Shloka 61
Gṛhapati’s Vow: Turning Grief into Mṛtyuñjaya–Mahākāla Sādhana (गृहपतेः प्रतिज्ञा—मृत्युंजय-महाकालजपः)
अग्निहोत्ररता विप्राः स्थापिता ब्रह्मचारिणः । पश्चानिवर्त्तिनोऽप्येवमग्निलोकेग्निवर्चसः
agnihotraratā viprāḥ sthāpitā brahmacāriṇaḥ | paścānivarttino'pyevamagnilokegnivarcasaḥ
Brahmins devoted to the Agnihotra, established in the discipline of brahmacarya, likewise become non-returners; they attain the world of Agni (Agni-loka), radiant with the splendor of fire.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it teaches Vedic fire-dharma (Agnihotra, brahmacarya) as a meritorious discipline yielding ascent to Agniloka and the status of ‘non-returner’ (paścānivṛtti) within that karmic trajectory.
Significance: Merit (puṇya) and luminous post-mortem ascent through disciplined Vedic observance; in Śaiva Siddhānta terms, this is dharma supporting the paśu’s gradual purification, not final mokṣa without Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
It praises disciplined Vedic duty—Agnihotra performed with brahmacarya—as a purifier that elevates the soul to a higher state described as “non-returning,” culminating in a luminous, merit-born realm (Agniloka).
In Shaiva reading, outer rites like Agnihotra support inner purity and steadiness; that purified life becomes fit for Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-sevā), where devotion and right conduct mature toward liberation.
Regular Agnihotra (fire-offering) supported by brahmacarya—sense-restraint, truthfulness, and disciplined living—so worship is performed with clarity and spiritual radiance.