The Fire-Sacrifice and Related Rites

Verse 1 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः । अग्नियज्ञं देवयज्ञं ब्रह्मयज्ञं तथैव च । गुरुपूजां ब्रह्मतृप्तिं क्रमेण ब्रूहि नः प्रभो

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ agniyajñaṁ devayajñaṁ brahmayajñaṁ tathaiva ca gurupūjāṁ brahmatṛptiṁ krameṇa brūhi naḥ prabho

The sages said: O Lord, tell us in order about the fire-sacrifice, the sacrifice to the gods, the sacrifice of Vedic study, the worship of the guru, and the satisfaction of brahmanas.

Verse 2 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.2)

सूत उवाच । अग्नौ जुहोति यद्द्रव्यमग्नियज्ञः स उच्यते । ब्रह्मचर्याश्रमस्थानां समिदाधानमेव हि

sūta uvāca agnau juhoti yaddravyamagniyajñaḥ sa ucyate brahmacaryāśramasthānāṁ samidādhānameva hi

Suta said: Whatever substance is offered into the fire is called the agni-yajna, the fire-sacrifice. For those in the celibate student stage of life, it takes the form of offering sacred fuel-sticks,

Verse 3 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.3)

समिदग्नै व्रताद्यं च विशेषयजनादिकम् । प्रथमाश्रमिणामेवं यावदौपासनं द्विजाः

samidagnai vratādyaṁ ca viśeṣayajanādikam prathamāśramiṇāmevaṁ yāvadaupāsanaṁ dvijāḥ

the offering of fuel-sticks, the keeping of vows, and special sacrificial rites. O brahmanas, in this first stage of life, it continues up to the maintenance of the domestic fire.

Verse 4 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.4)

आत्मन्यारोपिताग्नीनां वनिनां यतिनां द्विजाः । हितं च मितमेध्यान्नं स्वकाले भोजनं हुतिः

ātmanyāropitāgnīnāṁ vanināṁ yatināṁ dvijāḥ hitaṁ ca mitamedhyānnaṁ svakāle bhojanaṁ hutiḥ

O brahmanas, for forest-dwellers and ascetics who have internalized the sacred fire within themselves, beneficial, moderate and pure food, eaten at its proper time, is itself their oblation.

Verse 5 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.5)

औपासनाग्निसन्धानं समारभ्य सुरक्षितम् । कुण्डे वाप्यथ भाण्डे वा तदजस्रं समीरितम्

aupāsanāgnisandhānaṁ samārabhya surakṣitam kuṇḍe vāpyatha bhāṇḍe vā tadajasraṁ samīritam

Beginning with the careful maintenance of the domestic fire, well protected, whether in a ritual fire-pit or in a vessel, it is declared to be kept unceasingly.

Verse 6 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.6)

अग्निमात्मन्यरण्यां वा राजदैववशाद् ध्रुवम् । अग्नित्यागभयादुक्तं समारोपितमुच्यते

agnimātmanyaraṇyāṁ vā rājadaivavaśād dhruvam agnityāgabhayāduktaṁ samāropitamucyate

When compelled by royal decree or by fate, carrying the fire within oneself or into the forest is indeed declared permissible; out of the fear of abandoning the fire, this is called 'internalized.'

Verse 7 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.7)

सम्पत्करी तथा ज्ञेया सायमग्न्याहुतिर्द्विजाः । आयुष्करीति विज्ञेया प्रातः सूर्याहुतिस्तथा

sampatkarī tathā jñeyā sāyamagnyāhutirdvijāḥ āyuṣkarīti vijñeyā prātaḥ sūryāhutistathā

O brahmanas, the evening oblation to fire should be known to bestow prosperity, and the morning oblation to the sun should be known to bestow long life.

Verse 8 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.8)

अग्नियज्ञो ह्ययं प्रोक्तो दिवा सूर्यनिवेशनात् । इन्द्रादीन्सकलान्देवानुद्दिश्याग्नौ जुहोति यत्

agniyajño hyayaṁ prokto divā sūryaniveśanāt indrādīnsakalāndevānuddiśyāgnau juhoti yat

This is called the fire-sacrifice because of the sun's presence there by day. Whatever oblation is offered into the fire with Indra and all the other gods in mind,

Verse 9 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.9)

देवयज्ञं हि तं विद्यात्स्थालीपाकादिकान्क्रतून् । चौलादिकं तथा ज्ञेयं लौकिकाग्नौ प्रतिष्ठितम्

devayajñaṁ hi taṁ vidyātsthālīpākādikānkratūn caulādikaṁ tathā jñeyaṁ laukikāgnau pratiṣṭhitam

should be known as the deva-yajna, the sacrifice to the gods — including rites such as the sthalipaka. The tonsure ceremony and similar rites should likewise be known as established in the ordinary household fire.

