماهيشڤرا، فلا يُقيم عبادةً طقسية للدڤيجا (البراهمة)، ولا يُجري عبادة الآلهة على نحوٍ رسمي.
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Listener: Śaiva observer / king addressed as nṛpottama in surrounding verses
Scene: A devotee preparing for Śiva worship adjusts clean garments, sets aside food until properly attired, and arranges homa implements correctly. A brāhmaṇa sits nearby, honored respectfully but not as a substitute ritual when the observer’s discipline is incomplete.
FAQs
Śaiva observance requires disciplined conduct; worship and ritual acts should be done only in a proper, regulated state.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it focuses on vrata-ācāra (discipline) within the Māheśvara tradition.
Guidance is given about when not to perform homa and formal worship, emphasizing correct conditions and restraint.