Shloka 150

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

अग्नौ न तापयेत्पादौ हस्तं पद्भ्यां न संस्पृशेत् अग्नेर्नोच्छ्रयम् आसीत नाग्नौ किंचिन् मलं त्यजेत्

Transliteration

agnau na tāpayetpādau hastaṃ padbhyāṃ na saṃspṛśet agnernocchrayam āsīta nāgnau kiṃcin malaṃ tyajet

Translation

Man soll die Füße nicht am heiligen Feuer wärmen und die Hände nicht mit den Füßen berühren. Man soll nicht so sitzen, dass der Körper über das Feuer erhoben ist, und niemals Unrat oder Abfall ins Feuer werfen. So wird das Feuer als reine rituelle Gegenwart in der Verehrung Patis, Śivas, geehrt.

Word by Word

• अग्नौ: in/into the (sacred) fire

• न: not

• तापयेत्: should warm/heat

• पादौ: the feet

• हस्तम्: the hand(s)

• पद्भ्याम्: with the feet

• न: not

• संस्पृशेत्: should touch

• अग्नेः: of the fire/from the fire

• न: not

• उच्छ्रयम्: raised position/elevation

• आसीत: one should sit

• न: not

• अग्नौ: into the fire

• किंचित्: anything whatsoever

• मलम्: impurity/filth/refuse

• त्यजेत्: should throw/cast

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Purāṇic ritual conduct to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches āchāra (ritual discipline): Agni used in Śaiva rites must be treated as a pure, divine medium, so disrespectful acts (warming feet, contaminating it, or improper posture) are prohibited to preserve the sanctity of Linga-pūjā.

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

By insisting on purity and reverence toward Agni as a sacred presence, the verse implies that worship is directed to Pati (Śiva) through consecrated means; discipline in externals supports recognition of Śiva as the supremely pure reality beyond mala (impurity).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual purity (śauca) and respectful conduct around the consecrated fire—practices that stabilize the sādhaka’s mind and support Pāśupata-oriented worship and self-restraint.