Shloka 43
नरकयातनावर्णनम् / Description of Hell-Torments for Specific Transgressions
हंतकारस्तथैवान्यो धेन्वा स्तनचतुष्टयम् । स्वाहाकारं स्तनं देवास्स्वधां च पितरस्तथा
haṃtakārastathaivānyo dhenvā stanacatuṣṭayam | svāhākāraṃ stanaṃ devāssvadhāṃ ca pitarastathā
Another utterance is “haṁt-kāra”; and the cow is said to have four teats. The gods partake of one teat as “svāhā,” and likewise the Pitṛs partake of another as “svadhā.”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It frames sacred utterances (like svāhā and svadhā) as channels through which cosmic recipients are nourished, implying that sound, offering, and order (dharma) are interconnected—ultimately grounded in Shiva’s supreme governance as Pati.
In Shiva-centered practice, all Vedic offerings and their mantric calls are understood to be empowered by Shiva; thus, honoring the Linga/Saguna Shiva aligns and sanctifies yajña—benefiting both Devas (svāhā) and Pitṛs (svadhā).
It points to correct mantra-usage in offerings—reciting “svāhā” for Devas and “svadhā” for Pitṛs—while maintaining Shaiva remembrance (e.g., mentally anchoring the rite in Shiva as the inner witness of all sacrifice).