Verse 10 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.10)

ब्रह्मयज्ञं द्विजः कुर्याद् देवानां तृप्तयेऽसकृत् । ब्रह्मयज्ञ इति प्रोक्तो वेदस्याध्ययनं भवेत्

brahmayajñaṁ dvijaḥ kuryād devānāṁ tṛptaye ’sakṛt brahmayajña iti prokto vedasyādhyayanaṁ bhavet

A twice-born should repeatedly perform the brahma-yajna, for the satisfaction of the gods. That which is called the brahma-yajna is nothing other than the study of the Veda.

Verse 11 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.11)

नित्यानन्तरमासायं ततस्तु न विधीयते । अनग्नौ देवयजनं शृणुत श्रद्धयादरात्

nityānantaramāsāyaṁ tatastu na vidhīyate anagnau devayajanaṁ śṛṇuta śraddhayādarāt

It is not further enjoined to repeat it again and again after the daily rites. Now listen, with faith and reverence, to an account of the worship of the gods performed without fire.

Verse 12 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.12)

आदिसृष्टौ महादेवः सर्वज्ञः करुणाकरः । सर्वलोकोपकारार्थं वारान्कल्पितवान्प्रभुः

ādisṛṣṭau mahādevaḥ sarvajñaḥ karuṇākaraḥ sarvalokopakārārthaṁ vārānkalpitavānprabhuḥ

At the beginning of creation, Mahadeva, the omniscient and compassionate Lord, established the days of the week for the benefit of all the worlds.

Verse 13 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.13)

संसारवैद्यः सर्वज्ञः सर्वभेषजभेषजम् । आदावारोग्यदं वारं स्ववारं कृतवान्प्रभुः

saṁsāravaidyaḥ sarvajñaḥ sarvabheṣajabheṣajam ādāvārogyadaṁ vāraṁ svavāraṁ kṛtavānprabhuḥ

The Lord, the physician of worldly existence, the omniscient one, the very medicine of all medicines, first made His own day, Sunday, one that bestows health.

Verse 14 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.14)

सम्पत्कारं स्वमायाया वारं च कृतवांस्ततः । जनने दुर्गतिक्रान्ते कुमारस्य ततः परम्

sampatkāraṁ svamāyāyā vāraṁ ca kṛtavāṁstataḥ janane durgatikrānte kumārasya tataḥ param

Then He made the day of His own Maya, the Moon — Monday — one that bestows prosperity; and after that, the day of Kumara, Mars — Tuesday — for overcoming the misfortunes of birth.

Verse 15 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.15)

आलस्यदुरितक्रान्त्यै वारं कल्पितवान्प्रभुः । रक्षकस्य तथा विष्णोर्लोकानां हितकाम्यया

ālasyaduritakrāntyai vāraṁ kalpitavānprabhuḥ rakṣakasya tathā viṣṇorlokānāṁ hitakāmyayā

The Lord established that day for overcoming laziness and misfortune; and, out of desire for the welfare of the worlds, He also established the day of the Protector, Vishnu — Wednesday —

Verse 16 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.16)

पुष्ट्यर्थं चैव रक्षार्थं वारं कल्पितवान्प्रभुः । आयुष्करं ततो वारमायुषां कर्तुरेव हि

puṣṭyarthaṁ caiva rakṣārthaṁ vāraṁ kalpitavānprabhuḥ āyuṣkaraṁ tato vāramāyuṣāṁ kartureva hi

for the sake of nourishment and protection. Then He made the day that bestows long life — Thursday — ruled by the very lord of lifespans,

Verse 17 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.17)

त्रैलोक्यसृष्टिकर्तुर्हि ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः । जगदायुष्यसिद्ध्यर्थं वारं कल्पितवान्प्रभुः

trailokyasṛṣṭikarturhi brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ jagadāyuṣyasiddhyarthaṁ vāraṁ kalpitavānprabhuḥ

the creator of the three worlds, Brahma Parameshthin — the Lord established this day for the attainment of long life for the world.

