Shloka 149
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
कुशस्तम्बे जुहोत्यग्निं सुवर्णे तत्र च स्थिते । वल्मीकस्य वपायां च कर्णे वाजस्य दक्षिणे
kuśastambe juhoty agniṁ suvarṇe tatra ca sthite | valmīkasya vapāyāṁ ca karṇe vājasya dakṣiṇe |
Vasiṣṭha said: Some men, relying on Vedic authority, perform offerings into what they recognize as the very form of Agni—even when the fire is kindled in unusual loci: on a clump or stalk of kuśa-grass, upon gold placed there, within an anthill’s opening, or upon the right ear of a goat. When such a rite is duly completed with that faith in scriptural testimony, Agni, the divine Fire, is said to partake of it and to experience a delight that yields prosperity.
वसिष्ठ उवाच
Educational Q&A
That the validity and fruit of a Vedic rite depend on śāstric authorization and correct ritual intention; even atypical ritual loci can be treated as Agni’s form when grounded in Vedic testimony and performed properly.
Vasiṣṭha explains that some practitioners, trusting Vedic proof, perform homa by recognizing Agni’s presence in various unusual supports (kuśa-clump, gold, anthill opening, goat’s right ear), and that upon completion Agni is pleased and grants prosperity.