Shloka 43
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
इत्युक्त्वा तं शमीगर्भे वह्लिमालक्ष्य देवता:
ity uktvā taṃ śamīgarbhe vahnīm ālakṣya devatāḥ | sarvakarmabhyaḥ śamīm eva agneḥ pavitra-sthānaṃ niyatya | tataḥ prabhṛti agnidevaḥ śamyāḥ antar dṛśyate sma ||
इत्युक्त्वा तं शमीगर्भे वह्निमालक्ष्य देवताः। शमीमेव ततोऽग्नेः पुण्यमायतनमकल्पयन् सर्वकर्मसु; ततः प्रभृति चाप्यग्निः शमीगर्भेषु दृश्यते॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sacred practice is grounded in recognized purity and proper locus: the gods establish the śamī as Agni’s sanctioned abode, implying that ritual efficacy depends on dharmic authorization, purity, and correct tradition rather than mere convenience.
After a prior statement, the gods perceive Agni present within the śamī tree and formally designate the śamī as the pure seat of Agni for all rites; consequently Agni is said to be visibly present within the śamī thereafter.