Shloka 115
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
कुंभस्य पश्चिमे भागे जपांते होममाचरेत् । कोटिं लक्षं सहस्रं वा शतमष्टोत्तरं बुधाः
kuṃbhasya paścime bhāge japāṃte homamācaret | koṭiṃ lakṣaṃ sahasraṃ vā śatamaṣṭottaraṃ budhāḥ
On the western side of the ritual kumbha, when japa is completed, one should perform homa, offering oblations into the sacred fire. The wise prescribe the count as a koṭi, a lakṣa, a thousand, or one hundred and eight—according to one’s capacity and observance.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vidyeshvara Samhita teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
It teaches that mantra-japa should culminate in an act of offering (homa), turning inner repetition into outer surrender—an integrated Shaiva practice where devotion and disciplined action support purification and grace.
The kumbha and homa are supports for Saguna worship—ritual forms that help the devotee concentrate on Lord Shiva’s presence; japa internalizes the Lord, while homa seals the vow through offering and reverence.
Perform mantra-japa (commonly the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and, upon completion, offer homa from the west side of the consecrated kumbha, using an appropriate count such as 108 or higher according to capacity.