If, during the sacred ritual, only a single substance is available for offering, it should be given with deep faith. Should atonement be needed, the prescribed mantra must be recited and the offering made three times again. The ritual continues with the devotee filling the ladle with clarified butter, specially prepared for the sacrifice, and placing a flower at its tip. The ladle is held downward, and, covering it with darbha grass—its root end raised in joined palms—the devotee pours the offering in a steady stream, no thicker than a barley stalk, while uttering the sacred sound, “Vauṣaṭ.” After this complete offering, the area is sprinkled with water as before. The Lord of the gods is formally dismissed, and the sacrificial fire is carefully protected. Once the fire itself has been ritually dismissed, worship is performed at the navel, with implements arranged daily. Alternatively, the fire may be brought forth and the proceedings continued as prescribed in the scriptures of Śiva. The fire—born from the union of speech and mind—is properly prepared, and worship is conducted according to the sacred rules. The fuel is placed anew, and the enclosing sticks are arranged with care. The ritual vessels are set in pairs, Śiva is worshipped, and the sprinkling vessel is purified and used to sanctify all implements. A vessel for bringing water is placed in the northeast, filled with pure water. The rites proceed up to the consecration of the ghee, after which the garland and ladle are purified. The ceremonies of conception, quickening, and parting of the hair are performed and their offerings made separately, all while meditating upon the newly kindled fire. The fire is visualized with reverence: possessing three feet, seven hands, four horns, and two heads; honey-colored, three-eyed, with matted locks and the crescent moon adorning its crest. Its form is red, clothed in red garments and unguents, decorated with garlands and ornaments, marked by all auspicious signs, and adorned with the sacred thread and three girdles. Empowered, it holds the ladle and spoon in the right hand, as well as a spear, a palm-leaf fan, a vessel of ghee, and other implements. Having meditated thus upon the fire’s birth-form, the birth rites are performed. After removing the impurity of birth and purifying the area, the naming ceremony is omitted. The mouth of the fire is made radiant, like the fire of Śiva, and the first offerings are made. Then follow the ancestral rites, and the ceremonies of shaving and initiation. The rites continue up to the conclusion of the Aptoryāma sacrifice. Sanctification is performed, followed by the offering of clarified butter and the sviṣṭakṛt oblation. The devotee sprinkles with the seed-mantra “ram,” then offers worship to Brahma, Viṣṇu, Śiva, the Lords of the worlds, and the guardians. Weapons are ritually established in all directions, and worship proceeds in the proper sequence. For incense, lamps, and similar offerings, the ritual expert kindles the fire. The substances for offering, beginning with clarified butter, are prepared, and the seat is arranged again. The fire is invoked as before. Śiva and the Goddess are worshipped, after which the completion rite is performed. Alternatively, according to one’s own stage of life (āśrama), the fire ritual is dedicated to Śiva. One established in the understanding of Śiva should perform the rite—there is no other way. The ashes from the Śiva fire, or from the agnihotra, are to be collected. Alternatively, ashes from the marriage fire—pure and fragrant—or the dung of a tawny cow, well-formed and caught as it falls, may be used. The chosen material should not be moist, too hard, foul-smelling, or dried out. Discarding the upper and lower portions, only the suitable part is taken. This is formed into a lump and cast into the Śiva fire with the root mantra. Only the white ash is taken, discarding anything undercooked or overcooked. The ash is then mixed and placed in a holder—be it metallic, wooden, earthen, or stone. Alternatively, another beautiful and pure ash-holder is prepared. In a suitable, auspicious, and clean place, this precious ash is deposited. The ash must not be given to the unqualified, nor placed on impure surfaces; it should not be touched with unclean limbs, neglected, or stepped over. Once collected, it is consecrated with mantras at the prescribed times, never elsewhere, nor given to those unworthy. Ash should be collected before the deity is dismissed; after that, the fierce ash belongs to Prajāpati. After the fire ritual, according to the path of the Śiva scriptures or one’s own tradition, the offering rite is performed. A seat of knowledge is established within a well-prepared circle, and the repository of knowledge is honored with flowers and other offerings in the proper order. The diagram of the teacher is placed before the diagram of the mantra, and an excellent seat is arranged for the teacher, who is worshipped with flowers and other offerings. Next, those worthy of worship are honored, and the hungry are fed. Only then does the devotee partake of pure food as desired. What has been offered to the deity, and what remains, should be taken for one’s own purification, with faith, never out of greed, nor given to the unworthy. The same principle applies to sandalwood, garlands, and similar offerings. Yet, the wise should not imagine themselves to be Śiva in this context. After eating and rinsing the mouth, the devotee meditates on Śiva in the heart, recites the root mantra, and spends the remainder of the time in telling the stories and teachings of Śiva. When the first part of the night has passed, a delightful worship is performed, and a beautiful resting place is arranged for Śiva and the Goddess. All enjoyable foods, garments, ointments, flower garlands, and the like—whether in thought or action—are offered, making everything pleasing. Then, the householder, together with his wife, sleeps in purity at the feet of the Lord and the Goddess; others sleep alone. At dawn, upon awakening, one utters the first measure of the day, bowing mentally to the imperishable Lord with Uma and His attendants. Having performed the appropriate acts of purity according to place, time, and ability, the devotee awakens the Lord and the Goddess with the divine sounds of conch and other instruments, thus continuing the cycle of sacred worship.