Shloka 8
अग्नियज्ञ-देवयज्ञ-ब्रह्मयज्ञ-गुरुपूजा-क्रमनिरूपणम् / Ordering and Definitions of Agniyajña, Devayajña, Brahmayajña, and Guru-Pūjā
अग्नियज्ञो ह्ययं प्रोक्तो दिवा सूर्यनिवेशनात् । इंद्रा दीन्सकलान्देवानुद्दिश्याग्नौ जुहोतियत्
agniyajño hyayaṃ prokto divā sūryaniveśanāt | iṃdrā dīnsakalāndevānuddiśyāgnau juhotiyat
This is called the Agni-yajña, because it is performed in the daytime, when the Sun is established in the sky. In it, one offers oblations into the sacred fire, dedicating them to Indra and to all the other Devas—while understanding that such rites are ultimately fulfilled only by Śiva, the Lord of all.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: rudram
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It defines Agni-yajña as a daytime rite and frames Deva-invocation as a disciplined sacrificial act that, in Shaiva understanding, finds its highest completion when oriented toward Śiva, the supreme Lord (Pati) behind all cosmic functions.
While the verse speaks in Vedic ritual language (offerings to Indra and other Devas), the Vidyeśvara context emphasizes that outer rites are to be integrated with devotion to Saguna Śiva—often centered on the Liṅga—so the sacrifice becomes Śiva-arpana (an offering to Śiva).
Perform a daytime fire-offering with clear sankalpa (dedication), then internalize the act as Śiva-arpana—reciting the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as the inner oblation, even when the outward dedication names various Devas.