Shloka 17
Pratyakṣa–Āgama–Ācāra: Doubt, Proof, and the Practice of Dharma (प्रत्यक्ष–आगम–आचारविचारः)
खुग्भाण्डपरमा नित्यं त्रेताग्निशरणा: सदा | सन्त: सत्पथनित्या ये ते यान्ति परमां गतिम्
khuḍbhāṇḍa-paramā nityaṃ tretāgni-śaraṇāḥ sadā | santaḥ satpatha-nityā ye te yānti paramāṃ gatim ||
Maheshvara disse: “Aqueles que sempre consideram seus implementos sagrados como supremos, que tomam refúgio continuamente nos três fogos védicos, que permanecem sem cessar a seu serviço e que caminham firmes no caminho dos bons—tais homens virtuosos, devotados ao próprio dharma, alcançam o estado mais elevado.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast adherence to dharma—expressed through disciplined maintenance of the Vedic fires, reverence for sacrificial implements, and constant commitment to the righteous path—leads the virtuous to the highest attainment.
Maheshvara is describing the conduct of exemplary householders/ritualists: they keep the three sacred fires, serve them daily, and live by satpatha; as a result, they reach paramā gati, the supreme destination.