Shloka 36

अग्नियज्ञ-देवयज्ञ-ब्रह्मयज्ञ-गुरुपूजा-क्रमनिरूपणम् / Ordering and Definitions of Agniyajña, Devayajña, Brahmayajña, and Guru-Pūjā

Devanagari script

देवानां नित्ययजने विशेषयजनेपि च । स्नाने दाने जपे होमे ब्राह्मणानां च तर्पणे

Transliteration

devānāṃ nityayajane viśeṣayajanepi ca | snāne dāne jape home brāhmaṇānāṃ ca tarpaṇe

Translation

In the daily worship of the gods and also in special sacrificial rites; in purificatory bathing, in charitable giving, in mantra-recitation (japa), in fire-offerings (homa), and in the satiating offerings (tarpaṇa) made to Brāhmaṇas—these are the prescribed sacred acts.

Word by Word

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• नित्य-यजने: in regular worship
• नित्य-यजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विशेष-यजने: in special worship
• विशेष-यजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक) + यजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/समुच्चयार्थक (particle: ‘also/even’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• स्नाने: in bathing
• स्नाने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दाने: in giving (charity)
• दाने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जपे: in mantra-recitation
• जपे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• होमे: in fire-offering
• होमे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक

• तर्पणे: in (the act of) satiating/oblations (tarpaṇa)
• तर्पणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa’s ritual teachings to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General ritual taxonomy (nitya/viśeṣa yajña; snāna, dāna, japa, homa, brāhmaṇa-tarpaṇa) rather than a site-specific legend.

Significance: Establishes a comprehensive dharma-ritual regimen; in Siddhānta terms, these are auxiliary purificatory acts that steady the paśu and prepare for Śiva-bhakti and eventual anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It lists core karmic disciplines—purification (snāna), generosity (dāna), mantra-practice (japa), consecrated offering (homa), and reverent service to Brāhmaṇas (tarpaṇa)—as supports for dharma that steady the devotee’s mind and make worship fruitful in a Śaiva life of practice.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

These acts are the practical framework around Saguna worship—especially Linga-pūjā—because purity, mantra-japa, and offerings prepare the devotee to approach Śiva with devotion (bhakti) and right conduct, turning ritual into inward refinement aligned with Śaiva Siddhānta.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular japa—ideally of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—along with disciplined snāna and simple homa/offerings, and respectful tarpaṇa/service to Brāhmaṇas as part of one’s daily (nitya) and festival (viśeṣa) observances.