Verse 18 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.18)

आदौ त्रैलोक्यवृद्ध्यर्थं पुण्यपापे प्रकल्पिते । तयोः कर्त्रोस्ततो वारमिन्द्रस्य च यमस्य च

ādau trailokyavṛddhyarthaṁ puṇyapāpe prakalpite tayoḥ kartrostato vāramindrasya ca yamasya ca

At first, for the increase of the three worlds, merit and sin were established; then the days of Indra — Friday — and Yama — Saturday — the dispensers of these two, were established,

Verse 19 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.19)

भोगप्रदं मृत्युहरं लोकानां च प्रकल्पितम् । आदित्यादीन्स्वस्वरूपान्सुखदुःखस्य सूचकान्

bhogapradaṁ mṛtyuharaṁ lokānāṁ ca prakalpitam ādityādīnsvasvarūpānsukhaduḥkhasya sūcakān

one bestowing enjoyment, the other removing untimely death, established for the good of the worlds. Having thus first established the Sun and the other planetary deities, each in his own form, as indicators of happiness and sorrow,

Verse 20 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.20)

वारेशान्कल्पयित्वादौ ज्योतिश्चक्रे प्रतिष्ठितान् । स्वस्ववारे हि तेषां तु पूजा स्वस्वफलप्रदा

vāreśānkalpayitvādau jyotiścakre pratiṣṭhitān svasvavāre hi teṣāṁ tu pūjā svasvaphalapradā

as the lords of the days, established within the wheel of the luminaries — worship of each of them on his own day bestows its own particular fruit.

Verse 21 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.21)

आरोग्यं सम्पदश्चैव व्याधीनां शान्तिरेव च । पुष्टिरायुस्तथा भोगो मृतेर्हानिर्यथाक्रमम्

ārogyaṁ sampadaścaiva vyādhīnāṁ śāntireva ca puṣṭirāyustathā bhogo mṛterhāniryathākramam

Health, prosperity, the pacification of disease, nourishment, long life, enjoyment, and the removal of untimely death — these, in due order,

Verse 22 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.22)

वारक्रमफलं प्राहुर्देवप्रीतिपुरःसरम् । अन्येषामपि देवानां पूजायाः फलदः शिवः

vārakramaphalaṁ prāhurdevaprītipuraḥsaram anyeṣāmapi devānāṁ pūjāyāḥ phaladaḥ śivaḥ

are said to be the fruit that follows from each day, contingent upon devotion to that day's deity. Even for the worship of other gods, Shiva Himself is the true giver of fruit.

Verse 23 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.23)

देवानां प्रीतये पूजा पञ्चधैव प्रकल्पिता । तत्तन्मन्त्रजपो होमो दानं चैव तपस्तथा

devānāṁ prītaye pūjā pañcadhaiva prakalpitā tattanmantrajapo homo dānaṁ caiva tapastathā

Worship for the pleasure of the gods is declared to be fivefold: recitation of the respective mantra, fire-offering, charity, and austerity,

Verse 24 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.24)

स्थण्डिले प्रतिमायां च ह्यग्नौ ब्राह्मणविग्रहे । समाराधनमित्येवं षोडशैरुपचारकैः

sthaṇḍile pratimāyāṁ ca hyagnau brāhmaṇavigrahe samārādhanamityevaṁ ṣoḍaśairupacārakaiḥ

and worship performed upon a bare altar, upon an image, in fire, or in the person of a brahmana — this fivefold worship is performed with the sixteen ritual offerings.

Verse 25 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.25)

उत्तरोत्तरवैशिष्ट्यात्पूर्वाभावे तथोत्तरम् । नेत्रयोः शिरसो रोगे तथा कुष्ठस्य शान्तये

uttarottaravaiśiṣṭyātpūrvābhāve tathottaram netrayoḥ śiraso roge tathā kuṣṭhasya śāntaye

Each subsequent form of worship is superior to the one before it, and in the absence of the earlier one, the next should be adopted. For the pacification of eye disease, head disease, and leprosy,

Verse 26 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.26)

आदित्यं पूजयित्वा तु ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेत्ततः । दिनं मासं तथा वर्षं वर्षत्रयमथवापि वा

ādityaṁ pūjayitvā tu brāhmaṇānbhojayettataḥ dinaṁ māsaṁ tathā varṣaṁ varṣatrayamathavāpi vā

one should worship the Sun and then feed brahmanas — for a day, a month, a year, or even for three years.

Verse 27 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.27)

प्रारब्धं प्रबलं चेत्स्यान्नश्येद् रोगजरादिकम् । जपाद्यमिष्टदेवस्य वारादीनां फलं विदुः

prārabdhaṁ prabalaṁ cetsyānnaśyed rogajarādikam japādyamiṣṭadevasya vārādīnāṁ phalaṁ viduḥ

Even if the effects of prarabdha karma are powerful, disease, old age and the like are destroyed. The fruit of recitation for one's chosen deity, and of worship on the days, is to be known in this same way.

