Shloka 17
Pratyakṣa–Āgama–Ācāra: Doubt, Proof, and the Practice of Dharma (प्रत्यक्ष–आगम–आचारविचारः)
खुग्भाण्डपरमा नित्यं त्रेताग्निशरणा: सदा | सन्त: सत्पथनित्या ये ते यान्ति परमां गतिम्
khuḍbhāṇḍa-paramā nityaṃ tretāgni-śaraṇāḥ sadā | santaḥ satpatha-nityā ye te yānti paramāṃ gatim ||
Dijo Maheshvara: «Quienes tienen siempre por supremos sus instrumentos sagrados, quienes se acogen sin cesar a los tres fuegos védicos, quienes permanecen continuamente dedicados a su servicio y caminan firmes por la senda de los buenos—esos hombres virtuosos, entregados a su propio dharma, alcanzan el estado más alto».
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast adherence to dharma—expressed through disciplined maintenance of the Vedic fires, reverence for sacrificial implements, and constant commitment to the righteous path—leads the virtuous to the highest attainment.
Maheshvara is describing the conduct of exemplary householders/ritualists: they keep the three sacred fires, serve them daily, and live by satpatha; as a result, they reach paramā gati, the supreme destination.