Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8

अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः

Agnikārya and Homa Procedure

Devanagari script

मेखलामध्यतः कुर्यात्पश्चिमे दक्षिणे ऽपि वा । शोभनामग्नितः किंचिन्निम्नामुन्मीलिकां शनैः

Transliteration

mekhalāmadhyataḥ kuryātpaścime dakṣiṇe 'pi vā | śobhanāmagnitaḥ kiṃcinnimnāmunmīlikāṃ śanaiḥ

Translation

Aus der Mitte der Mekhalā (der Umfassungslinie des Altars) soll man es anlegen—entweder auf der West- oder auf der Südseite. Vom Feuer aus soll man langsam eine schöne Öffnung schaffen, leicht vertieft, als Abfluss bzw. Ausgang.

Word by Word

• मेखलामध्यतः: from the middle of the mekhalā (ring/belt)
• मेखलामध्यतः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मेखला + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘from the middle of the belt/zone’

• कुर्यात्: should make/do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पश्चिमे: in the west
• पश्चिमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; दिक्-देशवाचक

• दक्षिणे: in the south
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; दिक्-देशवाचक

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/सम्भावनार्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• शोभनाम्: beautiful
• शोभनाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोभना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (उन्मीलिकाम् इत्यस्य)

• अग्नितः: from the fire-side / from the fire
• अग्नितः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): ‘from/starting at the fire’

• किञ्चित्: a little
• किञ्चित्: Visheshana (विशेषण/degree)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम/अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाणार्थक-अव्यय (a little/somewhat)

• निम्नाम्: low, depressed
• निम्नाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निम्ना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (उन्मीलिकाम् इत्यस्य)

• उन्मीलिकाम्: a raised/curved ridge (uṇmīlikā)
• उन्मीलिकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उन्मीलिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शनैः: slowly
• शनैः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रिया-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैस् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb): ‘slowly/gradually’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It emphasizes disciplined, orderly sacred action: careful arrangement around the fire supports inner steadiness, making ritual a vehicle for purity and Shiva-oriented contemplation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Such altar instructions commonly accompany Saguna Shiva worship, where outer precision (fire, space, directions) mirrors inner reverence, preparing the practitioner for offerings and mantra-centered devotion to Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a practical step of agni-ritual layout—creating a gentle, slightly lowered outlet/opening near the western or southern side—done slowly and carefully as part of a Shaiva rite.