Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 1
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
उपमन्युरुवाच । अथाग्निकार्यं वक्ष्यामि कुण्डे वा स्थंडिले ऽपि वा । वेद्यां वा ह्यायसे पात्रे मृन्मये वा नवे शुभे
upamanyuruvāca | athāgnikāryaṃ vakṣyāmi kuṇḍe vā sthaṃḍile 'pi vā | vedyāṃ vā hyāyase pātre mṛnmaye vā nave śubhe
Upamanyu sprach: „Nun will ich das mit dem heiligen Feuer verbundene Ritual darlegen—sei es in einem Kuṇḍa (Feuergrube) oder auch auf einem vorbereiteten Erdaltar; oder auf einer Vedī, oder in einem eisernen Gefäß, oder in einem neuen, glückverheißenden Tongefäß.“
Upamanyu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Instruction on agni-rite frames disciplined worship as a stabilizing sādhana (sthiti) that purifies the bound soul and supports steady devotion.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that the sanctity of Shiva-oriented worship is grounded in disciplined intention and proper procedure, not merely in elaborate materials—multiple valid settings for the sacred fire are permitted when performed with purity and reverence.
Agni-karya functions as an auxiliary rite supporting Saguna Shiva worship, where offerings and consecrated actions help steady devotion and focus the mind toward Shiva’s gracious presence in worship, including Linga-puja.
It points to performing a regulated fire-offering setup (in a kuṇḍa, on a sthaṇḍila/vedi, or in suitable vessels), implying careful preparation and purity—often paired in Shaiva practice with mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) during offerings.