Shloka 1
अग्नियज्ञ-देवयज्ञ-ब्रह्मयज्ञ-गुरुपूजा-क्रमनिरूपणम् / Ordering and Definitions of Agniyajña, Devayajña, Brahmayajña, and Guru-Pūjā
ऋषय ऊचुः । अग्नियज्ञं देवयज्क्तं ब्रह्मयज्क्तं तथैव च । गुरुपूजां ब्रह्मतृप्तिं क्रमेण ब्रूहि नः प्रभो
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | agniyajñaṃ devayajktaṃ brahmayajktaṃ tathaiva ca | gurupūjāṃ brahmatṛptiṃ krameṇa brūhi naḥ prabho
เหล่าฤๅษีกล่าวว่า “ข้าแต่พระผู้เป็นเจ้า โปรดตรัสอธิบายแก่พวกเราตามลำดับถึงอัคนียัญ เดวยัญ พรหมยัญ การบูชาคุรุ และวิธีให้พรหมันผู้สูงสุดทรงพอพระทัย”
The sages (ṛṣis) of Naimiṣāraṇya speaking to Sūta Gosvāmin (implied narrative frame of the Purāṇa)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Represents the seeker’s approach (upasaṃhāra of doubts) to receive ordered instruction—an anugraha-pattern: inquiry → teaching → practice.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It frames a disciplined ladder of practice—ritual (yajña), devotional worship (deva-yajña), sacred study (brahma-yajña), and surrender to the Guru—culminating in what truly pleases the Supreme Reality, understood in Shaiva Siddhanta as Pati (Shiva) granting grace and clarity.
By asking for the correct sequence of worship, the sages imply that outer rites and deity-worship should mature into focused devotion and right knowledge; in the Shiva Purana this culminates naturally in Saguna Shiva-upāsanā such as Linga worship, which purifies the devotee and opens the way to realizing the Supreme.
The verse points to structured sādhana: performing sacred offerings (yajña), daily deity worship, scriptural recitation/study (brahma-yajña), and Guru-sevā; these support mantra-japa and inner contemplation that lead toward Brahman-tṛpti (the Supreme’s satisfaction).