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 ||
Walaupun seseorang menuangkan persembahan ke dalam api—atau bahkan ke atas tapak tangannya sendiri—dia sesungguhnya seorang berdosa. Apabila api pemujaan harian (upāsanā-agni) diletakkan jauh, masih ada sebahagian dwija yang ingin meneruskan upacara dengan cara yang tidak wajar 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.