Shloka 16

Devanagari script

स्वशाखाध्ययनं विप्र ब्रह्मयज्ञ इति स्मृतः अग्नौ जुहोति यच्चान्नं देवयज्ञ इति स्मृतः

Transliteration

svaśākhādhyayanaṃ vipra brahmayajña iti smṛtaḥ agnau juhoti yaccānnaṃ devayajña iti smṛtaḥ

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, the study of one’s own Vedic recension is remembered as the Brahma-yajña. And whatever food-offering one pours into the sacred fire is remembered as the Deva-yajña.

Word by Word

• स्व-शाखा-अध्ययनम्: study of one’s own Vedic branch

• विप्र: O brāhmaṇa/sage

• ब्रह्म-यज्ञः: sacrifice to Brahman (Vedic study as worship)

• इति: thus

• स्मृतः: is remembered/declared

• अग्नौ: into the fire

• जुहोति: offers (as oblation)

• यत्: whatever

• च: and

• अन्नम्: food, offering

• देव-यज्ञः: sacrifice to the Devas

• इति: thus

• स्मृतः: is remembered/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the dharma-teaching within the Linga Purana to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Devas

FAQs

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

It frames Shiva-oriented dharma on a Vedic foundation: svādhyāya (Brahma-yajña) and fire-offerings (Deva-yajña) purify the practitioner, making the mind fit for Linga-puja and devotion to Pati (Shiva).

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

Indirectly, it shows Shiva-tattva as approached through disciplined dharma: honoring Veda (Brahman) and the cosmic powers (Devas) supports the soul (pashu) in loosening bondage (pāśa) and turning toward the Supreme Lord (Pati), Shiva.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Two practices are highlighted: svashākhā-adhyayana (Vedic self-study) as Brahma-yajña, and agnihotra-style oblations of food into Agni as Deva-yajña—both serving as preparatory purification aligned with Pashupata discipline.