Shloka 14

Devanagari script

तेषां होमक्रिया धर्म: पठचयज्ञनिषेवणम्‌ | भागं च पजञ्चयज्ञस्य वेदोक्तस्यथानुपालनम्‌,प्रतिदिन अग्निहोत्र और पंचमहायज्ञोंका सेवन वानप्रस्थोंका धर्म है। उन्हें विभागपूर्वक वेदोक्त पंच-यज्ञोंका निरन्तर पालन करना चाहिये

Transliteration

teṣāṁ homakriyā dharmaḥ paṭhya-yajña-niṣevaṇam | bhāgaṁ ca pañca-yajñasya vedoktasyātha-anupālanam ||

Translation

For them (the forest-dwelling ascetics), the rightful duty is the performance of fire-offerings (homa) and the continual practice of the prescribed daily sacrifices. They should also, in due and orderly portions, unfailingly observe the five Vedic sacrifices (pañca-yajña) as enjoined—thus sustaining sacred order through disciplined ritual and study.

Word by Word

तेषाम्of them (of those)

होमक्रियाthe act of oblation (homa-rite)

धर्मःduty; prescribed practice

पञ्चयज्ञनिषेवणम्practice/observance of the five sacrifices

भागम्a portion; share

चand

पञ्चयज्ञस्यof the fivefold sacrifice (pañca-yajña)

वेदोक्तस्यas enjoined in the Veda

अथthen; moreover

अनुपालनम्continuous observance; following

Speaker

श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच

Characters & Entities

Śrī Maheśvara (speaker)

homa (fire-offering)

pañca-yajña / pañcamahāyajña (five great sacrifices)

Veda (as authority for injunctions)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches that a vānaprastha’s dharma is disciplined continuity: daily fire-offerings (agnihotra/homa), sacred study/recitation, and the steady observance of the five Vedic sacrifices in an orderly manner, so that life in the forest remains anchored in Vedic responsibility rather than mere withdrawal.

What is happening in the narrative?

Śrī Maheśvara is instructing about āśrama-dharma, specifying the prescribed conduct for those in the vānaprastha stage: maintaining ritual fire, engaging in recitation/study, and regularly performing the pañcamahāyajñas according to Vedic injunction.