Verse 28 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.28)

पापशान्तिर्विशेषेण ह्यादिवारे निवेदयेत् । आदित्यस्यैव देवानां ब्राह्मणानां विशिष्टदम्

pāpaśāntirviśeṣeṇa hyādivāre nivedayet ādityasyaiva devānāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ viśiṣṭadam

For the special pacification of sin, one should make offering on Sunday, the first of the days; this is especially efficacious, offered to the Sun, to the gods, and to brahmanas.

Verse 29 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.29)

सोमवारे च लक्ष्म्यादीन्सम्पदर्थं यजेद् बुधः । आज्यान्नेन तथा विप्रान्सपत्नीकांश्च भोजयेत्

somavāre ca lakṣmyādīnsampadarthaṁ yajed budhaḥ ājyānnena tathā viprānsapatnīkāṁśca bhojayet

On Monday, the wise should worship Lakshmi and the other goddesses for the sake of prosperity, and should feed brahmanas, together with their wives, with food and ghee.

Verse 30 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.30)

काल्यादीन्भौमवारे तु यजेद् रोगप्रशान्तये । माषमुद्गाढकान्नेन ब्राह्मणांश्चैव भोजयेत्

kālyādīnbhaumavāre tu yajed rogapraśāntaye māṣamudgāḍhakānnena brāhmaṇāṁścaiva bhojayet

On Tuesday, Kali and the other fierce goddesses should be worshipped for the pacification of disease, and brahmanas should be fed with food of black gram, mung, and pigeon-peas.

Verse 31 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.31)

सौम्यवारे तथा विष्णुं दध्यन्नेन यजेद्बुधः । पुत्रमित्रकलत्रादिपुष्टिर्भवति सर्वदा

saumyavāre tathā viṣṇuṁ dadhyannena yajedbudhaḥ putramitrakalatrādipuṣṭirbhavati sarvadā

On Wednesday, the wise should worship Vishnu with food and curds; thereby the increase of sons, friends, wife and the like always comes about.

Verse 32 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.32)

आयुष्कामो गुरोर्वारे देवानां पुष्टिसिद्धये । उपवीतेन वस्त्रेण क्षीराज्येन यजेद् बुधः

āyuṣkāmo gurorvāre devānāṁ puṣṭisiddhaye upavītena vastreṇa kṣīrājyena yajed budhaḥ

One who desires long life should, on Thursday, worship wisely with a sacred thread, cloth, milk and ghee, for the fulfillment of the gods' nourishment.

Verse 33 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.33)

भोगार्थं भृगुवारे तु यजेद् देवान्समाहितः । षड्रसोपेतमन्नं च दद्याद् ब्राह्मणतृप्तये

bhogārthaṁ bhṛguvāre tu yajed devānsamāhitaḥ ṣaḍrasopetamannaṁ ca dadyād brāhmaṇatṛptaye

For the sake of enjoyment, on Friday, one should worship the gods with a composed mind, and give food endowed with all six flavors, for the satisfaction of brahmanas.

Verse 34 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.34)

स्त्रीणां च तृप्तये तद्वद् देयं वस्त्रादिकं शुभम् । अपमृत्युहरे मन्दे रुद्रादींश्च यजेद् बुधः

strīṇāṁ ca tṛptaye tadvad deyaṁ vastrādikaṁ śubham apamṛtyuhare mande rudrādīṁśca yajed budhaḥ

Likewise, auspicious clothing and the like should be given for the satisfaction of women. On Saturday, for the removal of untimely death, the wise should worship Rudra and the other deities,

Verse 35 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.35)

तिलहोमेन दानेन तिलान्नेन च भोजयेत् । इत्थं यजेच्च विबुधानारोग्यादिफलं लभेत्

tilahomena dānena tilānnena ca bhojayet itthaṁ yajecca vibudhānārogyādiphalaṁ labhet

with an oblation of sesame, with charity, and should feed them with food of sesame. Thus worshipping the gods in this way, one obtains health and similar fruits.

