Shloka 18
Nārāyaṇopadeśa to Mārkaṇḍeya (Cosmic Self-Identification and Yuga Doctrine) | नारायणोपदेशः
सरस्वत्युवाच न चाशुचिरनप्यिनिर्णिक्तपाणि- नब्रिह्मविज्जुहुयान्नाविपश्चित् | बुभुत्सव: शुचिकामा हि देवा नाश्रद्धानाद्धि हविर्जुषन्ति,सरस्वतीने कहा--मुने! जो अपवित्र है, जिसने हाथ-पैर (भी) नहीं धोये हैं, जो वेदके ज्ञानसे वज्चित है, जिसे वेदार्थका कोई अनुभव नहीं है, ऐसे पुरुषको अग्निमें आहुति नहीं देनी चाहिये। देवता दूसरोंके मनोभावको जाननेकी इच्छा रखते हैं, वे पवित्रता चाहते हैं, अतः: श्रद्धाहीन मनुष्यके दिये हुए हविष्यको ग्रहण नहीं करते हैं
Sarasvaty uvāca—na cāśucir na apy anirṇikta-pāṇir na brahma-vit juhuyān nāvipāścit | bubhutsavaḥ śuci-kāmā hi devā na aśraddadhānād dhi havir juṣanti ||
Sarasvatī said: “One who is impure, or who has not washed his hands (and limbs), who lacks knowledge of the Veda, and who is not discerning in its meaning—such a person should not offer oblations into the sacred fire. The gods seek to know the inner disposition of the worshipper and desire purity; therefore they do not accept the offering made by one who is without faith.”
ताक्ष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ritual action is not merely external: purity (śauca), competence/understanding (Vedic knowledge and discernment), and faith (śraddhā) are essential. Without inner sincerity and cleanliness, offerings are considered ineffective because the gods respond to the worshipper’s intention.
Sarasvatī delivers an instruction on proper sacrificial conduct, warning that an impure or faithless person—especially one lacking Vedic understanding—should not perform fire-offerings, since the gods do not accept oblations offered without purity and faith.