Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 144
नैकवस्त्रश्च भुंजीत नाग्नौ होममथाचरेत् । न चार्चयेद्द्विजान्नैव कुर्याद्देवार्चनं बुधः
naikavastraśca bhuṃjīta nāgnau homamathācaret | na cārcayeddvijānnaiva kuryāddevārcanaṃ budhaḥ
ਬੁੱਧਿਮਾਨ ਭਗਤ ਇਕੋ ਵਸਤ੍ਰ ਪਹਿਨ ਕੇ ਭੋਜਨ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਅਗਨੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਮ ਅਨੁਚਿਤ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ ਨਾ ਕਰੇ। ਮਾਹੇਸ਼ਵਰ ਵਰਤ-ਨਿਯਮ ਭੰਗ ਹੋਣ ਦੀ ਅਵਸਥਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਨ ਦ੍ਵਿਜਾਂ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ-ਰੂਪ ਸਤਕਾਰ ਕਰੇ, ਨ ਹੀ ਦੇਵ-ਆਰਾਧਨਾ ਕਰੇ।
Lomaharṣaṇa (Sūta) to the sages (deduced from Māheśvarakhaṇḍa context)
Listener: Śaiva observer / king addressed as nṛpottama in surrounding verses
Scene: A devotee preparing for Śiva worship adjusts clean garments, sets aside food until properly attired, and arranges homa implements correctly. A brāhmaṇa sits nearby, honored respectfully but not as a substitute ritual when the observer’s discipline is incomplete.
FAQs
Śaiva observance requires disciplined conduct; worship and ritual acts should be done only in a proper, regulated state.
No specific tīrtha is named in this verse; it focuses on vrata-ācāra (discipline) within the Māheśvara tradition.
Guidance is given about when not to perform homa and formal worship, emphasizing correct conditions and restraint.