Shloka 24

Aghora-Mantra Japa: Graded Expiations, Pañcagavya Purification, and Homa for Mahāpātaka-Nivṛtti

Devanagari script

यवैश् च व्रीहिभिश्चैव जुहुयाद्वै पृथक्पृथक् प्रत्येकं सप्तवारं तु द्रव्यालाभे घृतेन तु

Transliteration

yavaiś ca vrīhibhiścaiva juhuyādvai pṛthakpṛthak pratyekaṃ saptavāraṃ tu dravyālābhe ghṛtena tu

Translation

Man soll die Opfergaben getrennt mit Gerste und mit Reis darbringen; jede dieser Gaben ist siebenmal zu opfern. Sind die vorgeschriebenen Stoffe nicht verfügbar, soll man stattdessen mit Ghee opfern.

Word by Word

• यवैः: with barley

• च: and

• व्रीहिभिः: with rice grains

• च एव: and indeed

• जुहुयात्: one should offer into the fire (perform homa)

• वै: certainly

• पृथक्-पृथक्: separately, one by one

• प्रत्येकम्: each (item/oblations)

• सप्त-वारम्: seven times

• तु: moreover

• द्रव्य-अलाभे: when materials are not obtained/available

• घृतेन: with ghee

• तु: then/indeed

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating traditional Shiva-puja/homa procedure to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It standardizes a Shiva-oriented homa sequence—separate oblations of barley and rice, repeated seven times—showing that disciplined ritual action (kriyā) can support Linga-puja as a purifying approach toward Pati (Shiva).

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it presents Shiva as Pati who accepts devotion through regulated offerings; the allowance of ghee as a substitute emphasizes inner intention and continuity of worship over mere material abundance, aligning with Shaiva emphasis on sincere upāsanā that loosens pasha (bondage) on the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A homa-based puja practice: offering barley and rice separately, seven times each, with ghee permitted as a substitute when materials are lacking—supporting the preparatory purity (śuddhi) that complements Shaiva sādhanā and Pashupata-oriented discipline.