Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 55
Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala
यद्यग्नौ जुहुयाद्वापि पाणौ वा स हि पातकी । उपासनाग्ना दूरस्थे केचिदिच्छंति वै द्विजाः ॥ ५५ ॥
yadyagnau juhuyādvāpi pāṇau vā sa hi pātakī | upāsanāgnā dūrasthe kecidicchaṃti vai dvijāḥ || 55 ||
Seseorang yang mempersembahkan oblation ke dalam api—atau bahkan ke telapak tangannya sendiri—sesungguhnya adalah pelaku dosa. Namun ketika api pemujaan harian diletakkan jauh, sebagian dvija tetap ingin melanjutkan ritus dengan cara yang tidak patut itu.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It stresses ritual integrity: sacred offerings must follow dharmic procedure, and treating oblations casually—especially when one neglects the properly maintained worship-fire—becomes a moral and spiritual fault (pātaka).
Bhakti is not merely intention; it includes reverent discipline. Proper care of the upāsanā-agni reflects steadiness (niyama) and respect for sacred practice, which supports sincere devotion rather than convenient ritualism.
It points to Kalpa (Vedanga of ritual procedure): correct performance of offerings and the proper maintenance/placement of the household worship-fire (upāsanā-agni) are essential for valid rites.