Shloka 15
Varṇa-adhikāra, Karma, and the Protection of One’s Attained Spiritual Status (वर्णाधिकारः कर्म च स्वस्थानरक्षणम्)
तेनाग्निमन्त्रपूतात्मा क्षत्त्रियो ब्राह्मणो भवेत् । विधितो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा याजकस्तु प्रजायते
tenāgnimantrapūtātmā kṣattriyo brāhmaṇo bhavet | vidhito brāhmaṇo bhūtvā yājakastu prajāyate
Par ce rite—l’âme purifiée par les mantras d’Agni—un Kṣatriya devient Brāhmaṇa. Devenu Brāhmaṇa selon l’ordonnance prescrite, il est alors reconnu comme yājaka, prêtre officiant qualifié.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that spiritual qualification is rooted in purification (śuddhi) through mantra and prescribed discipline, not merely birth-status—pointing to an inner transformation that makes one fit for sacred service in a Shaiva framework.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly linked with purity of body and mind through mantra and rite; this verse underlines that mantra-purified eligibility is what authorizes one to perform sanctioned worship and sacrificial acts offered to Saguna Shiva.
It points to Agni-mantra practice—typically homa/ritual fire offerings with Vedic mantras—as a means of inner purification leading to eligibility for ordained priestly functions; the takeaway is disciplined mantra-sādhana performed according to vidhi.