Shloka 14
यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः
Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama
पादशौचं तथाभ्यंगं दीपमन्नं प्रतिश्रयम् । यो ददाति सदा व्यास नोपसर्पति तं यमः
pādaśaucaṃ tathābhyaṃgaṃ dīpamannaṃ pratiśrayam | yo dadāti sadā vyāsa nopasarpati taṃ yamaḥ
يا فياسا، إنَّ يَمَا لا يقترب ممن يداوم على إعطاء ما يُغسَل به القدم، وزيت الدهن، وسراج النور، والطعام، والمأوى للآخرين. فهذه الصدقة الثابتة رحمةٌ شيفيّة تُرخِي قيود الـpāśa وتحفظ العابد من خوف الموت.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana; addressing Vyasa within the cited teaching)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga narrative; a dharma-phala assertion that sustained charity (foot-washing resources, oil, lamp, food, shelter) keeps Yama at bay—i.e., reduces fear and suffering associated with death’s jurisdiction.
Significance: Defines a ‘pilgrim-care’ package (water, oil, lamp, food, lodging) as especially meritorious; supports yātrā culture and temple charity halls (sattra/annakṣetra).
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
Cosmic Event: Yama’s approach at death is the implied liminal event (antya-kāla)
FAQs
It teaches that consistent, compassionate giving—basic supports for purity, light, nourishment, and refuge—reduces fear and karmic bondage (pāśa), so the devotee is not overpowered by the terror of death symbolized by Yama.
In Saguna Shiva worship, devotion is not only ritual before the Linga but also seva to living beings; offering lamp, food, and shelter mirrors temple offerings (dīpa and naivedya) and expresses Shiva’s grace through dharmic action.
A practical Shaiva vow: daily or regular dāna—providing water for washing, oil for bathing, a lamp, food, and shelter—performed with Shiva-bhakti (optionally while remembering the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).