Shloka 117
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
शमीहोमश्च शांत्यर्थे वृत्त्यर्थे च पलाशकम् । समिदन्नाज्यकैर्द्र व्यैर्नाम्ना मंत्रेण वा हुनेत्
śamīhomaśca śāṃtyarthe vṛttyarthe ca palāśakam | samidannājyakairdra vyairnāmnā maṃtreṇa vā hunet
For the attainment of peace (śānti), one should perform the fire-offering (homa) with śamī-wood; and for prosperity and proper livelihood (vṛtti), with palāśa-wood. Using fuel-sticks, cooked rice, ghee, and other fitting offerings, one should make oblations—either invoking the deity by name or reciting the appropriate mantra.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In the Viśveśvarasaṃhitā’s Kāśī-centered frame, Śiva as Viśveśvara is the lord of the kṣetra who grants śānti and vṛtti through proper rite; homa and mantra are presented as means to align the bound soul’s conduct with the kṣetra’s sanctity.
Significance: Śānti (pacification) and vṛtti (worldly stability) are sought as preparatory fruits that support steadiness in bhakti and eligibility for higher grace in Śiva’s kṣetra.
FAQs
It teaches that outer ritual (homa) is meant to cultivate inner śānti and ordered living (vṛtti), preparing the devotee’s mind for steady Shiva-bhakti and purification—key supports for liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta.
Homa is presented as an auxiliary limb of Saguna Shiva worship: offerings made with Shiva’s name or mantra become an act of devotion that supports Linga-puja by removing obstacles and stabilizing the devotee’s life for regular worship.
Perform a simple homa using śamī wood for peace or palāśa wood for prosperity, offering samid, cooked rice, and ghee while chanting Shiva’s name or an appropriate Shiva-mantra (such as the Panchakshara).