Shloka 5

Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna

Devanagari script

नित्य ह्यनुडुहो गावच्छत्रं वस्त्रमुपानहौ । देयानि याचमानेभ्यः पानमन्नं तथैव च

Transliteration

nitya hyanuḍuho gāvacchatraṃ vastramupānahau | deyāni yācamānebhyaḥ pānamannaṃ tathaiva ca

Translation

حقًّا، ينبغي كلَّ يوم أن يُعطى—وخاصةً لمن يسأل—بقرةٌ لم تُحلب، ومظلّة، ولباسٌ، ونعلٌ؛ وكذلك ماءٌ للشرب وطعام. إن هذا العطاء اليومي يطهّر روح الكائن المقيَّد (paśu) ويعضد طريق الدارما الذي يرضى عنه السيّد شيفا.

Word by Word

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kala/Desha (काल/देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभाव (adverbial accusative): 'always'

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• अनुडुहः: bulls/oxen
• अनुडुहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुडुह् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'draft-oxen/bulls' (contextual)

• गावः: cows
• गावः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• छत्रम्: umbrella
• छत्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वस्त्रम्: cloth/garment
• वस्त्रम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उपानहौ: (two) sandals/shoes
• उपानहौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपानह् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; 'pair of sandals/shoes'

• देयानि: should be given
• देयानि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देय (कृदन्त; √दा धातु)
• Form: विधेय/अर्हार्थक कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; predicate: 'should be given'

• याचमानेभ्यः: to the beggars/askers
• याचमानेभ्यः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याचमान (कृदन्त; √याच् धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/सम्प्रदान), बहुवचन; 'to those who are begging'

• पानम्: drink
• पानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तथा: also/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: thus/also)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

Speaker

Lord Shiva (teaching Umā/Parvati on dharma and meritorious conduct)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Daily dāna is presented as caryā (ethical discipline) that attenuates pāśa (bondage) and makes the paśu fit for Śiva’s grace; especially relevant for householders supporting pilgrims, ascetics, and the needy.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse teaches nitya-dāna (daily charity) as a purifier of the soul: by relieving others’ suffering through food, water, and basic necessities, one reduces ego and attachment (pāśa) and cultivates Śiva-pleasing dharma that supports liberation.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Śaiva practice, outer worship of the Liṅga is strengthened by inner virtues; daily giving is a form of lived devotion (bhakti) to Saguna Śiva, honoring Him as present in all beings and making one’s pūjā ethically complete.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is anna-dāna and pāna-dāna as a daily vrata-like discipline; it can be paired with simple Śiva-smaraṇa or japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before giving.