Shloka 24

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

व्रतं सुविपुलं पुण्यं नन्दिना परिभाषितम् मार्गशीर्षकमासे ऽथ वृषं पूर्णाङ्गमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

vrataṃ suvipulaṃ puṇyaṃ nandinā paribhāṣitam mārgaśīrṣakamāse 'tha vṛṣaṃ pūrṇāṅgamuttamam

Translation

قد شرح ناندين نذرًا مقدّسًا (vrata) واسعًا عظيمَ الثواب. ثم في شهر مارجشيرشا (Mārgaśīrṣa) ينبغي أن تُقدَّم ثورٌ ممتازٌ كاملُ الأعضاء—عطيّةٌ مباركةٌ توافق عبادةَ شِيفا—لكي يتقدّم الباشو (paśu)، أي الروح المقيَّدة، نحو نعمةِ الربّ، البَتي (Pati).

Word by Word

• व्रतम्: sacred observance/vow

• सुविपुलम्: very extensive/abundant

• पुण्यम्: meritorious, purifying

• नन्दिना: by Nandin (Śiva’s chief gaṇa)

• परिभाषितम्: explained, prescribed

• मार्गशीर्षक-मासे: in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa

• अथ: then/thereafter

• वृषम्: bull

• पूर्ण-अङ्गम्: having all limbs complete, unblemished

• उत्तमम्: excellent, best

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Nandin’s injunctions within the discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Nandin
• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It links Liṅga-pūjā with a specific Shaiva vrata taught by Nandin and prescribes vṛṣa-dāna (gift of a flawless bull) in Mārgaśīrṣa as a high-merit act supporting Śiva’s worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who receives worship through disciplined vrata and purifying gifts; such acts are presented as means for the paśu (individual soul) to become fit for Śiva’s grace and release from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Shaiva vrata (regulated observance) combined with dāna—specifically offering a fully healthy bull in Mārgaśīrṣa—functioning as a purificatory discipline supportive of Pāśupata-oriented devotion.