Shloka 53
प्रणवमहिमा — The Greatness of the Praṇava (Om) as Śiva
ततः स्नात्वा यथा पूर्वं श्रपयित्वा चरुं ततः । पौरुषं सूक्तमारभ्य विरजान्तं हुनेद्बुधः
tataḥ snātvā yathā pūrvaṃ śrapayitvā caruṃ tataḥ | pauruṣaṃ sūktamārabhya virajāntaṃ hunedbudhaḥ
Then, having bathed as prescribed earlier and having cooked the caru, the sacrificial rice-porridge, the wise devotee should offer oblations into the fire, beginning with the Pauruṣa Sūkta and continuing in order up to the hymn that ends with Virajā—thus completing the rite in disciplined Shaiva spirit.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadyojāta
Type: rudram
Role: creative
FAQs
It emphasizes inner and outer purity—bath, disciplined preparation, and mantra-guided offering—showing that devotion to Shiva is strengthened when worship is performed with order (vidhi) and clarity of intention, supporting liberation-oriented Shaiva practice.
Though the verse speaks of homa with Vedic hymns, its intent aligns with Saguna Shiva worship: offerings and mantras become a means to approach Shiva as the gracious Lord (Pati) who accepts ritual devotion and elevates the bound soul (paśu).
A fire-offering (homa) using cooked caru, performed after ritual bathing, with recitation beginning from the Pauruṣa Sūkta and proceeding to the Virajā-ending portion—i.e., mantra-led oblations as a focused devotional discipline.