Shloka 143

उमामहेश्वरव्रतं—पञ्चाक्षरमन्त्रस्य माहात्म्यं, न्यासः, जपविधिः, सदाचारः, विनियोगः

Devanagari script

अस्नात्वा न च भुञ्जीयाद् अजपो ऽग्निमपूज्य च पर्णपृष्ठे न भुञ्जीयाद् रात्रौ दीपं विना तथा

Transliteration

asnātvā na ca bhuñjīyād ajapo 'gnimapūjya ca parṇapṛṣṭhe na bhuñjīyād rātrau dīpaṃ vinā tathā

Translation

Qu’on ne mange pas sans s’être baigné; qu’on ne mange pas non plus sans japa, ni sans avoir d’abord honoré le feu sacré (Agni). Qu’on ne mange pas sur une assiette de feuilles; et la nuit, qu’on ne mange pas sans lampe. Telles sont les disciplines de la juste conduite.

Word by Word

• asnātvā: without bathing

• na: not

• ca: and

• bhuñjīyāt: should eat

• ajapaḥ: without japa (mantra-repetition)

• agnim: the sacred fire (Agni)

• apūjya: without worshipping/honoring

• parṇa-pṛṣṭhe: on the surface of a leaf (leaf-plate)

• rātrau: at night

• dīpam: a lamp/light

• vinā: without

• tathā: likewise/so.

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma instructions to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames eating as an extension of pūjā-discipline: bodily purity (snāna), mantra-remembrance (japa), and honoring Agni support a sattvic state suitable for Shiva-bhakti and Linga-sevā.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it points to Shiva as Pati—the Lord accessed through inner remembrance and outer order: japa aligns the pashu (soul) toward Shiva, while disciplined conduct reduces pasha (bondage) born of negligence and tamas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Daily niyamas linked with Pashupata-leaning practice: snāna (śauca), japa (mantra-yoga), and Agni-upacāra before meals; also the rule of taking food with proper light at night.