Verse 36 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.36)

देवानां नित्ययजने विशेषयजनेऽपि च । स्नाने दाने जपे होमे ब्राह्मणानां च तर्पणे

devānāṁ nityayajane viśeṣayajane ’pi ca snāne dāne jape home brāhmaṇānāṁ ca tarpaṇe

In the daily worship of the gods, and likewise in special worship, in bathing, in charity, in recitation, in fire-offering, and in the satisfaction of brahmanas,

Verse 37 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.37)

तिथिनक्षत्रयोगे च तत्तद्देवप्रपूजने । आदिवारादिवारेषु सर्वज्ञो जगदीश्वरः

tithinakṣatrayoge ca tattaddevaprapūjane ādivārādivāreṣu sarvajño jagadīśvaraḥ

in observing conjunctions of tithi and nakshatra, in the worship of each deity, on Sunday and the other days — the omniscient Lord of the universe,

Verse 38 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.38)

ततद्रुपेण सर्वेषामारोग्यादिफलप्रदः । देशकालानुसारेण तथा पात्रानुसारतः

tatadrupeṇa sarveṣāmārogyādiphalapradaḥ deśakālānusāreṇa tathā pātrānusārataḥ

in each such form, bestows upon all their fruit of health and the rest — according to the appropriate place and time, and according to the fitness of the recipient,

Verse 39 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.39)

द्रव्यं श्रद्धानुसारेण तथा लोकानुसारतः । तारतम्यक्रमाद् देवस्त्वारोग्यादीन्प्रयच्छति

dravyaṁ śraddhānusāreṇa tathā lokānusārataḥ tāratamyakramād devastvārogyādīnprayacchati

and according to the substance offered, in keeping with one's faith and worldly custom — the Deity bestows health and the other fruits in graded proportion.

Verse 40 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.40)

शुभादावशुभान्ते च जन्मर्क्षेषु गृहे गृही । आरोग्यादिसमृद्ध्यर्थमादित्यादीन्ग्रहान्यजेत्

śubhādāvaśubhānte ca janmarkṣeṣu gṛhe gṛhī ārogyādisamṛddhyarthamādityādīngrahānyajet

At the beginning of an auspicious period and at the end of an inauspicious one, and under the stars of one's own birth, the householder should worship the Sun and the other planetary deities at home, for the sake of health and prosperity.

Verse 41 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.41)

तस्माद्वै देवयजनं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदम् । समन्त्रकं ब्राह्मणानामन्येषां चैव तान्त्रिकम्

tasmādvai devayajanaṁ sarvābhīṣṭaphalapradam samantrakaṁ brāhmaṇānāmanyeṣāṁ caiva tāntrikam

Therefore, worship of the gods indeed bestows every desired fruit — with Vedic mantras for brahmanas, and with tantric rites for others.

Verse 42 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.42)

यथाशक्त्यनुरूपेण कर्तव्यं सर्वदा नरैः । सप्तस्वपि च वारेषु नरैः शुभफलेप्सुभिः

yathāśaktyanurūpeṇa kartavyaṁ sarvadā naraiḥ saptasvapi ca vāreṣu naraiḥ śubhaphalepsubhiḥ

This should always be performed by people according to their own ability. Those desiring auspicious fruit should perform this worship on all seven days —

Verse 43 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.43)

दरिद्रस्तपसा देवान्यजेदाढ्यो धनेन हि । पुनश्चैवंविधं धर्मं कुरुते श्रद्धया सह

daridrastapasā devānyajedāḍhyo dhanena hi punaścaivaṁvidhaṁ dharmaṁ kurute śraddhayā saha

the poor worshipping the gods through austerity, the wealthy through material wealth. One who continues to perform such dharma with faith,

Verse 44 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.44)

पुनश्च भोगान्विविधान्भुक्त्वा भूमौ प्रजायते । छायां जलाशयं ब्रह्मप्रतिष्ठां धर्मसञ्चयम्

punaśca bhogānvividhānbhuktvā bhūmau prajāyate chāyāṁ jalāśayaṁ brahmapratiṣṭhāṁ dharmasañcayam

having enjoyed manifold pleasures, is born again upon the earth in favorable circumstances. Shelters and gardens, reservoirs of water, the installation of sacred images, and the accumulation of merit —

Verse 45 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.45)

सर्वं च वित्तवान्कुर्यात्सदा भोगप्रसिद्धये । कालाच्च पुण्यपाकेन ज्ञानसिद्धिः प्रजायते

sarvaṁ ca vittavānkuryātsadā bhogaprasiddhaye kālācca puṇyapākena jñānasiddhiḥ prajāyate

all these the wealthy should always establish, for the attainment of enjoyment. And, in time, through the ripening of merit, the attainment of knowledge comes about.

Verse 46 (shiva.vidyeshvara.14.46)

य इमं शृणुतेऽध्यायं पठते वा नरो द्विजाः । श्रवणस्योपकर्ता च देवयज्ञफलं लभेत्

ya imaṁ śṛṇute ’dhyāyaṁ paṭhate vā naro dvijāḥ śravaṇasyopakartā ca devayajñaphalaṁ labhet

O brahmanas, whoever hears or recites this chapter, and whoever helps another to hear it, obtains the fruit of the sacrifice to the gods.