Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178
Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa
The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala
होमेन सोमवारे च भवेत्प्राग्वन्न संशयः । खादिरेध्मानले तस्य पंचांगैस्तद्घृताप्लुतैः ॥ १७८ ॥
homena somavāre ca bhavetprāgvanna saṃśayaḥ | khādiredhmānale tasya paṃcāṃgaistadghṛtāplutaiḥ || 178 ||
Dengan melakukan homa pada hari Isnin, seseorang pasti memperoleh hasil seperti yang telah dinyatakan sebelumnya, tanpa syak. Persembahan itu hendaklah dimasukkan ke dalam api yang disuap dengan kayu khadira, menggunakan lima bahagiannya, masing-masing dibasahi ghee.
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)
FAQs
It emphasizes ritual certainty (niścaya) in Vedic practice: a properly performed Somavāra homa yields the previously promised fruit, highlighting the importance of correct time (vāra) and correct materials (khadira fuel, ghee).
Though primarily ritualistic, it supports bhakti indirectly by prescribing disciplined, faith-filled worship through fire-offerings—an outer form that can be aligned with inner devotion and reverence toward the divine.
Kalpa (ritual procedure) is central: weekday selection (Somavāra), prescribed fuel (khadira), and the method of offering (pañcāṅga pieces anointed with ghee) reflect technical ritual correctness.